Premier League Report Card: The 10 most expensive summer signings graded
It might be unseasonably warm in much of the UK, but the summer transfer window feels like an awfully long time ago.
Partly because it shut three weeks earlier than usual, partly because the intrigue surrounding new signings has disappeared.
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The summer of 2018 saw the record fee paid for a goalkeeper broken not once, but twice, and not a single striker was among the top ten most expensive players.
As the international break continues to drag, Yahoo Sport UK takes a look at the most expensive signings and grades them on their displays after eight games (sorry Fabinho).
10. Yerry Mina £28.5m (Barcelona – Everton) – N/A
Well, this is a good start. Yerry Mina cannot be given a grade because he is injured and yet to play a game for Everton. While others on this list have barely played despite being fit, Mina is a special case. Let’s hope he is back soon and helps mend the leaks in the Toffees’ backline.
9. Richarlison £40m (Watford – Everton) – A
It has been an eventful two months at Goodison Park for Richarlison. He has netted four goals, missed two games after being sent off and missed a hatful of chances. But it is tough to criticise the 21-year-old who has been the standout performer at Everton. Clearly a man who thrives under Marco Silva, Richarlison has begun to justify his fee.
8. Felipe Anderson £42m (Lazio – West Ham United) – B
August: not good, September: very good. That is the best way to describe Felipe Anderson’s season so far. He has been a really key member of the Hammers’ renaissance and scored his first goal against Manchester United. Clearly has ability on the ball and looks to have adapted to the Premier League fairly quickly.
7. Fabinho £43.7m (Monaco – Liverpool) – E
Liverpool’s transfer business has been widely heralded, yet Fabinho is yet to play a Premier League minute. A Carabao Cup start and two substitute appearances in the Champions League are all Fabinho has to his name, but that isn’t necessarily that surprising. Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took time to adjust last season. That can’t save Fabinho from a low rating though.
6. Naby Keita £52.8m (RB Leipzig – Liverpool) – C
After his Liverpool debut against West Ham, Naby Keita looked set to be the signing of the summer. But it has been a stuttering start to his Liverpool career; some moments of brilliance mixed in with more anonymous displays. Keita’s not been bad, he’s just not quite lived up to the hype yet. There is plenty of time to shine, though, and this grade should be higher come next May.
5. Jorginho £57m (Napoli – Chelsea) – A*
Snatched from under the noses of Manchester City, the Jorginho – Maurizio Sarri partnership has blossomed in west London. Jorginho has been one of the key cogs during the Blues’ surprise start to the year, setting records for completed passes in the process. One of the most impressive summer signings of the lot.
4. Riyad Mahrez £60m (Leicester City – Manchester City) – C
Should one penalty miss lower the rating? Well, it has. Riyad Mahrez has been OK at City without pulling up any trees. A brace at Cardiff looked like it could be the springboard for the Algerian to hit top-form, then he blasted the ball into the Anfield Road Stand and cost his team a potentially huge victory.
3. Fred £61.2m (Shakhtar Donestk – Manchester United) – C
Another expensive signing who has had an underwhelming start to Premier League life. Fred has started just one of United’s past five games and seems to have fallen down the pecking order. He has done alright when he has played, but Scott McTominay getting selected in front of him paints a worrying picture. Was he just signed to spite City?
2. Alisson Becker £67m (Roma – Liverpool) – B
That mistake at Leicester City aside, Alisson has looked the part for Liverpool after his expensive move from Roma. He was always going to be an upgrade on Loris Karius, but the fee put pressure on him and he’s coped with it well. Best performance probably came at Chelsea, when two saves at 1-0 paved the way for Daniel Sturridge’s stunning equaliser.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga £72.1m (Athletic Bilbao – Chelsea) – A
The world’s most expensive goalkeeper has managed to stay under the radar for much of the season, which is usually a good thing as a keeper. When he’s been called upon Kepa has made some fine saves, including a memorable one from Sadio Mane in the clash with Liverpool. No mistakes in his first eight games is good, especially when you consider the baptism of fire fellow Spaniard David De Gea had when he first joined.
