The Premier League’s five best summer signings so far

12 Oct 2023 14:15 BST
5 min read

Dominik Szoboszlai, Declan Rice — © ProShots

The first eight matches of the 2023-24 Premier League season have been completed, with the 20 clubs in the English top flight given a chance to reflect on the campaign so far during the October international break.

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur lead the way with 20 points, narrowly ahead of their north London rivals Arsenal on goal difference.

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They are the only two teams with an unbeaten record so far after Manchester City suffered back-to-back losses in the league for the first time since Boxing Day 2018.

Over €2.73 billion was spent by Premier League clubs during the most recent summer transfer window, with Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea spending the most of any club (€462.1 million).

FootballTransfers lists the five best summer arrivals over the first eight matches.

The five best Premier League transfers summer signings so far

James Maddison - €46.3m (Leicester to Tottenham)

James Maddison has two goals and five assists (the joint-most in the league) in eight league matches for Tottenham and his relationship with Son Heung-min looks every bit as devastating as the Korea Republic star’s former connection with Harry Kane.

Maddison has seamlessly slotted into the Tottenham team and the fact he is already vice-captain proves how quickly he has settled in.

He is one of the Premier League’s very best attacking midfielders and he is already carrying the creative burden at Spurs. His impact both on and off the pitch has been huge for a team who look as though they may compete at the sharp-end this season.

Declan Rice - €116.6m (West Ham to Arsenal)

Declan Rice was the most expensive signing in world football this summer and the Arsenal man has lived up to lofty expectations so far.

He has become a key member of Mikel Arteta’s side already and has experienced no issues with the step up to playing for a team expected to dominate proceedings in almost every match.

Rice also scored the late winner against Manchester United, which has helped the Gunners keep pace with their north London rivals Tottenham.

© ProShots - Declan Rice with Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber

The fact Rice has slotted in without any worries proves what an effective signing this has been. The England international has experienced no issues and looks just as good, if not better, as he did at West Ham.

James Ward-Prowse - €34.8m (Southampton to West Ham)

West Ham signed James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez to replace Rice, with two players needed to fill the void left by the new Arsenal man.

Alvarez has covered Rice’s defensive nous, while Ward-Prowse has been given licence to replicate his countryman’s ability to drive up the pitch.

The latter has been the secret weapon that David Moyes was crying out for. West Ham were already a massive threat from set pieces, thanks to their huge squad, and they now have the best free-kick and corner taker in world football in their team.

As a result, it’s perhaps no surprise that Ward-Prowse has registered three league assists this season (as well as three in the Europa League).

In addition, the Englishman has also scored two goals as West Ham look set to challenge for European football this season.

Dominik Szoboszlai - €70m (RB Leipzig to Liverpool)

Dominik Szoboszlai cost Liverpool €70m this summer, but that price tag has barely been spoken about. That is a sign of success and the Hungarian has been nothing but a success so far.

His energy has added life in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield and he’s been able to combine that out-of-possession work with elite on-ball attributes too.

He may only have one goal (and zero assists) in the Premier League so far, but Szoboszlai’s impact super-seeds goal contributions and his work has arguably unlocked Mohamed Salah, who has five goals and four assists in eight league matches this season.

Micky van de Ven - €40m (Wolfsburg to Tottenham)

There were certainly doubts about Micky van de Ven when Spurs paid Wolfsburg €40m to sign him this summer, but that fee already looks like a bargain.

© ProShots - Micky van de Ven, Tottenham

The Dutchman has already struck up a fantastic partnership with Christian Romero to his right and Destiny Udogie to his left, and his ability to defend in wide areas has given Udogie the freedom to advance up the flank with no concerns.

Van de Ven wasn’t the big-name defender to join the Premier League from the Bundesliga this summer - that title belongs to Josko Gvardiol - but he’s been magnificent.

Plus, he scored the winner in Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Luton before the October international break.