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10 Best Premier League Summer Transfer Windows

The Premier League is awash with new talent after this transfer window. The sides have spent a combined total of over £1 billion in transfer money to secure the services of players they think will improve their squads. Some teams, as always, fared better than others in acquiring their new talent. Those are the teams who have had the best Premier League summer transfer windows.

10 Best Transfer Windows

10. Stoke

Notable Signings:

  • Darren Fletcher
  • Josh Tymon
  • Tre Pemberton
  • Kurt Zouma (loan)
  • Jese Rodriguez (loan)
  • Kevin Wimmer
  • Bruno Martins Indi

Key Departures:

  • Glenn Whelan
  • Marko Arnautovic
  • Jon Walters
  • Shay Given

After a mid-table finish last season, Mark Hughes would have been looking to make some big signings this summer to try and improve his current side.

The Potters were fairly active this transfer window, however they weren’t able to secure any ‘big name’ signings. In fact, they lost their best player last season, Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian signed for West Ham during the summer for a reported fee of £25 million.

Although they received good money for the forward, he was a very valuable asset to Stoke’s lineup.

The Potter’s were also able to bring in Darren Fletcher on a free transfer. Fletcher is an experienced midfielder who may be able to help the spine of Stoke’s team.

Lastly, the addition of Jese on loan from PSG is a great replacement for Arnautovic. The Spaniard has settled into the team well, scoring on his debut against Arsenal.

9. Leicester City

Notable Signings:

  • Harry Maguire
  • Sam Hughes
  • Vicente Iborra
  • Eldin Jakupovic
  • Kelechi Iheanacho
  • Aleksandar Dragovic

Key Departures:

  • Marcin Wasilewski
  • Ron-Robert Zieler
  • Nampalys Mendy
  • Danny Drinkwater

Once again, Leicester City have managed to keep hold of both of their star players – Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.

Harry Maguire had a great season at Hull City last season, and Craig Shakespeare has decided to bring him to Leicester. Maguire has had a positive start at Leicester and thus has earned himself an England call up. With Robert Huth and Wes Morgan reaching the ends of their careers, the youngster seems like a great addition. 

The Foxes have also brought in Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who has struggled to get minutes at Manchester City. The youngster has enormous potential and carries traits tailor made for the Premier League.

Lastly, the Foxes brought in midfielder Vincente Iborra. After losing PFA Player of the Year, N’Golo Kante, it has been hard for the club to find his replacement. However, with Wilfred Ndidi putting in some great performances last season, Iborra may be a good back up.

On deadline day, the Foxes also lost one of their long serving player in English international, Danny Drinkwater. He played a key role in their title winning season and has played consistently for the club since. His departure will be missed on the pitch, however it will give the likes of Andy King, Daniel Amartey and Demarai Gray some more game time.

8. Bournemouth

Notable Signings:

  • Asmir Begovic
  • Jermain Defoe
  • Nathan Ake
  • Connor Mahoney

Key Departures:

  • Max Gradel

Recently, Bournemouth have received great success in the Premier League and this summer Eddie Howe has gone and brought in some outstanding talents.

Despite being 34 years of age, veteran Jermain Defoe still managed to bag 15 goals last season. The Englishman has still got another couple years in him and will definitely be able to score past the weaker sides. He is experienced and will be a great role model for younger players.

For the first half of last season, the Cherries had Nathan Ake on loan, who was nothing short of sensational and have spent £20 million to permanently bring him to the club.

They also managed to get in a new keeper in Asmir Begovic who struggled to beat Thiabaut Courtois to the first choice position at Chelsea.

7. Arsenal

Notable Signings:

  • Alexandre Lacazette
  • Sead Kolasinac

Key Departures:

  • Yaya Sanogo
  • Chris Willock
  • Wojciech Szczesny
  • Carl Jenkinson

After being on the brink of the end of his Arsenal career, manager Arsene Wenger is under immense pressure this season.

The Gunners definitely strengthened their attacking options with the signing Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchmen is a proven goal scorer and has already begun showing off his skills in the Premier League.

Wenger was also able to hang on to both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Sanchez was Arsenal’s saviour last season as he often single handedly carried the Gunners through games.

