Premier League 2022-23 summer transfer window power rankings
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
- 11 min read
As ever, Premier League clubs have taken to the transfer window in an attempt to bolster their respective squads for the new campaign.
The €1 billion mark has already been surpassed by the 20 teams in the top flight, with the Premier League once again demonstrating itself to be the richest and most enticing league in the world.
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FootballTransfers has taken a look at all 20 clubs and ranked them from top to bottom in terms of the successfulness of their summer business so far based on four key factors.
These are:
• Necessity. How well has the team covered holes in their squad and has the squad improved?
• Value. Has the team paid a fair price for the players they have signed?
• Efficiency. Have they signed their leading targets?
• Retention. Have they kept their important players and have they sold those they don’t want?
Premier League 2022/23 summer transfers: All the completed deals
Which teams have spent the most on transfers this summer?
What players have moved on a Free Transfer this summer?
Premier League 2022-23 summer transfer window power rankings
20. AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth secured promotion from the Championship after heavily dipping in the January transfer market, but they've begun the summer window in extremely poor fashion.
The squad is still entirely filled with players of Championship quality, and only Ryan Fredericks and Joe Rothwell have arrived, both on free transfers.
Most areas of the squad still need work, and there’s a huge reliance on Dominic Solanke to translate his goal-scoring exploits from last season into Premier League output, which he’s never managed before.
19. Everton
Everton have signed just two players so far this summer, and while James Tarkowski is excellent, he may not even suit their playing style that well.
If Frank Lampard persists with a defensive style of play that saw them escape relegation then Tarkowski will be great, but if the English head coach reverts to a pressing system, which he used at Chelsea, then the former Burnley man is in trouble. He’s excelled in a structured system, but has joined a team without much structure to it.
Furthermore, Richarlison hasn’t been replaced, and their midfield still looks threadbare. Troubling times for Everton, although Dwight McNeil is a talent.
18. Leicester City
Bad business is worse than no business, and while Leicester are the only Premier League side yet to make a new addition, the Foxes don’t feature plum last because they don’t need too many new players.
Their squad is already of a high calibre, and Youri Tielemans looks like he may stay. In addition to that, Wesley Fofana, James Justin, Ricardo Pereria and even Wilfried Ndidi and Jonny Evans will feel like new signings after missing much of last campaign through injury.
Much like the teams already listed, Brighton have done minimal business this summer. Simon Adingra was signed from Nordsjaelland before immediately being loaned out to Union Saint-Gilloise, but Julio Enciso looks like a talent.
However, Enciso is still just 18 years old, and is more of a signing for the future than the present. Still, Brighton’s squad is very good, and while Yves Bissouma has left, his departure was planned long ago, as seen by the signings of Jakub Moder, Moises Caicedo and Enock Mwepu. Marc Cucurella also hasn't been sold, despite plenty of rumours.
16. Wolverhampton Wanderers
There are plenty of holes left on Wolves’ squad, but they feature in 16th purely because they’ve signed a player who will become a starter and haven’t sold any key players.
Ruben Neves looks set to stay, while Hwang Hee Chan’s loan deal has been made permanent and Nathan Collins has arrived from Burnley.
Bruno Lage has almost solely deployed a back four in pre-season, which isn’t a formation that naturally suits club captain Conor Coady, but it does suit Collins. Lage may revert to a back three, in which case Collins should replace the departed Romain Saiss.
But, Fabio Silva has been loaned out to Anderlecht, leaving Raul Jimenez as the only natural striker in the squad, with the Mexican now ruled out for the first few weeks of the season after picking up an injury in pre-season.
15. Brentford
Brentford have lost Christian Eriksen which is a huge blow, but Aaron Hickey and Keane Lewis-Potter are both smart signings.
Hickey was pursued by Arsenal before the Bees landed him, with the Scottish international excelling at Bologna in Serie A. He’s expected to play at right-wing-back, with Rico Henry on the left.
Furthermore, Lewis-Potter showed sparks of brilliance at Hull last campaign, and ended the 2021-22 season with 12 goals and three assists in the Championship. He will be slowly bedded in, however, at the age of just 21.
14. Fulham
Newly-promoted Fulham had plenty of work to do in the market following their Championship victory, with much of their squad still second-tier quality.
The signing of Joao Palhinha is outstanding business, and has provided the Craven Cottage outfit with the defensive midfielder they desperately needed - and a Champions League quality one at that.
Manor Solomon and Kevin Mbabu are nice acquisitions, while Andreas Pereira will attempt to fill the creative void left by Fabio Carvalho’s departure. There are still holes to fill, however, with Tim Ream still needing to be replaced.
13. Liverpool
The caveat to Liverpool’s transfer window is that Jurgen Klopp’s side needed very little in regards to new talent, but the saying “if you stand still you go backwards” in football rings true.
Calvin Ramsay has essentially replaced Neco Williams as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s back-up, while Darwin Nunez has replaced Sadio Mane in the forward line.
However, the former Benfica man isn’t on Mane’s level right now, despite his goal-scoring exploits last season, which is a concern. The addition of Fabio Carvalho is smart, but he may not be given too much responsibility this year. Central midfield still needs work, despite Klopp’s comments that he’s happy with his current crop - their failed pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni proves that.
Manchester United’s window is quite hard to judge. On one hand, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia are all brilliant players and will add a great deal of quality to their squad.
However, on the other hand, the Frenkie de Jong saga has dragged on all summer, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is still unknown. As a result, two major positions, defensive midfielder and striker, haven’t been addressed, while a new right-back also hasn’t been signed.
