While the likes of Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt might have failed to find his feet since arriving from Bayern Munich last month, a handful of Premier League summer recruits are making an immediate impact.
With England’s elite once again flexing their financial muscle during the summer transfer window as they spent a combined total of over £2billion, there has been some heavyweight new arrivals.
As the Premier League now takes another fortnight interval due to October’s international break, we have taken a look at some of the summer recruits who have really hit the ground running.
Amadou Onana – Aston Villa
Hit with two separate points deductions last season and dealing with a string of public financial issues behind the scenes at Goodison Park, it was not secret that Amadou Onana would be leaving the blue half of Merseyside over the summer.
While it might have been heavily reported over the past 12 months that Spanish giants Barcelona were a keen admirer of the 23-year-old, there was a huge amount of excitement around the Midlands when Onana put pen to paper on a long-term deal back in July.
Although the towering Belgium international might have failed to flourish during his two-year stay with Everton, the former Lille starlet has continued to shine at the heart of Unai Emery’s midfield and is certainly living up to his £50million price tag.
Forming what has been a dominant partnership alongside fellow Belgium compatriot Youri Tielemans, Onana has already registered three goals across all competitions and has become a key part of Villa’s continued fairytale this season.
What a start at Aston Villa 🤩
Amadou Onana has been nominated for @PremierLeague Player of the Month for August!
🗳️⬇️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 5, 2024
Riccardo Calafiori – Arsenal
Although fans around the Emirates might have been hoping that Arsenal would bring in a new striking superstar over the summer, Mikel Arteta had more defensive reinforcements at the top of his wishlist.
Watching Riccardo Calafiori enjoy what was a famous maiden campaign with Bologna last season as the Greyhounds secured an iconic Champions League ticket, the Italian international was one of Serie A’s breakout stars after only arriving from Basel 12 months prior.
Featuring for the Azzurri at this summer’s European Championships, the 22-year-old was being chased by some of the biggest clubs from across the continent and has gained a budding reputation for his versatility at the back.
Quickly becoming an instant hit around the red half of north London and starting all of Arsenal’s final five appearances across all competitions prior to October’s International break, Arteta has been filled with praise for the former Bologna ace and his wholehearted approach.
“It’s a BEAUTY!” 😍
What a moment for Riccardo Calafiori! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/B56ZJC88mu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Jadon Sancho – Chelsea
While Jadon Sancho might have only returned to Manchester United over the summer after helping Borussia Dortmund reach last season’s Champions League final, the 24-year-old had made it clear that he was insistant on securing a permanent move away from Old Trafford before the window slammed shut.
Sending shockwaves across the footballing world on Deadline Day as the England international completed a sensational late switch to Chelsea, Sancho has enjoyed a new lease of life since arriving in west London.
Clearly finding a home under the guidance of new boss Enzo Maresca and now drawing a line under his long-standing public feed with Erik ten Hag, Sancho has been a crucial part behind Chelsea’s stellar start to the new campaign.
Already recording three Premier League assists from just his opening four appearances, the one-time Manchester City schoolboy is starting to get back to the player that saw Manchester United invest £73million just three years ago.
Special afternoon to make my first appearance at the bridge 🅰️! +3
CP … no words needed! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Sa3kNKfOlT— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) September 28, 2024
Emile Smith Rowe – Fulham
Only making 13 Premier League appearances for Arsenal last season and dealing with a string of injury set backs, Emile Smith Rowe had accepted that his future lies away from north London.
However, only moving across the capital after Fulham agreed a £35million deal for the England international, the 23-year-old is relishing life at Craven Cottage and has certainly cemented his spot as one of the summer’s Signings of the Season.
Making tit clear that he wants to get regular first-team action and find a route back into England’s squad after not making a senior appearance since 2022, Smith Rowe has been a vital part of Fulham’s eye-catching start to the new campaign.
Already notching a pair of Premier League goals and a top-flight assist from his first seven appearances, the now-former Arsenal star has been given a newfound freedom in west London and is spearheading a Fulham side that could be dreaming of the chance of mounting a genuine European charge.
⚪️⚫️🪄 Two goals, one assist in five games at Fulham for Emile Smith-Rowe.
Nobody will remember:
– Your salary
– How “busy you were”
– How many hours you workedPeople will remember:
– Emile Smith Rowe’s home debut goal for Fulham pic.twitter.com/QkPfKaHPer— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 24, 2024
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