The January arrivals who have made an immediate impact

For any player across the continent, the prospect of swapping sides halfway through a season can be a real challenge for a long list of reasons.

From adapting to a new country to playing under a new boss with different ideas, the Premier League has been littered with stars who have failed to immediately find their feet after a mid-season switch.

However, on some occasions, a January arrival can really hit the ground running and be a real catalyst to a club’s momentum during the second half of the campaign.

So, who are the Premier League’s January arrivals who have really made the biggest impact for their respective clubs this year?

Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United

Hit with a 2-0 defeat at home against Burnley only days before his arrival at Old Trafford, not even the most avid Manchester United fan could have predicted the remarkable impact that Bruno Fernandes has made.

While his consolation strike might not have been enough to prevent the Reds crashing out of the FA Cup over the weekend, the 25-year-old has quite simply been a revelation since making a move from Sporting Lisbon.

Appearing to be worth every penny of his initial £47million transfer fee, the Portuguese playmaker has completely turned around the mood in the red half of Manchester almost single-handedly.

With only their goal difference keeping them outside the top-four and with a Champions League finish at the top of their agenda with two contests remaining, Fernandes has only continued to break records at Old Trafford in his first six months.

Converting from the spot at Villa Park earlier in the month, he has been directly involved in 13 goals in his first 10 Premier League games for Manchester United, with seven goals and six assists.

In fact, his performances have been so impressive that the 25-year-old was named as Manchester United’s Player of the Month for the third time in a row a few weeks ago.

Forming an all-star partnership with World Cup-winner Paul Pogba, it is hard to think of January arrival during the Premier League era who has had more of an immediate impact than Fernandes.

Tomas Soucek – West Ham

Putting on a first half clinic against Watford on Friday night, West Ham have all but maintained their Premier League status and they have one new signing in particular who has played a crucial part in their charge for survival.

While the free-scoring Michail Antonio might be stealing most the headlines at the London Stadium, Tomas Soucek has quickly cemented himself as fan favourite in East London.

Bagging the Hammers’ second strike against the Hornets, the Czech Republic international has bagged three goals since the restart and has offered David Moyes’ midfield with a real steel.

With no Premier League player covering more ground than the 25-year-old, his arrival has also played a crucial role in Declan Rice’s recent success.

Speaking to Sky Sports about his stunning start in East London, Soucek also spoke about his excitement at making his move from Slavia Prague a permanent one this summer.

Expected to complete a deal in the region of £16million when the Hammers’ Premier League status is officially confirmed, the 6ft 3inch midfielder has already been dubbed as ‘The Czech Patrick Veira’ by West Ham fans and is proving to be a real steal for Moyes’ men.

Elsewhere and also deserving an honourable mention is another of West Ham’s January arrivals, Jarrod Bowen.

Joining the Hammers on deadline day earlier in the year, the former Hull winger has already provided three assists since the restart, more than any other player in the Premier League.

Tariq Lamptey – Brighton

While Tariq Lamptey’s deadline day move to Brighton back in January might have flown under the radar, the 19-year-old has really burst onto the scene at the Amex and has quickly become a Premier League hidden gem.

Despite being in high regard by Chelsea and offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge, the young full-back elected to link up with Graham Potters’ Seagulls on a deal that runs until 2023.

Opting to leave the capital in search of regular first-team football, Lamptey has only gone from strength to strength since making his Brighton debut in their 0-0 draw against Leicester last month.

Picking up the Man of the Match award and a string of plaudits for his display at Carrow Road earlier in the month, Lamptey has almost found himself as undroppable, despite originally being seen as one for the future at the Amex.

A member of England’s squad at the 2019 Under-19 European Championships, Lamptey has now started in Brighton’s last six top-flight contests on the bounce and jumped ahead of the experienced Martin Montoya in Potter’s pecking order.

The latest right-back sensation to come off of England’s production line, the 5ft 3inch defender has played a crucial role in Brighton’s charge for top-flight safety.

Within touching distance of officially extending their Premier League status this summer, there is no doubt that Lamptey has proven to be a shrewd move from the former Swansea boss.