Every Premier League Club's Best Signing of 2020

2020 has been an odd yr for everybody, and soccer isn’t any exception.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the three-month break, the null and void debacle, the eventual return of soccer, Liverpool lastly getting their arms on the Premier League trophy, the continuous debate over when it’s protected for followers to return.

The pandemic has had a monetary affect on each membership, however that hasn’t stopped anybody from getting their wallets out.

Right here’s a have a look at each Premier League membership’s greatest signing of 2020 (taking a look at each January 2020 and the prolonged summer time switch window).

Arsenal – Thomas Partey (£45m)

Brazilian teammate Gabriel Magalhaes may have simply gone right here, however the assertion of intent behind Thomas Partey’s signing is why he claims this spot.

The Ghanaian was one of many world’s most sought-after defensive midfielders, enjoying for one in every of Europe’s high sides. It confirmed that Arsenal nonetheless had lots of muscle within the switch market, regardless of their latest drop off.

It hasn’t been an ideal begin to life on the Emirates for Partey, as he takes time to settle in. Nonetheless, a man-of-the-match efficiency towards Manchester United confirmed precisely what he can do.

Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins (£28m)

Shopping for from the Championship is all the time dangerous, particularly for giant charges. This summer time, Aston Villa threw warning to the wind by coughing up an infinite sum for Brentford striker Ollie Watkins, in a deal which may rise to £33m.

In doing so, Watkins grew to become the costliest Championship participant ever. Nonetheless, this hasn’t fazed him, netting six targets in 9 outings – together with a primary half hat-trick towards champions Liverpool.

Brighton and Hove Albion – Tariq Lamptey (£4m)

Not a lot was recognized in regards to the former Chelsea youth man when he got here to the AMEX.

Quick ahead a couple of months, and Lamptey is now one of the crucial promising full-backs within the league. His tempo and power have caught the attention of a few of Europe’s largest golf equipment, together with treble winners Bayern Munich.

And, at simply 20 years outdated, there may very well be lots extra to come back from the Englishman.

Burnley – Josh Brownhill (£9m)

The 24-year-old arrived at Turf Moor from Bristol Metropolis final January.

In reality, he’s been…strong, however nothing spectacular. However hey, Burnley’s solely different signings this yr have been Dale Stephens and Will Norris (who?).

Chelsea – Edouard Mendy (£22m)

Chelsea made seven new signings in the summertime window, so there have been an entire host of gamers who may have gone right here. Realistically, you may make argument for all of them except for Malang Sarr and Kai Havertz.

Nonetheless, if you keep in mind how shaky Kepa Arrizabalaga was in web for the Blues, Mendy turns into the apparent selection.

The Senegalese stopper has instilled confidence in a beforehand questionable backline, maintaining clear sheets in 9 of his 13 appearances.

Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze (£20m)

Crystal Palace have been one other aspect who didn’t have the most important pool of gamers to select from. Nonetheless, Eze has been a vivid spark in a reasonably unspectacular Eagles aspect.

Other than the dazzling Wilfried Zaha, Eze is Palace’s foremost supply of aptitude. He’s nonetheless adjusting to life within the Premier League, however when he will get settled, he may very well be a famous person.

Everton – James Rodriguez (Free)

James Rodriguez is a supremely proficient participant – anybody who remembers the 2014 World Cup will know this. Nonetheless, the Colombian considerably misplaced his method through the years, dropping his place at Actual Madrid whereas struggling to make an affect at Bayern Munich.

Since being reunited with former supervisor Carlo Ancelotti, the playmaker has began to point out extra of the issues that we count on of him.

Everton’s type this season has been easy to observe: when Rodriguez performs, they win; when he doesn’t, they don’t.

Fulham – Ademola Lookman (Mortgage)

Okay, overlook in regards to the Panenka for one second.

Earlier than Lookman got here to Craven Cottage, the Whites regarded fully devoid of any attacking menace, typically simply launching crosses into Aleksandar Mitrovic and hoping that he can put them away.

Since arriving on the West Londoners, the RB Leipzig loanee has been the livewire for Scott Parker’s males, displaying blistering tempo, mazy dribbling, and fierce finish product on each toes.

Leeds United – Illan Meslier (£5m)

Having spent the 19/20 season on mortgage on the Yorkshire membership, Illan Meslier has managed to oust Kiko Casilla from the goalkeeping place and set up himself as the primary selection.

The younger Frenchman has grasped his alternative at Leeds with each arms, maintaining 4 clear sheets in 11 video games whereas producing a number of spectacular stops.

