Transfers are one of the biggest factors in football. They can make or break a club’s season and decide a manager’s future. It is tough to make sure a transfer works. The new player has to fit the system, create a relationship with the current players and work well with the manager.
Here are five transfers that have done exactly this in the Premier League.
Where else can you start other than a certain James Maddison?
Tottenham signed the Englishman for £40 million from Leicester with Harry Winks going the other way for £10 million. Spurs signed Maddison for essentially 30 million and he has taken no time hitting the ground running.
The former Leicester man is flying with 2 goals and 5 assists in his first 8 league games. However, it is not just the stats that are proving how crucial he has been to Spurs’ quick start. Maddison has played a pivotal role in Ange Postecoglou’s football style. Maddison can turn defence into attack instantly with his quick transitions on the ball.
His link-up with Heung Min Son has almost been unstoppable and was very much on show in the North London Derby. The pair combined for both goals which meant gained a massive point against their fiercest rivals. The Englishman also provided a great assist to help Spurs win against Luton.
Consistency is key
Next up is another Englishman. Former Southampton man James Ward-Prowse has immediately settled into life at West Ham. His deadly set pieces have caused nothing but trouble for opposing teams. The former Southampton captain sits on 2 goals and 3 assists and has helped the ‘Hammers’ into 7th place as we head into the international break.
West Ham signed him for only 30 million pounds in a series of transfers they made after the sale of Declan Rice. The once-capped Englishman has been a fine addition to David Moyes’ side. In an alternating midfield of Lucas Paqueta, Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek, Ward-Prowse has been ever-present. He has started every Premier League game since the opening day and West Ham fans will be hoping he can continue his form for the rest of the season.
Over the summer, Liverpool needed to have a midfield rebuild and they did. It was crucial that whoever they signed hit the ground running straight away. With Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moving a lot of pressure was on the new incomings.
Dominik Szobozslai was signed from RB Leipzig for a fee of 60 million pounds. The Hungarian has been on fire and is becoming a fan favourite with the Anfield crowd already. Despite a defensive presence still being needed in the middle of the park, Szobozslai has been a breath of fresh air.
The former Leipzig man has already shown what he is capable of. A wonder goal at home against Aston Villa announced himself to the Anfield faithful. This was not even his best. He went one better with an outrageous strike in the EFL Cup against Leicester. Being only 22, the Hungarian is only going to improve.
Embed from Getty ImagesMagical Micky
Another Tottenham player makes the list in Micky van de Ven. The Dutch centre-half has looked at home in his new side.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former Wolfsburg man has not put a foot wrong and even earned Spurs a vital 3 points with the only goal of the game away at Luton. This sent the white side of North London to the top of the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou signed van de Ven for an initial £34.5 million potentially rising to £43 million and it is turning out to be a bargain. Tottenham have been crying out for new defenders ever since the departures of veteran Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
The Dutchman is yet to show a sign of weakness. He has shown composure playing out from the back under huge amounts of pressure. Van de Ven is more than capable of keeping up with the league’s quickest players. Have Spurs now got one of the league’s best centre-backs?
Embed from Getty ImagesDiaby fires Villa into 5th
The new man from Bayer Leverkusen is already causing headaches for Premier League defenders. Has Unai Emery found a gem in Moussa Diaby? The Frenchman has already contributed to 5 goals in his time at Aston Villa. He came in with hype around him and is certainly living up to it.
Diaby was brought in for a club-record fee of £51.9 million so Unai Emery will be delighted with how he has started. A dynamic partnership with the prolific Ollie Watkins is beginning to show. Teams cannot cope with the pace of the two. Aston Villa currently sit in 5th and will be dreaming of the Champions League if Diaby can continue his form.
Embed from Getty ImagesAll of these transfers have excelled so far under their new managers and will be hoping nothing changes. Can James Maddison and Mickey van de Ven carry Spurs to glory? Can Moussa Diaby help Aston Villa upset the ‘big six’?
Thanks for including van de Ven. We needed a top centre back to partner Romero for ages and he’s been absolute quality