Premier League: The top ten signings in 2019

Another year, another billion pounds spent by Premier League clubs in the summer transfer market. An estimated £1.41 billion was splashed to bring in new recruits ahead of the new season, which kicks off tonight as Liverpool takes on Norwich City. The total spending was only a shade less than the record £1.43 billion spent in the summer of 2017.

Just like last year, the transfer window for English teams to buy players slammed shut a day ahead of the new season. Other European leagues have their windows open till the end of August, leaving Premier League clubs vulnerable to losing key players without being able to replace them until the next transfer window in January.

Defending champion Manchester City had a typical summer, bolstering the squad with stars that fit the Pep Guardiola mould. After several high-profile buys last summer champions of Europe Liverpool had a lean two months, with no major recruits. Chelsea served a transfer ban and its biggest and only signing happens to be club legend Frank Lampard, now in a managerial role.

ALSO READ: Premier League: The summer transfer fantasy team

Champions League finalist Tottenham finally made their first purchases since January 2018 and dominated deadline day by roping in young defender Ryan Sessegnon and Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

The summer’s biggest winner has to be Arsenal with a handful of signings that now makes Unai Emery’s side look like a serious title contender. Leicester City had an interesting window, selling their best defender for a record price, and tying down the promising Youri Tielemans. Manchester United made the most expensive signing of the window by purchasing a much-needed centre back in Harry Maguire.

As the 10-month-long season kicks off, with the addition of VAR and a brief winter break among the new additions, here are ten signings this time that look the best:

Rodri (MF, Man City)

Billed as the next Sergio Busquets, Pep Guardiola has brought in a young defensive midfielder who fits perfectly into a squad that loves to hold on to the ball. No wonder he was deemed surplus to Atletico Madrid’s requirements. A long-term replacement for Fernandinho, the 23-year-old Spaniard was bought for a reported £64 million and has already shown his class in the pre-season.

Nicolas Pepe (MF, Arsenal)

Only Killian Mbappe scored more goals in the French Ligue One last season than Nicolas Pepe’s 22. A terror on the right wing, Pepe will add muscle and speed to Arsenal’s already fearsome attack. Arsenal broke the bank to bring the bring the 24-year-old Ivory Coast player from Lille for a club record price of £72 million. Getting the Gunners back to the Champions League will be his biggest task.

Moise Kean (FW, Everton)

Considering Kean, 19, is Italy’s top striker and one that was meant to be Juventus’s boy wonder, it is a shock transfer no less. But Everton does have a reputation of helping young promising strikers develop. For a paltry sum of £25 million, Everton have made an incredible investment. It was even better that they welcomed him by presenting a jersey to his mother, telling her that they would take care of her boy. This came as a heartwarming gesture after Kean was subject to racial abuse in Italy.

Tanguy Ndombele (MF, Tottenham)

Mauricio Pochettino went big this time with a £54 million purchase of a Moussa Dembele-type player in Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele. His ability to dribble his way into the final third and dictate play makes him an incredible midfield presence. French national coach Didier Deschamps is said to have had an eye on the 22-year-old the longest before he made his international debut in October last year.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DF, Man United)

Be it in attack or defence, Crystal Palace had to rely on the resilience of Aaron Wan-Bissaka on more than a few occasions. It got them a good 50 million by selling the 21-year-old Englishman to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United, who will finally get to plug the hole created by Ashley Young’s inefficiency in right back.

Kieran Tierney (DF, Arsenal)

The Arsenal defence has been one of much embarrassment to the club, particularly with the way it allowed players—most notably Mohammed Salah—to glide through them last season. Nabbing Kieran Tierney from Celtic on deadline day to play on the left will have brought sighs of relief from Arsenal fans.

Youri Tielemans (MF, Leicester)

One of the notable young stars of last year’s World Cup was Monaco’s Youri Tielemans. Leicester City used the big sum they got from the sale of Harry Maguire to sign this creative midfielder after he spent six months on loan at the club from January. Tielemans impressed in his brief spell at Leicester, scoring some vital goals too. A real talent to watch out for.

Pablo Fornals (MF, West Ham)

At Villareal last season, Fornals notched up the joint highest assists. The others? Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Going by the attacking and midfield talent that West Ham already have, it does a bit unnecessary. But Fornals brings the best of both worlds—creativity in midfield and an eye for goal. He is 23 and billed to be one of the pivots of the Spanish national team one day.

Joao Cancelo (DF, Man City)

Bringing in Cancelo from Juventus in exchange for the slightly underwhelming Danilo is another piece of brilliant business on the part of Guardiola. The Portuguese Cancelo was had featured on a number of transfer wish lists this time and ended his time at Turin within just 12 months to make the step up to the attack-minded Manchester City defence.

Harry Maguire (DF, Man United)

One of England’s best defenders, Maguire finally signed for Manchester United this summer after a protracted transfer saga that involved a number of clubs. The world’s most expensive defender, at £80 million was an absolute rock for Leicester City last season and continues to be a starter for his national side. The signing bolsters the club’s bid for a top four spot.

Other notable signings:

Dani Ceballos (Arsenal), David Luiz (Arsenal), Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham), Alex Iwobi (Everton), Andy Carroll (Newcastle), Tom Heaton (Aston Villa).