Deciding on the Premier League signing of the season is never an easy task. Different players can have different impacts on a team and it is not always the new signing who is lifting the title high that earns the label, signing of the season. Sometimes, one signing is the difference between survival and relegation or a place amongst Europe’s elite.
Some teams have even hit the jackpot in the past with title-defining signings. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk brought with him a trophy winning impact as did Diego Costa at Chelsea in 2016.
This season has been no different, either. Certain signings have made a significant impact, including those listed below. At the start of the season, many may have put their money into bet365 on these players to take this yearly award.
Premier League Signing of the Season: The Contenders
Diogo Jota
When Liverpool opted for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Diogo Jota over Timo Werner in the summer, many were left questioning the decision. Jota had only shown glimpses at Wolves so to splash out £41 million on the forward seemed a strange decision by Jurgen Klopp at the time.
As it turns out, however, the Reds- like in most transfer cases in recent years- knew exactly what they were doing. Jota has reached a whole new level In Merseyside and, but for a prolonged period on the sidelines- could have been in the frame for the Golden Boot this season.
The Portugal international has scored eight goals in 16 Premier League appearances to accompany his four- including a hattrick against Atalanta- in the Champions League.
To put those numbers into context, the man Liverpool missed out on in the summer, Timo Werner, has scored just six Premier League goals in 32 appearances. Unexpectedly, Jota has been one of the contenders for Premier League signing of the season.
Emi Martinez
After Aston Villa survived thanks to a combination of technological failure and timely goals, two things became clear. A clinical striker was needed and a trustworthy leader-like goalkeeper was needed. Dean Smith solved problem one with the signing of Ollie Watkins- who has been a revelation in his own right.
But the solution to problem two has been the real difference. Emi Martinez, fresh from FA Cup heroics with Arsenal, arrived ready to prove a point. Almost a year later, and it’s fair to say he has proved that point.
Villa have turned a weakness into a strength thanks to incredible summer recruitment. Last season, they conceded 67 goals, a tally only beaten by Norwich City’s woeful 75.
This season, by some contrast, they’ve conceded 38 goals with five games left to play. Only Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have conceded less. When it comes to clean sheets, too, Martinez’ impact is clear for all to see. The shot-stopper has kept 14- a tally only bettered by Manchester City’s Ederson.
He has helped to transform Villa from relegation candidates to European hopefuls, and is a clear contender for Premier League signing of the season.
Premier League Signing of the Season: Ruben Dias
If you cast your minds back to 2018, Liverpool’s signing of Virgil van Dijk eradicated their defensive weakness completely, eventually leading to a Champions League and Premier League trophy in the space of two years.
The signing helped to dethrone Manchester City to the point that it was the Citizens who looked defensively incapable. Vincent Kompany was gone, and Guardiola was struggling. A new leader was needed, but not many put their faith in 23-year-old Dias to become that leader.
Now, as they close in on the title, it is fair to say he has proven any initial doubters wrong. City have gone from being vulnerable to impenetrable by forming the partnership of John Stones and the aforementioned Dias.
They’ve conceded just 24 goals this season, the least in the league, and 11 less than last season. In Europe, too, Dias has proved his worth- denying both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland goals.
At such a young age, he’ll only get better, too, and is undoubtedly the Premier League signing of the season.
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