German midfielder Ozil is another proven world class player in the current Arsenal squad who will be relied on for many top class performances.

6. Liverpool

Notable Signings:

  • Dominic Solanke 
  • Mohamed Salah 
  • Andy Robertson 
  • Naby Keita

Key Departures:

  • Andre Wisdom
  • Tom Brewitt
  • Jake Brimmer
  • Jack Dunn
  • Lucas Leiva

It may come as a shock to many, but Liverpool have managed to keep hold of Philippe Coutinho.

Having finished in the top four last season, Klopp identified that he only needs a few additions to his current squad.

Their marquee signing was Roma’s Mohammed Salah, who has already been excellent in Liverpool’s opening three games. The Egyptian struggled at Chelsea but shined bright at Roma and is already looking very promising at Anfield.

The Reds have also managed to bring in Hull City’s Andy Robertson as a rotational left back.

However the main talking point for the Reds this summer was retaining Coutinho. Having rejected several bids for over £100 million, Klopp stood firm when dealing with one of the worlds largest clubs, Barcelona.

Long-term target Naby Keita was also acquired on a deal that will see him join the club next summer.

5. West Ham United

Notable Signings:

  • Pablo Zabaleta
  • Joe Hart (loan)
  •  Marko Arnautovic
  • Javier Hernandez
  • Sead Haksabanovic

Key Departures:

  • Darren Randolph
  • Reece Oxford (loan)
  • Alvaro Arbeloa
  • Havard Nordtveit
  • Enner Valencia
  • Ashley Fletcher
  • Sofiane Feghouli

West Ham have been one of the busiest clubs during this transfer window and there is no doubt they have brought in plenty of talent and experience.

The Hammers broke their transfer record with the signing of Marko Arnautovic from Stoke for a fee of £25 million. Unfortunately, Arnautovic hasn’t hit the ground running and has struggled to find his form from last season.

Furthermore, the addition of Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta should help bolster Bilic’s squad. The City duo bring a lot of experience to the current West Ham side. On paper, these two will definitely help the Hammers do well, however in the first three games they have conceded eight goals and Zabaleta gave away a costly penalty in the 93rd minute against Southampton.

Lastly, their marquee signing is the Mexican magician Javier Hernandez (Chicharito). The Mexican has proved his class in Germany and earlier in his career at Manchester United. He has already got going for London club by scoring two goals in his first three games.

4. Chelsea

Notable Signings:

  • Alvaro Morata
  • Willy Caballero
  • Antonio Rudiger
  • Tiemoue Bakayoko
  • Ethan Ampadu
  • Danny Drinkwater
  • Davide Zappacosta

Key Departures:

  • Juan Cuadrado
  • Christian Atsu
  • Asmir Begovic
  • Dominic Solanke
  • John Terry
  • Bertrand Traore
  • Nathan Ake
  • Tammy Abraham (loan)
  • Ola Aina (loan)
  • Ruben Loftus-Cheek (loan)
  • Nathan Chalobah
  • Marco Van Ginkel
  • Kurt Zouma (loan)
  • Nemanja Matic

Champions Chelsea have been very busy this summer, adding five new players to their squad. Most of their signings have been to replace the players they’ve lost.

Monaco’s defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has been added to replace Nemanja Matic. Alvaro Morata replaces Diego Costa who has been left out of Conte’s plans as well as Antonio Rudiger and Willy Cabellero to act as the back up centre-back and goalkeeper.

Although the Blues have added a lot of quality to their side, they have lost the likes of youngsters Dominic Solanke, Nathaniel Chalobah and Tammy Abraham. In today’s inflated transfer market, Chelsea have not managed to maximise their earnings with these sales. Solanke has proven he is a talented striker and for Chelsea to let him go may prove to be very costly.

The Blues also lost club legend and captain, John Terry, who is reaching the closing stages of his career. He may not be missed too much on the pitch, but his experience and leadership may be something Conte has undervalued.

Chelsea also brought in Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater. Although, they have 3 solid midfielders, Conte felt like the addition of Drinkwater would help them as they do have European competitions this season.

