Summer Signings rated...

We are only eleven games in, but it is the international break so lets rate and slate the summer business...

The Good
Emile Smith Rowe has gone to Fulham and been very impressive. It was a good window for the Cottagers, with Joachim Anderson and Sander Berge making them difficult to beat. 7th place is the reward.

Serbian centre back Nikola Milenkovic has had instant impact. His performances have helped Forest look solid and they sit an impressive 5th with the second best defensive record in the league.

Evanilson had a slow start to his PL career, with a penalty miss against Chelsea summing it up. However, he has found form, 3 goals in the last 3 games and is beginning to look the real deal for Bournemouth.

Only a loan, but getting a Brighton prospect is always a good risk, and Facundo Buonanotte has proved a hit for Leicester. Despite their struggles, the Argentinian has 3 goals and 2 assists so far.


The Bad
Joshua Zirkzee really stands-out. His only goal was a fluke on day 1, and his most memorable moment arguably was denying United a goal with an on the goal-line touch in an offside position. He doesn't look made for the PL. However... new manager new beginnings!

Chelsea were one of the busiest clubs, but none of their summer signings have established themselves in the XI - although Neto is beginning to. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, though, looks further away each week, not even starting in the Conference league. It was a strange signing at the time, given Chelsea's depth, and KDH looks nowhere near challenging for a start. In truth, Chelsea could have signed no-one in the summer and Maresca still had more than enough to do his job.

Niclas Fullkrug embodies West Hams start to the season. From scoring in the CL final to failing to impact at the Hammers and then suffering an injury that has kept him out since September. I don't like including injured players in flops, but he showed very little in his 4 appearances to suggest he will succeed at WHU, and once again Antonio is their main striker. When a club like West Ham sign a 31 year old, German international, experienced player you really need him to hit the ground running

The haven't been terrible but yet to justify the price and/or hype
Savinho mirrors City really, started off promising but has struggled to make an impact of late.
Dominic Solanke has 4 PL goals, but should Spurs expect more from him for his price? Yes, imo.
Mikel Merino had the misfortune of picking up an injury in his first training session and has yet to get up to pace. Riccardo Calafiori is in a similar position.
Elsewhere, Villa spent a hefty sum on Ian Maatsen, but he has failed to break into the starting XI. In my opinion Yankuba Minteh doesn't look a €35m player at Brighton, while €52 for Joao Felix to play in the secondary tournaments looks massively overpriced. Eddie Nketiah has yet to score or assist for Palace, although his all-round performances have been praised. Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt will have to prove themselves to their new manager - although the former will already have his old Sporting managers trust.


The Hard to Judge
Injuries have meant a fair few summer signings have either been limited in game time or simply haven't played at all - Yoro, Chiesa, Igor Thiago. Big money youngsters such as Archie Gray and Odobert at Spurs haven't really had time to shine, a similar story at Bournemouth for highly rated Dean Huijsen and Brentfords Fabio Carvalho.



Overall, the summer window signings have been underwhelming on the whole - especially at the 'big clubs'. However, it is still very early days for them so we can expect great improvements in the quality of the imports.