Barclays Premier League summer transfers: Hits and misses
The 2016/2017 Barclays Premier League season is well under way and already the league is beginning to take shape, with many of the predicted candidates sitting in the top spots. Within these teams are new additions which, brought in during the summer transfer window to strengthen their respective clubs.
To pass the international break, we’ll be having standout transfers, worst signings so far and which team seems to have had the best window.Standout transfers so far:Yannick BolasieZlatan IbrahimovicSadio Mane
The Democratic Republic of Congo winger and former Crystal Palace standout made the switch from Selhurst Park to Everton this past summer for a fee of £25 million. Already, his silky skills and effective dribbling has proved beneficial for his team, leading to what has been one of the club’s most impressive starts to a season in recent years. With seven appearances so far and two assists, the 27-year-old might just be on his way to becoming a Goodison Park cult hero.
The big Swede needs no introduction and already his presence within the Manchester United dressing room is being felt both on and off the pitch. Though his form has slumped in recent matches, Ibrahimovic has managed to score four goals in seven appearances in the league. Now 35, Zlatan’s main focus resides in helping Manchester United win their first title since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Senegalese winger, bought by Liverpool from their favourite hunting ground in Southampton, has added pace and trickery to a Liverpool side that has started the season excellent. Jurgen Klopp has repeatedly described him an option which Liverpool previously lacked, and that his more than apparent in his direct and pacy style in an otherwise flowing Liverpool outfit. Mane already has three goals and one assist in six appearances.
Honourable mentions: Eric Bailly (Manchester United), N’golo Kante (Chelsea), Leroy Fer (Swansea)
Worst signings so far:Jordan IbeLiverpool fans were dumbfounded when Jurgen Klopp decided to let promising Jordan Ibe go for £15m. However, many of them have now forgotten that he even existed on Liverpool’s roster after failing to live up to expectations at Bournemouth. Ibe though, is only 20 and has enough time to prove his doubters wrong and remind them why he was regarded as one of the best prospects in England.Papy Djilobodji
The £8million signing of Chelsea defender Djilobodji left many Sunderland fans confident that they had acquired a gem of a player, as the defender was highly regarded at Stamford Bridge. However, his performances so far this season are nothing but the contrary. Sunderland fans will be hoping that both he and the team can turn around their performances for the good.
David Luiz
David Luiz seemed like an expensive panic buy at the time, and he has done nothing to shake off that image. Luiz, repurchased by Chelsea from Paris-Saint Germain for £34m, has featured alongside Gary Cahill in some of the worst defensive performances any Antonio Conte side has produced.Best transfer window: Manchester United
Manchester United were characteristically quick in rapping up their transfers well before deadline day. However, it’s the calibre of their signings that has impressed pundits and driven fear into their opponents. Jose Mourinho in his first season has managed to sign a legend in the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and break the transfer record to acquire Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba. Pogba, though starting slowly has begun to bring games under his control and supplement a tasty United attack. The Portuguese also recruited Eric Bailly from Villarreal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Bailly has been superb at the back so far.
Though the team has failed to impress so far, given their fluctuating performances, recent performances suggest that Mourinho’s men are beginning to find their feet.