3. Everton

Notable Signings:

  • Wayne Rooney
  • Gylfi Sigurdsson
  • Jordan Pickford
  • Davy Klaassen
  • Henry Onyekuru
  • Sandro Ramirez
  • Michael Keane
  • Josh Bowler
  • Cuco Martina
  • Nathangelo Markelo
  • Boris Mathis
  • Anton Donkor
  • Nikola Vlasic

Key Departures:

  • Romelu Lukaku
  • Tom Cleverley
  • Henry Onyekuru
  • Brendan Galloway

Everton had a great season last year and will be looking to continue the momentum into the new season.

The Toffees were very active during the early stages of the transfer window signing Michael Keane, Sandro Ramirez, Davy Klaassen and, most notably, Wayne Rooney. However, they did lose their key man, Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian helped the side greatly, scoring 25 goals for the club last season.

Ronald Koeman has assembled a very high quality side and will be looking to earn a spot in the top four this season. With the Premier League’s increasing competition, it looks unlikely that Everton will finish top four. However, their talent shouldn’t be belittled as they do look like a dangerous side.

Having earned the status as a ‘club legend’ at Manchester United, Wayne Rooney will look to show off his talent in a blue shirt this season. Aged 31, the Englishman still has a few years to play in England’s top flight. He has proved his passing and shooting ability on countless occasions and is eager to help his boyhood club succeed next season. Wayne Rooney is a model number ten and will fit right into Koeman’s current side.

2. Manchester United

Notable Signings:

  • Victor Lindelof
  • Romelu Lukaku
  • Nemanja Matic
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Key Departures:

  • Adnan Januzaj
  • Wayne Rooney
  • Sam Johnstone (loan)
  • Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (loan)
  • Timothy Fosu-Mensah (loan)

After an underwhelming first season in the Premier League, it was evident that JosÚ Mourinho had to make adjustments to the squad.  Despite only bringing in three players, all three of them have greatly improved the side.

Although the Red Devils had to pay a hefty £90 million, Belgian Romelu Lukaku has already lit up the Premier League with three goals in three games. Lukaku is the perfect replacement or even improvement from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Last season, Mourinho was forced to play Paul Pogba as a defensive midfielder, but the addition of Nemanja Matic will allow him to push further forward and play a similar role to the one he plays for the French national team.

Lastly, United’s defence was very unstable as the squad was lacking depth and with suspensions and bans counted for, Mourinho had to create make-shift centre halves. However the addition of Victor Lindelof will hopefully see United firm up their defence.

Mourinho also saw a handful of players leave Old Trafford this summer. United also said farewell to a legend in Wayne Rooney who has joined his boyhood club, Everton. Rooney struggled to find form and a spot in the United team and having him off the wage bill may be quite a relief for the club.

1. Manchester City

Notable Signings:

  • Benjamin Mendy
  • Danilo
  • Bernardo Silva
  • Ederson
  • Kyle Walker
  • Douglas Luiz
  • Olarenwaju Kayode

Key Departures:

  • Fernando Reges
  • Kelechi Iheanacho
  • Pablo Zabaleta
  • Enes Unal
  • Gael Clichy
  • Jesus Navas
  • Willy Cabellero
  • Bacary Sagna
  • Aaron Mooy

Unsurprisingly, it was Manchester City who were the biggest spenders during this summer. However, the money was spent well.

Pep Guardiola acknowledged that his full backs were getting old and weren’t good enough for the first team. Therefore, Guardiola has only gone and got two of the best full-backs today – English international Kyle Walker and Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy.  These two bring a lot of versatility which will allow Guardiola to experiment with three at the back formations as these two youngsters pose a strong offensive threat as well.

After Claudio Bravo flopped at City, Guardiola smashed the record and bought the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in Ederson, who had a great season at Benfica last season.

Bernardo Silva played a key role in Monaco’s Ligue 1 triumph and this summer has seen a move to the Etihad. Silva is a creative and versatile midfielder who is well suited for the Premier League.

Overall, Manchester City have done excellent business this summer, bringing in some world class players and getting excess players off the wage bill.

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Embed from Getty Images

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