The Three Best Signings of the Summer Window (So far)
With the new Premier League season just upon us, it’s time to review some of the best deals made by Premier League clubs thus far. It’s been one of the most entertaining windows in recent history, with plenty of ins and outs both within England and around Europe. Some clubs though have spent more wisely than others and have set themselves up for a successful Premier League campaign.
3. Jadon Sancho to Manchester United
The most expensive player on this three-man list, Jadon Sancho is certainly set to make a splash on his return to England. While this transfer has perhaps been overshadowed by the signing of Jack Grealish for Manchester City as well as rumors of Lukaku and Kane signing for new clubs in the coming days, Sancho represents smart business from the Red Devils even at a whopping 73 million pounds.
Manchester United fans have long been crying out for a top-quality right-winger. Sancho provides just that. His output in the Bundesliga over the last few seasons has been outrageous. In his three full seasons as a Dortmund player, Sancho recorded a total of 78 direct goal contributions, averaging 26 a season. The consistent quality that he has shown between the ages of 18 and 21 is something that is rarely seen across the top 5 European leagues.
Sancho’s underlying numbers further highlight his incredible abilities. Last season in the Bundesliga, Sancho was averaging 2.6 key passes and 3 dribbles per match. For context, this would have been top for United last season in both metrics.
Sancho is a player who can do it all and has proved it at the highest levels both for England and in the Champions League for Dortmund. Furthermore, Manchester United have been in need of a right-sided attacker for years now.
Over the last couple of seasons, they’ve been forced to use the likes of Daniel James on the right-wing, a player who simply isn’t at United’s ambitious level. While Mason Greenwood has slotted into that right-sided role on occasion, it’s evident that he is more suited to a central position.
Sancho is perfect for Solskjaer’s quick counter-attacking offensive style. His dribbling ability and pace on the ball make him the perfect player for United’s right flank and he should add a lot to the squad in terms of ball progression.
Playing now in an attack with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba, Sancho should be able to quickly adapt to his new environment. Even if he doesn’t immediately settle into the squad, his age allows for a slower start. He has plenty of time to grow and develop on what is already an incredible skill set.
United have successfully plugged a gaping hole in their squad by signing one of the most exciting young wingers in world football right now. His output over the last few seasons along with the longevity that offers makes this a brilliant signing even at a steep price.
2. Ibrahima Konate to Liverpool
Another transfer that has perhaps slid slightly under the radar, Konate to Liverpool was completed well before the start of the summer window. Liverpool have done incredibly well to secure the signature of the 22 year old French center-back.
Given how early they completed this deal, it is evident that Liverpool were always planning on signing a center-back, and it looks as if they put a lot of thought into the perfect man for the job. Konate comes in as great depth. Although he might start as the potentially 4th choice center back in this Liverpool squad, there was an apparent need for this sort of player last season.
Incredibly, Liverpool employed 20 center back partnerships in the Premier League last campaign, after injuries to Gomez, Matip and Van Dijk proved costly. This frailty at the back suggests that cover was dearly needed. Konate should provide just that.
Konate has made 55 starts for Leipzig over the last four seasons, and has been a critical part of the side’s development in this period. He finished as high as 2nd with the club in the Bundesliga after Leipzig placed runners-up behind Bayern last season. Although he hasn’t always been the first name on the team-sheet for Leipzig defensively, he has been a brillaint backup option at such a young age.
You’d expect him to play a similar role for Liverpool. Konate is someone who is already accustomed to playing for a top club at a high level. He made 5 Champions League starts for Leipzig last season. This European experience is something that Liverpool certainly will have considered when signing the Frenchman.
As a center-back, Konate looks as if he should fit Liverpool’s style of play. His defensive stats have never been outrageous. Last season he ranked in the 61st percentile for successful tackles amongst center-backs in Europe’s top five leagues. However, he has quality when on the ball.
He ranked in the 73th percentile for passes attempted per 90, in the 69th for passes completed, in the 80th for progressive carries and in the 99th for dribbles completed, again last season. While he is clearly still a raw defender, with his pass completion of just 85% ranking quite poorly, he has natural attributes that Klopp will look to develop.
It’s clear that he is one of the best center-backs in Europe in terms of bringing the ball out of the back. It’s rare to see a defender with such dribbling abilities and poise on the ball. Konate is also an incredible physical specimen. He stands at 194 cm and weighs an incredible 95kg. By all means he is a beast at the back.
Last season for Leipzig, Konate was winning 75.9% of his aerial duels. This ranks him in the 96th percentile among center backs.
Yes, Konate is a work in progress. However, there is no denying the incredible talent that he has already displayed playing for one of the best sides in Europe. Under the stewardship of players like van Dijk and Matip, you’d expect Konate to grow into an amazing central defender.
While Liverpool are signing a far less complete player than Sancho at United, they are paying less than half the fee, with a reported 32 million Pounds being spent on Konate. Like United, Liverpool are solving an area in which they are severely lacking depth.
Given their struggles last season, the signing of Konate is smart and sensible. In the modern age, the price is manageable as well. To sign a center-back with such great experience at such a young age is an incredibly wise move from Klopp and his recruitment team. Konate should serve them well both this season and longer term.
1. Emiliano Buendia to Aston Villa
The last name on this list is perhaps less surprising. Aston Villa have done brilliantly in the transfer market this summer and their marquee signing as been that of Emiliano Buendia, the ex-Noriwch attacking midfielder. This is an incredibly intelligent signing and probably the best of the summer window.
With the departure of Jack Grealish this summer for 100 million Pounds, Villa have done their best to fill what will be a gaping hole left in the squad. Buendia is certainly the most direct replacement. He is someone who can play on the wing or down the middle, similarly to Grealish. His output in both the Championship and during his time in the Premier League show that he can at least come close to what Grealish was producing.
Last year in the Championship Buendia finished the season on 15 goals and 16 assists. He won Championship player of they year in what was probably his best individual season to date. He lead Norwich to the Championship title as their key player.
The Championship and the Premier League are different stories. However, although at face value Buendia’s 2019/20 Premier League campaign looked disappointing, his underlying numbers painted a different picture. Despite managing just 8 goal contributions, Buendia’s one Premier League season was impressive.
During that season, Buendia was averaging 3.1 key passes per game. Incidently, this figure matches exactly what Grealish put up last season for Aston Villa. Despite managing less dribbles per match than Grealish, Buendia averaged more shots per game.
Although Buendia isn’t a perfect replica of Villa’s ex-star man, it looks as though he should be able to create chances at a similar level. Buendia’s last couple of seasons with Norwich have been outstanding. His move to a bigger side has been long awaited and Aston Villa have done brilliantly to snap him up.
The one thing that could maybe be an issue is Villa’s style of play. In comparison to Norwich, Villa are far more based around the counter-attack. This is where Grealish was brilliant - bringing the ball from within his team’s half to the opposition penalty area. Buendia has thrived in a much more possession based side, where he is able to receive the ball in advanced areas. He certainly isn’t as quick as Grealish.
However, Buendia has not been brought in to directly replace Grealish. Villa have intelligently spread the 100 million pounds they received out on a few high-quality players. It’s incredible really that they were able to spend just £32 million to essentially replace the creative output that Grealish provided.
While it might take time for Emiliano Buendia to adapt to the system, there is no doubting his quality. Aston Villa have shown incredible vision and initiative by snapping the Norwich man up from under the nose of Arsenal so early on in the window. While perhaps not the best player to arrive at a Premier League club this summer, Emiliano Buendia has certainly been the best signing.
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