Although the transfer window does not technically open until July 1st, several Premier League clubs have already begun their summer recruitment process. Here are a list of five completed transfers that have the potential to make a major impact on their new teams.
Asmir Begovic to Bournemouth – £11 million
Due to the high-profile nature of the Jordan Pickford transfer to Everton, Begovic’s move to Bournemouth fell under the radar. Perhaps this is not surprising, considering he has rarely featured for Chelsea in the past two years due to the presence of the world class Thibaut Courtois.
Nevertheless, he established himself as a solid Premier League goalkeeper during his time at Stoke, his shot-stopping skills and reflexes were particularly impressive, and he will have to utilise these skills because of the expansive way which Eddie Howe sets up his team.
Last season they conceded 57 goals, despite finishing ninth in the league, though they have upgraded their goalkeeping standards with the addition of Begovic, one would expect the goals conceded to decrease next season.
Bernardo Silva to Manchester City – £43 million
The biggest signing of the summer in monetary terms also has the potential to be the most exciting. Bernardo Silva was a key part of the enthralling Monaco side that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and won Ligue 1 last season, whilst playing high-tempo attacking football.
Silva himself played on the right side of midfield, where his ability to cut inside opened space for the onrushing full back, as well as providing Silva with the opportunity to play in one of the two strikers with a trademark incisive through ball.
He thrived in this role, and he may be given a near – identical one at Manchester City. Frankly, an attack consisting of Leroy Sané, Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero and Silva has the potential to be spellbinding, and Silva can help ensure they have the best forward line in the League. However, with so many attacking talents in his squad, we will have to wait and see whether Silva even plays regularly, let alone in his favoured position.
Ederson to Manchester City – £35 million
Pep Guardiola was rightly criticised for his goalkeeping decisions last season. His intent on finding a ball – playing ‘keeper is completely justified, but surely it is a priority to find one with good reflexes first? With Joe Hart set to leave, Caballero gone and Claudio Bravo simply not good enough, Guardiola has spent a record fee on Benfica ‘keeper Ederson.
Despite only playing 37 league games for Benfica, he has gained a reputation for being a superb passer of the ball, so in theory he is Guardiola’s dream goalkeeper. However, the high tempo nature of the Premier League can catch ‘sweeper – keepers’ out, as Bravo found to his demise last season.
How Ederson copes with a new league whilst enforcing Guardiola’s passing game will be very interesting, but it may take time for a such a young goalkeeper to fully adapt to the rigour of the Premier League.
Victor Lindelöf to Manchester United – £30.7 million
Mourinho pulled out of a January move for Lindelöf due to the fine form of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, however, several defensive injuries meant Mourinho was severely short of options at times. The consensus in the football community is that Mourinho wishes to find a long-term partner for the talented Eric Bailly, and he may have found one in Lindelöf.
At only 22, he already made an impressive 48 league appearances for Benfica, and he earned numerous suitors around Europe. Alternatively, it will be curious to see whether Mourinho uses him as an Ivanovic-esque right back, whilst finding someone else to partner Bailly. Either way it is very difficult for a foreign defender to acclimatise to the physical nature of the Premier League, some figure it out faster than others, can Lindelöf do so?
Davy Klaassen – £23.6 million to Everton
The former Ajax captain was the oldest in Ajax’s incredibly youthful squad, and he was the keystone of their Europa League run before they lost to Man United in the final. Primarily an attacking midfielder, he scored 20 goals last season from midfield – a rare talent that should be cherished and harnessed by Everton.
However, although he has undoubted talent, £25 million is a =n incredibly large fee for Everton, so he will be under considerable pressure to perform as soon as the league gets under way.
Many expensive recruits from the Eredivisie have struggled in the Premier League, such as Vincent Janseen and Luuk de Jong, but Klaassen will be under the tutelage of the outstanding Ronald Koeman, consequently he should be able to cope with the pressure and perform for Everton despite the inevitable looming shadow of his transfer fee.
Written by Sam Thomas.
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