Player Grades for the 20 Biggest 2015 Summer Transfer Window Signings
We're just about a third of the way through the Premier League season, so it's a good time to take stock and evaluate just who is performing well.
With a vast amount of money spent by the mega-rich clubs in the summer months, how are their new boys settling in, and who have been the brightest stars?
Using this Daily Telegraph piece as our guide, we're going to give the 20 most expensive Premier League summer imports a grade to assess how they're doing.
Who'll be the star pupil, and who'll need to stay after class?
Players are ranked 20-1 in order of the size of their transfer fee, according to the Daily Telegraph.
19=. Xherdan Shaqiri: C
1 of 20
From: Internazionale
To: Stoke City
Fee: £11.9 million
It was one of the summer moves that really shocked the Premier League, but Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri has been nothing more than just “OK” during his stint at Stoke City.
A player with immense promise who was tipped to shine in the Potteries by several sources over the summer, Shaqiri hasn’t quite got going, as he’s perhaps struggled to adapt to the pace of the division.
He’s still had his flashes of genius, but Stoke supporters were surely expecting more than just flashes from a player whose No. 22 shirt set the record for the fastest-selling jersey in the club’s history when he arrived in August, according to a club statement (via Eurosport).
Better is surely to come, and Stoke fans will hope it comes quickly.
19=. Salomon Rondon: B-
2 of 20
From: Zenit Saint Petersburg
To: West Bromwich Albion
Fee: £11.9 million
Also coming in at £11.9 million was the Venezuelan forward Salomon Rondon’s move from Zenit Saint Petersburg to West Bromwich Albion, where he has already established himself as the first-choice pick for Tony Pulis thanks to his powerful hold-up play and strong aerial ability.
Rondon has managed three goals in a West Brom side that doesn’t exactly carve out many chances for him, with two of those strikes—the efforts away at Stoke City and Norwich City—coming as the only goals of their respective games and giving the Baggies valuable points.
Without those efforts, they’d be a lot closer to the relegation zone. In Rondon, Pulis has a combination of a player who can both hold the ball up and compete physically with several of the strongest defenders in the league, something fellow summer signing Rickie Lambert has been struggling to do of late.
17=. Florian Thauvin: D
3 of 20
From: Marseille
To: Newcastle United
Fee: £12 million
Highly rated upon his arrival at Newcastle United in the summer, it just hasn’t quite happened for Florian Thauvin on Tyneside just yet—a little like how it hasn’t happened for the club as a whole.
There was an encouraging 20-minute cameo on his debut for the club in a goalless draw at Manchester United, as well as a goal just three minutes into his first St James’ Park appearance against Northampton Town in the League Cup, but he has otherwise been restricted to largely forgettable substitute appearances as manager Steve McClaren works out the best way to use a player who scored seven goals in 10 France under-21 appearances.
The fact his most famous moment at the club to date came when he wore a tuxedo to the clash with Arsenal, per Sky Sports, speaks volumes.
17=. Clinton N'Jie: C-
4 of 20
From: Lyon
To: Tottenham Hotspur
Fee: £12 million
Tottenham were desperate for some attacking cover for Harry Kane in the summer, and ended up making moves for Clinton N’Jie of Lyon and Son Heung-Min of Bayer Leverkusen.
More on the South Korean later, but in N’Jie, Spurs seem to have ended up with a player who seems desperate to want to make things happen who hasn’t quite got the hang of doing that just yet.
The Cameroonian has yet to score for Spurs in nine appearances in all competitions, but in his defence, plenty of those have been from the bench as a replacement for the likes of Kane, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen.
His best opportunity perhaps came in the Premier League clash at home to Liverpool in October, when he came on as an early replacement for the injured Nacer Chadli, but he seemed to suffer from nerves and let too much of the game pass him by.
There's no doubt he can do better, and he will soon need to.
16. Nathaniel Clyne: B
5 of 20
From: Southampton
To: Liverpool
Fee: £12.4 million
Although he was the fourth of four players to make his way from Southampton to Liverpool in the past year, there was always a sense Nathaniel Clyne was going to be the one who was guaranteed to prove a success.
