Watching Premier League clubs shatter the summer transfer record as they spent over £2billion, it has largely been England’s elite superstars that stole most of the headlines.
Along with England skipper Harry Kane securing an historic £100million switch to German giants Bayern Munich, a string of Gareth Southgate’s squad have been on the move this summer.
Ahead of England making a return to European Championship qualifying duties on Saturday evening when they meet Ukraine, we have taken a look at a few Three Lions stars who have made an immediate impact after securing a Premier League switch this summer.
Declan Rice
Eventually securing a British transfer record switch to Arsenal this summer after the Gunners agreed to a £105million deal with West Ham, Declan Rice certainly found a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders after arriving at the Emirates.
Nevertheless, playing a crucial role as the Hammers were crowned Europa Conference League champions back in June, the ex-Chelsea schoolboy has already become a smash hit in north London.
Bagging his first goal for Mikel Arteta’s young squad last weekend as Arsenal snatched a remarkable 3-1 victory at home against Manchester United, Rice is already playing a crucial role in the heart of the Gunners’ midfield.
Quickly becoming regarded as one of world football’s most elite holding midfielders during his tenure with West Ham, the 24-year-old looks set to be a key part of Arsenal’s title charge this season.
Starting in each of Arsenal’s opening four Premier League appearances since completing his record-breaking move to the Emirates, Rice is already being tipped as a future Gunners skipper down the line.
James Maddison
Watching Leicester shockingly lose their Premier League status last season following what was a nightmare campaign under Brendan Rodgers, almost everyone around the King Power had accepted that their attacking talisman would be on the move this summer.
While the Foxes might have also seen Harvey Barnes complete his own switch to Champions League returners Newcastle, it was James Maddison’s departure that certainly stole most of the headlines last month.
Completing a £40million move to Tottenham, the one-time Norwich starlet was almost immediately appointed as one of Spurs’ vice-captains for this season and has become a real fan favourite during the early days of his tenure in north London.
Once again finding the net away at Burnley last weekend as Tottenham stormed their way to an action-packed 5-2 victory, new boss Ange Postecoglou has been filled with praise for his new star.
Already recording two goals and a further pair of assists in his opening four Premier League appearances so far this season, Maddison now has his sights set on guiding Spurs to a lucrative Champions League return in 2024.
James Ward-Prowse
Controversially left out of Southgate’s squad for this month’s European Championship qualifiers, neutrals from across the country feel that James Ward-Prowse should consider himself hard done by after once again being snubbed.
Almost in an identical position to Maddison after suffering top-flight relegation with boyhood club Southampton, the 27-year-old finally booked an immediate Premier League return after West Ham agreed on a £30million deal with the Saints last month.
Forming an eye-catching early partnership with fellow summer recruit Edson Alvarez, Ward-Prowse has received a string of plaudits from Hammers fans and appears to have a key role to play in David Moyes’ squad this season.
Doing a stellar job of filling Rice’s void in the middle of the London Stadium pitch, Ward-Prowse has already notched one goal and a trio of assists in his opening three Premier League appearances for the top-six dreamers.
Offering West Ham a new-found lethal edge from set pieces, some have even tipped the 11-cap international is already being tipped as one of the potential signings of the summer.
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