The seven best Premier League summer signings so far
FT Desk
- Updated: 20 Sept 2022 13:57 BST
- 4 min read
We are still in September but the Premier League season is already seven matchdays old – with an additional two games played in the Champions League and other European competitions.
As such, there has already been a number of summer signings to stand out in these opening weeks.
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FootballTransfers picks out seven new arrivals who are shining.
Erling Haaland (Man City)
Erling Haaland joined Man City this summer from Borussia Dortmund for €60 million after the English champions paid his release clause.
That is already looking like one of the bargains of the century as Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm.
He already has plundered 11 goals in seven league games – and 14 goals in 10 matches in all competitions.
He is scoring at a rate of a goal every 52 minutes, and has already scored back-to-back hat-tricks. A monster of a footballer.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus hasn’t been as prolific as Haaland, but he has had an equally positive impact on his new team following his big-money move from Man City.
The Brazilian has scored four goals in seven games to take Arsenal to the top of the Premier League after seven matches.
Jesus has shown himself to not only be a goalscoring threat but fantastic in holding up the ball, bringing others to play and with his all-round movement.
Arsenal have moved on to the next level thanks to the striker.
Nick Pope (Newcastle)
Nick Pope has been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League in these first weeks since his summer transfer from Burnley.
He has the highest save percentage in the Premier League of goalkeeper who have played regularly of 82 per cent.
Only Dean Henderson of Nottingham Forest has made more saves, while Pope is fourth for big saves made.
Lisandro Martinez (Man Utd)
Some fans and neutrals were ready to write Lisandro Martinez off after Man Utd lost their opening two games of the season against Brighton and Bournemouth.
But the Argentine defender has been magnificent since as United have won four games in a row to steady the ship and challenge the top four.
Martinez has been fearless and formed a fine partnership with Raphael Varane – with Harry Maguire dropped and the England international’s United career now at risk. A fine signing from Ajax.
Ivan Perisic (Tottenham)
Anyone who watched Perisic for Inter last season will not be surprised to see how well the Croatian free transfer has started at Tottenham.
Perisic was in many people’s eyes the most consistent player throughout last season in Italy and he is already proving to be one of the best wing-backs in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old has already delivered four assists from six starts in all competitions, having been bedded in slowly in the first few matches. The complete player.
Palhinha (Fulham)
Fulham beat off competition from a number of big clubs in Europe to sign Joao Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon.
The midfield has been arguably the best midfielder in the league so far. He has won more tackles than any other Premier League player, while no player in Europe’s big five leagues has more successful pressures than the Portuguese international.
Lurveeee the Joao Palhinha chant. What a night 😍 #ffc pic.twitter.com/IcNsELnyVA
— Isabelle Latifa Barker (@Isabellelatifa) September 16, 2022
Furthermore, he has been a threat going forward with two goals in his first seven matches.
Conor Coady (Everton)
Everton manager Frank Lampard was under pressure heading into this season and some eyebrows were raised by his decision to sign Conor Coady on loan from Wolves.
But the centre-back has been a calming influence on an Everton defence that looks so much more solid this season.
In fact, Everton have the second-best defensive record in the English top-flight so far, and much of that is down to Coady’s performances and organisation. He also was robbed of the perfect Merseyside Derby debut as his winner was ruled out for a close offside.