Both the reasonable price tag and the right-back’s Premier League experience marked him out as a fine addition for the Reds, and Clyne is certain to be one of Brendan Rodgers’ summer signings new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp approved of after he arrived at the club in October.
Comfortable both in defence and attack, Clyne managed to score his first goal for the Reds the League Cup victory over Bournemouth at Anfield in the fourth round as the Reds progressed in that competition, and he continues to slot impressively into a defence that looks improved with Klopp’s arrival.
15. Matteo Darmian: B-
6 of 20
From: Torino
To: Manchester United
Fee: £12.6 million
From looking a superb acquisition in the opening few weeks of the season, Matteo Darmian’s stock has dipped a little at Manchester United, but there is still little doubt that, at £12.6 million, the Italy international is an excellent signing.
Like Clyne, he is comfortable both in attacking and defensive positions, and he began his United career with a series of impressive displays in which he raided down the wing from right-back.
However, he was found wanting in a couple of United’s away matches at both Southampton and Arsenal in the past couple of months, and as such, his status as a guaranteed starter under Louis van Gaal has been affected somewhat.
He is certain to win his regular place back sooner or later, though, and the Italian will be a key figure for his manager as United prepare for the battles ahead.
14. Aleksandar Mitrovic: C
7 of 20
From: Anderlecht
To: Newcastle United
Fee: £13 million
After picking up two yellow cards and one red in his first four Premier League appearances, Newcastle United’s Serbian firebrand Aleksandar Mitrovic has calmed down a little since, scoring his first Premier League goals in back-to-back games in October—in the 6-1 defeat at Manchester City and the 6-2 victory over Norwich City.
Such extreme highs and lows look as though they are going to be the bedrock of the former Partizan Belgrade forward’s time at St James’ Park, but there is little doubt the 21-year-old is a talent and that the Newcastle fans have taken to him.
Clever movement and an ability to link up with his team-mates provide a good base for a successful time in English football, and it could just be Mitrovic really comes into his own once he mellows a little and cuts out his indiscipline.
13. Baba Rahman: C
8 of 20
From: Augsburg
To: Chelsea
Fee: £14 million
This has got to be the worst time to be a new player at Chelsea, but the 21-year-old Baba Rahman would have known he was going to have to be patient and wait for his chance in Jose Mourinho’s side even if they were playing at the top of their game.
The Ghanaian joined from German side Augsburg in the summer and was immediately seen as one for the future, but he’s still managed seven appearances in Mourinho’s first team over a 2015/16 campaign that could barely have gone worse for the Blues.
The swift decline of Branislav Ivanovic has opened up an opportunity for Baba to stake a claim to a place in the team, but Mourinho has frequently preferred to keep Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back and play Kurt Zouma on the right.
Rahman still has lots to learn, but at £14 million, you’d have hoped he would have done a little more than he currently has.
11=. Georginio Wijnaldum: A
9 of 20
From: PSV Eindhoven
To: Newcastle United
Fee: £15 million
Memphis Depay’s switch from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United was seen as the headline move from the Eredivisie to the Premier League in the summer, but it has been Georginio Wijnaldum who has outshone the wide man thanks to his terrific displays for Newcastle United.
Looking a bargain at £15 million, Wijnaldum’s goalscoring exploits from midfield have been crucial as Newcastle have battled against mediocrity for much of the season, with the Dutchman’s four goals in the 6-2 win at home to Norwich City serving as surely the highlight of the Magpies’ campaign.
Breaking from midfield and demonstrating an excellent sense of timing when it comes to heading the ball, Wijnaldum has instantly become a fan favourite and is easily one of the best signings of the summer.
11=. Bastian Schweinsteiger: B-
10 of 20
From: Bayern Munich
To: Manchester United
Fee: £15 million
Heralded as one of the signings of the summer when he joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich, it has been clear to see that Bastian Schweinsteiger has lost some of his swagger and his all-action style because of injuries he's suffered down the years, but there is also no doubt that the German World Cup winner commands respect.
Although yet to score in 19 appearances for the Old Trafford club, he has brought a level of authority and calmness to the centre of the United midfield, an area where the Red Devils used to struggle but is now seen as a key strength in Louis van Gaal’s pragmatic setup.