11. Chelsea
The Blues have added two world-class players in Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling, who will help Thomas Tuchel’s side try to maintain their status as a Champions League club.
However, they’ve seen countless targets move elsewhere, especially to Barcelona, and most areas on the pitch still need work. Defensive targets have gone off the market, while a proven striker hasn’t arrived despite Romelu Lukaku’s exit.
10. Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have become one of the most well-oiled machines in the transfer market since Roy Hodgson’s departure, with the 2021 summer transfer window laying the foundations.
This year has built upon that, with Cheick Doucoure and Chris Richards both improving the squad and the starting XI. Furthermore, Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise are both still at the club, which is fantastic news for Patrick Vieira.
Gianluca Scamacca was seemingly on his way to Paris Saint-Germain, but he’s instead joined West Ham, which shows the pull the Hammers now have.
However, while he scored 16 Serie A goals last season, his profile of striker didn’t work last time under Davies Moyes, namely Sebastian Haller, so the Scottish manager may need to alter his thinking.
Michail Antonio’s presence may also make things difficult, but Scamacca is a brilliant signing for West Ham. Alphonse Areola on a permanent as well as Nayef Aguerd and Flynn Downes are also smart signings.
8. Newcastle
Newcastle have started life as the richest club in world football in surprisingly smart fashion. While rumours of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar flew around following the takeover, the Magpies have instead become a well-operated club in the market.
Sven Botman was wanted by AC Milan, but has joined Newcastle, despite the lack of European football, while Nick Pope is an upgrade on Martin Dubravka. Matt Targett impressed on loan last season and is clearly favoured by Eddie Howe so his arrival isn’t surprising.
7. Leeds
Leeds have lost their two best players this summer - Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. The latter, in particular, was the biggest reason as to why they avoided relegation last season.
However, they’ve taken to the market to replace them and they’ve achieved that so well. Luis Sinisterra plays on the opposite flank to Raphinha, but he notched 37 goals and assists in all competitions in 2021-22.
Furthermore, Marc Roca and Tyler Adams are two fantastic central midfielders. Darko Gyarbi is one for the future, while Rasmus Kristensen should become their starting right-back. Brenden Aaronson cost a lot of money, but is a player that Jesse Marsch knows well.
6. Southampton
After a dreadful run of form to end the 2021-22 campaign, Southampton desperately needed a fresh batch of signings, and they’ve been given exactly that.
The goalkeeper crisis has been solved by Gavin Bazunu, who looks like a very talented young goalkeeper, while Armel Bella-Kotchap was one of the best U23 centre-backs in Europe last season.
Sekou Mara has replaced Armando Broja up front, while Romeo Lavia and Joe Aribo will provide James Ward-Prowse with some help in midfield. All in all, a great window for Ralph Hasenhuttl.
5. Aston Villa
Unlike last summer, Aston Villa haven’t lost any of their stars. The Villains splashed most of the money earned through Jack Grealish’s sale in 2021, but will be hoping for slightly more success this time around.
Tyrone Mings has lost his captaincy and the arrival of Diego Carlos suggests Mings may lose his place in the starting XI. Furthermore, Philippe Coutinho is a major coup for a side who finished 14th in the Premier League last year.
Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer is their best piece of business, however. The Frenchman will provide solidity and calmness in possession that has been lacking at Villa Park.
Manchester City needed very little work done to their squad. But, they’ve signed one of the world’s best players in Erling Haaland, superb back-ups to both Rodri and Ederson in Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega, as well as one of the best young forwards around in Julian Alvarez.
Pep Guardiola has finally been given the prolific goal-scorer he’s been hunting for over a year, and it’s easy to imagine Man City will be even better this year. The departures of Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus have earned the club plenty of money, although they may come to regret letting them leave.
But, overall Man City’s squad has strengthened.
The success of Nottingham Forest’s transfer window will only really be revealed come May and the end of the season. But, the transfers they’ve made suggest that survival is a realistic goal.
Integrating so many new players will be a huge challenge for Steve Cooper, but the calibre of signings they’ve made is very impressive. Jesse Lingard will replace the departed Philip Zinckernagel, Neco Williams has replaced Djed Spence, Lewis O’Brien has replaced James Garner and Taiwo Awoniyi has replaced Keinan Davis.
Forest’s squad is now Premier League ready, which couldn’t be said before the window started.
2. Arsenal
The Gunners narrowly miss out on top spot due to the lack of a true midfield signing. The aforementioned Zinchenko may well be the first-choice option in that position, but he will also be required to deputise at left-back when Kieran Tierney inevitably gets injured.
Gabriel Jesus will add goals, Fabio Vieira will help alleviate the creative burden from Martin Odegaard, while William Saliba’s return from loan is like another signing too. Mikel Arteta will be required to finish in the top four with the level of investment made by the board.
1. Tottenham
The only team that beat Arsenal in this ranking is their North London rivals Tottenham. Antonio Conte now has a squad capable of progressing far in multiple competitions, including the Premier League.
Yves Bissouma is an upgrade on Harry Winks in midfield, and will provide Pierre-Emile Hojgberg with competition for a starting spot. Djed Spence solves the right-wing-back issue, while Clement Lenglet on loan is a short-term fix for the left-centre-back role.
Ivan Perisic is an incredible signing on a free transfer, while Spurs finally have a Harry Kane back-up in Richarlison, even if he did cost a lot of money.