Leicester Metropolis – Wesley Fofana (£36.5m)

At simply 19 years outdated, French centre-back Wesley Fofana is actually one for the long run. Nonetheless, this doesn’t cease him from producing standout performances within the current.

has regarded each bit the half on the again up to now, being singled out for reward by Foxes legend Gary Lineker on Twitter.

Liverpool – Thiago Alcantara (£25m)

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been nothing wanting sensational during the last two years. In truth, some would say they’ve been flawless.

Nonetheless, for those who have been to select one gap of their aspect, it might have been the midfield, which tends to lean extra in direction of the industrious aspect versus the technical.

Off the again of a number of dominant shows within the Champions League, Spanish midfielder Thiago arrived at Anfield from Bayern Munich, with the popularity of being one of many world’s greatest in his place.

An harm has saved him out of motion for a couple of weeks, however when he’s totally match and at his greatest, he’ll little question be a robust addition to an already sensible Liverpool aspect.

Manchester Metropolis – Ruben Dias (£65m)

Final summer time wasn’t the same old Man Metropolis window of spending, bringing in simply three new recruits. Though, they nonetheless made one massive cash signing on the again.

Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias was recruited from Benfica final September. Since then, he has produced a number of high class shows on the coronary heart of defence for Pep Guardiola’s aspect.

One other centre-back to play alongside Aymeric Laporte was desperately wanted on the Etihad Stadium, and it seems like Man Metropolis have discovered the precise man.

Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes (£55m)

No clarification wanted, actually, however I’ll give one anyway.

Folks could discuss penalties and diving and whatnot, however finally, there are only a few gamers who’ve made an affect like Bruno Fernandes upon their arrival.

The Crimson Devils grew to become a much more threatening workforce virtually in a single day when the Portuguese playmaker got here to Outdated Trafford, inspiring them to a late cost for a Champions League spot.

Newcastle United – Callum Wilson (£20m)

For the reason that departure of membership legend Alan Shearer, Newcastle United have solely had one participant exceed 15 Premier League targets in a season – that participant being Demba Ba in 2011/12.

Properly, ten video games into the brand new marketing campaign, and Callum Wilson is properly on his solution to reaching the 15-goal mark, having bagged seven already.

If he can keep injury-free, the England worldwide must be a discount signing.

Sheffield United – Sander Berge (£22m)

This time period has been nothing wanting disastrous for Sheffield United. The enjoyment of final season’s underdog Champions League chase is lengthy gone, and now it’s an actual wrestle.

Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge has been a shining gentle, nevertheless. Signed for a then-club file £22m, the midfielder had an prompt affect, producing a number of spectacular shows on the centre of the pitch.

Ought to Chris Wilder’s workforce fail to show issues round, Berge will certainly be one of many first gamers snapped up by a high tier aspect.

Southampton – Kyle Walker-Peters (£12m)

Having discovered himself caught behind Serge Aurier at Tottenham, Kyle Walker-Peters made the mortgage transfer to St. Mary’s in January, earlier than signing completely in the summertime.

It was a transfer that was greatest for all events concerned: Spurs obtained a bit of money for a participant they didn’t want, Southampton obtained a dependable right-back, and Walker-Peters obtained some common minutes.

Tottenham Hotspur – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£15m)

A key part of the Kyle Walker-Peters deal was the switch of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the other way.

The Dane was hardly a marquee signing, however he has confirmed to be a shrewd piece of enterprise by the Lilywhites.

Whereas the free-scoring Heung-min Son and Harry Kane are getting all of the plaudits, Hojbjerg is on the base of midfield holding all of it collectively on the again. The previous Bayern Munich man could not simply be Spurs’ greatest signing, but in addition the league’s signing of the summer time up to now.

West Bromwich Albion – Matheus Pereira (£9m)

After lighting up the Championship whereas on mortgage, West Brom have been capable of bag themselves a discount, securing the companies of Brazilian midfielder Matheus Pereira for simply £9m.

The playmaker is but to breed his Championship type within the high flight, however nonetheless stays one of many Baggies’ greatest gamers.

West Ham United – Tomas Soucek (£17m)

West Ham aren’t all the time essentially the most savvy within the switch market. Nonetheless, their January 2020 window introduced in nice success.

Former Hull Metropolis man Jarrod Bowen may’ve simply been chosen for this spot, having additionally impressed on the Hammers, however Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek couldn’t be ignored.

Primarily a defensive participant, Soucek has contributed at each ends on the London Stadium, discovering the web on 5 events in 24 outings.

Wolverhampton Wanderers – Daniel Podence (£17m)

Podence’s breakthrough at Wolves could have taken a little bit of time, however he’s now producing a few of his greatest stuff on the wings at Molineux.

The winger, who signed from Olympiacos in January, has began in ten of Wolves’ 11 league video games this season, scoring and helping twice.