It would be nice to see United speed things up from time to time, but in Van Gaal’s system, Schweinsteiger has become an important cog in the machine.
10. Pedro: C-
11 of 20
From: Barcelona
To: Chelsea
Fee: £21.1 million
You could argue the story of Pedro Rodriguez’s Chelsea career so far pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the defending champions’ struggles in the Premier League.
Signed to a huge fanfare as the Blues beat off competition from Manchester United, the Spain international has been unable to demonstrate any of the form that made him such a valuable squad player at Barcelona, and he’s scored just once in the league—on his debut at West Bromwich Albion.
At most other times, the 28-year-old has looked a little lost in his new surroundings, and although the club’s struggles can’t be blamed on a player experiencing his first few months in a new culture and style of football, he isn’t really doing much to help turn their form around.
A proven performer, Pedro has been a big disappointment at Stamford Bridge so far.
9. Son Heung-Min: B
12 of 20
From: Bayer Leverkusen
To: Tottenham Hotspur
Fee: £22 million
Injuries have restricted South Korea’s Son Heung-Min to just seven appearances in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt since his move from Bayer Leverkusen. Had he managed to make more, then there is every possibility he’d be getting a higher grade here.
That’s because what we’ve seen of the 23-year-old so far has been highly promising. He put in an eye-catching display on his home debut, scoring two goals in the Europa League win over Qarabag, followed by the winner against Crystal Palace on his first Premier League appearance at White Hart Lane.
It was unfortunate, then, that injury ruled him out of the whole of October, and with Spurs having played some of their best football under Mauricio Pochettino since, he might find it tough to get his starting place back.
He’s likely to relish the challenge, though, and he is a good enough player to force his way back into his manager’s plans.
8. Morgan Schneiderlin: A-
13 of 20
From: Southampton
To: Manchester United
Fee: £24.5 million
Arriving at Manchester United on the same day as Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin might not be as big a name on the European stage as the Germany international, but Louis van Gaal knew he was getting a player who could excel in the Premier League.
Having experienced life up and down the English league system with Southampton, Schneiderlin has become the model of a consistent deep-lying midfielder, and the 26-year-old is now seen as United’s long-term replacement for the ageing Michael Carrick.
Possessing excellent passing and positional abilities, the France international has quickly become a crucial player in the United system under Van Gaal, and his screening of the defence is a key element in what the Dutchman is trying to achieve.
Schneiderlin scored his first and so far only goal for United in a 3-0 win at Everton in October, but it is his contribution to the team ethic that has won him friends at Old Trafford.
7. Memphis Depay: C+
14 of 20
From: PSV Eindhoven
To: Manchester United
Fee: £25 million
His arrival was one of the standout deals of the summer, but it is safe to say Memphis Depay has failed to set pulses racing during his Manchester United career so far.
The Dutchman certainly started well and got Old Trafford collectively salivating with two excellently taken goals on just second appearance at the ground in a 3-1 Champions League playoff victory over Club Brugge, but since then his form as noticeably stuttered.
He was substituted at half-time in United’s matches against Liverpool and Arsenal—always among the biggest occasions of the club’s season—and he’s been in and out of the side as Louis van Gaal has instead put his trust in the likes of Anthony Martial and Juan Mata.
Still just 21, Memphis should certainly be granted the grace that comes with both youth and his talent, but he might be more than a little anxious his United career hasn’t quite taken off like everyone thought it would.
6. Roberto Firmino: C
15 of 20
From: Hoffenheim
To: Liverpool
Fee: £29 million
Liverpool supporters were understandably delighted with the capture of Brazil international Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim in the summer, with the 24-year-old possessing an impressive highlight reel featuring goals for club and country.
Injury issues, the closing weeks of the Brendan Rodgers reign and the usual time it takes to settle into life in England have all played their part as Firmino has endured a slow start to life at Anfield, but there have recently been signs he is beginning to spark into life.
