Top 5 summer signings of Premier League 2020-21
When the pandemic struck football six months ago, everyone predicted a dull transfer market across Europe. Football pundits even predicted fewer signings from the English Premier League clubs as the matchday revenue was unavailable owing to the pandemic. Also, the merchandise sale was expected to be low as they do not expect fans to feature in the stadium in the first half of the season. However, things have changed drastically and clubs are splashing the money in the transfer market.
A club like Chelsea, who were banned from signing the players in the previous two transfer windows owing to FFP regulations, have owned the transfer windows. To date, Chelsea has signed seven players and they are still in the transfer market for a goalkeeper. On the other hand, Liverpool have signed only one player and probably they might end up signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich in the latter stages of the window. The mid-table clubs are slow in getting off the mark but are hopeful of completing the transfer before October 5.
Here are the top five summer signings of the 2020/21 season with four weeks to go.
#5) Willian
After sealing the top-four spot along with Chelsea, the Brazilian international, Willian was expected to sign the new contract with the Blues. However, the player’s demand for a three years contract was not met and Willian became a free agent.
On the other hand. Arsenal were struggling to sign a star player who can be both efficient on and off the pitch owing to their absence from the Champions League. It was their FA Cup victory against Chelsea which helped them to get a European spot. Otherwise, it would have been more difficult for Mikel Arteta to sign players. With Willian appearing as a free agent, Arsenal snapped him up for free of cost. Nobody knows how the player might fare at Emirates but we can tip it as both a bargain and one among the top 5 summer signings of the season.
#4) Donny van de Beek
Manchester United could not sign the players in the transfer window and fans were growing impatient. One of the major reasons was Ed Woodward’s inability to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund who is still the priority for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The talks are still going on and if signed, he would become one of the top 5 summer signings of the 2020/21 season.
On the other hand, Ed Woodward surprised everyone with his acumen and quick dealing of Donny van de Beek from Ajax for a reported fee of 40 million euros. The rumour surfaced on Saturday and the club announced him by Monday evening. Manchester United once looks like a settled side and a top-four contender after the signing of Netherlands international.
#3) Timo Werner
The German international and former RB Leipzig striker was one of the initial arrivals at Stamford Bridge at the start of the 2020/21 season. The player was eager to join Frank Lampard and didn’t even appear in the Champions League knockout stages for RB Leipzig which were held in August.
Good start, first of hopefully many goals! 😆🔵 @Calteck10 @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/TgyNMpqled
— Timo Werner (@TimoWerner) August 29, 2020
After being barred for two transfer windows, the club flexed its muscles in the transfer market. Timo Werner was snapped up for a reported fee of 53 million euros. Chelsea struggled in the previous season without a proper striker after Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham blew hot and cold throughout the season. On the other hand, Timo Werner was great in Bundesliga for RB Leipzig with 28 goals and eight assists in 34 games. Also, he scored 6 G/A in UEFA Champions League for his club. He is expected to lift the mood in Chelsea’s camp and he can be one of the top 5 summer signings of 2020 if he justifies his price tag.
#2) James Rodriguez
After Everton were in the relegation zone in the first half of the 2019/20 season, the management decided to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as their manager. The former Real Madrid manager’s arrival seemed like a boost to the depleting side who finished in the 11th place at the end of the season.
The Real Madrid outcast, James Rodriguez spent his 2019/20 season with injury and Bayern Munich who wasn’t effective either. Since his arrival at Santiago Bernabeu after an impressive 2014 FIFA WC, the player’s form and transfer value has dropped drastically. However, Carlo Ancelotti has provided him with both the escape and rejuvenation route after Everton sealed the player for a reported fee of 32 million euros. If the player can provide the much-required impetus, he can surely amongst the top 5 summer signings of 2020. Can he prove himself?
#1) Kai Havertz
It seems like that Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich took the two-window transfer ban personally after looking at his spending. Though most of the signings are funded by Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata’s sale to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively, it is his spending which has raised the eyebrows of football pundits. The expensive signing of the 2020/21 transfer window across Europe and is one amongst the top 5 summer signings of 2020.
Frank Lampard convinced Bayern Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz to join Chelsea instead of Bayern Munich who found the price a bit high for the 21-year-old. Chelsea sealed the attacking midfielder for a reported fee of 80 million euros who is known for skills and goal-scoring abilities.