In Jurgen Klopp, Firmino has a coach who will be well aware of what he can do from his time in German football, and as the Reds No. 11 has returned to full fitness, it has been interesting to see how the former Borussia Dortmund boss has begun to rely upon him more and more—starting with him in a false-nine role in the 3-1 win at Chelsea at the end of October.
If Firmino steers clear of injury, this grade is only going to go up.
5. Nicolas Otamendi: A-
16 of 20
From: Valencia
To: Manchester City
Fee: £32 million
Vincent Kompany can’t go on forever in the heart of the Manchester City defence, and in Nicolas Otamendi, the club have brought in a dominant defender who could one day find himself usurping the club captain.
The Argentina international had to be patient following his City debut, suffering defeats in three of his first four games for the club. But since those early wobbles he’s gone on the represent a rock at the back for Manuel Pellegrini, ensuring City haven’t conceded more than one goal in a game since the 4-1 hammering at Tottenham at the end of September.
Otamendi has weighed in at the other end, too, scoring a vital goal in the recent home win over Norwich City with the kind of thumping header for which he became famous in Spain. And as he grows into his role at the club, he only looks as though he’s going to get better.
4. Christian Benteke: B
17 of 20
From: Aston Villa
To: Liverpool
Fee: £32.5 million
Everyone knew what Liverpool were getting when they brought in Christian Benteke from Aston Villa in the summer—namely the ability to score Premier League goals and a physical presence in the final third of the pitch.
Whether the Reds overpaid when they triggered the £32.5 million release clause in the Belgian’s contract with Villa remains to be seen, but Benteke has had something of stop-start beginning to his Anfield career as he’s suffered with injuries—as have a lot of his team-mates.
He’s scored four goals in nine league appearances for the club so far, including a stunning acrobatic effort in the 3-1 loss at Manchester United and the late effort that put the gloss on a win by the same scoreline at Chelsea.
There is little doubt Klopp will see him as a key ingredient in what he’s trying to build at Liverpool, and the Belgian’s strong but stuttering start is a promising beginning.
3. Anthony Martial: A
18 of 20
From: Monaco
To: Manchester United
Fee: £36 million
There were senses of both anticipation and intrigue at the arrival of Anthony Martial at Manchester United this summer, and it is safe to say the 19-year-old has lived up to every possible expectation of him in his short career at Old Trafford so far.
Quick and with a terrific ability to retain control of the ball when he is running at full pace, Martial has wasted no time in winning over the United supporters—who have loved him since he burst onto the scene with an excellent goal against Liverpool on his debut.
With a European Championship in his homeland to prepare for in the summer, the teenager is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best young attackers around and is also making a mockery of those who questioned just why United shelled out such a huge fee for him.
2. Raheem Sterling: B+
19 of 20
From: Liverpool
To: Manchester City
Fee: £49 million
Given he’s young and English and the gact Manchester City were paying a vast amount of money to take him away from Liverpool, there was always going to be a keen scrutiny on just how Raheem Sterling would do during his first season at the Etihad Stadium. The current verdict? Good, but he perhaps could do better.
The wide man has scored six goals for his new club so far—with half of those coming in a 6-1 hammering of Bournemouth, during which he registered a first career hat-trick—and the fact he is playing with better players than those he struggled alongside at Liverpool last season means he seems to be getting better.
There are certainly aspects to his game he needs to improve upon, though—with his finishing being the prime one—but the beauty of Sterling is he is so young and has so much time in which to keep getting better and better.
1. Kevin De Bruyne: A
20 of 20
From: Wolfsburg
To: Manchester City
Fee: £54 million
When Kevin De Bruyne moved back to English football this summer, it was telling there were plenty who described him as a “Chelsea flop.” However, those people were unaware the Belgium international’s game had been elevated several levels thanks to a couple of seasons of regular football at Wolfsburg.
An attacking midfielder with all the traits you need to succeed in the position, De Bruyne has wasted little time in proving his status as the summer’s most expensive buy is a deserved one, scoring six goals in his brief City career so far and contributing to plenty more.
Adding that element of pace and dynamism to City’s attack that was certainly missing last season, De Bruyne has been terrific and has quickly become one of the very best players in a division he failed to set alight at Chelsea.
He cost a lot of money, but he’s proving to be worth it.
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