The 2019/20 Premier League season is off to a flyer with big names like Sergio Aguero and Sadio Mane stepping up their game once again for their respective teams. However, the English clubs opened their coffers generously to secure the services of some of the promising up-and-comers in European football.
Here we look at the top signings in the summer transfer window that are tipped to surpass the expectations of their managers and fans alike.
Harry Maguire (Leicester City to Manchester United)
Once a solid figure in Leicester City’s back line, Harry Maguire decided to leave the shores of the Foxes to make his dream move to Manchester United. The 26-year-old English centre-back's signing was of utmost importance for the Red Devils. With a hefty build and a phenomenal track record of being fit and less injury-prone, Maguire can surely take up the charge of the defensive duties at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is getting a player who is good in the air, capable of helping the team from set pieces, can retrieve balls and has satisfactory long passing skills. This clearly shows why the folks at Old Trafford shelled out a whopping £80 million to procure him.
Nicolas Pepe (Lille to Arsenal)
Nicolas Pepe’s record at Lille in Ligue1 was nothing short of spectacular. He netted 22 goals and provided 11 assists in his previous season in France. Arsenal was convinced that Pepe is surely their guy and to leave him hanging for any other club would be a grave mistake. Instead they decided to capitalise on his form and secured his services for £72 million.
The talented 24-year-old forward should settle into the Gunners' setup without much hassle, especially with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette present to help him out.
Rodrigo (Atletico Madrid to Manchester City)
Manchester City seemed to have found an ideal replacement for Fernandinho in the 23-year-old Spanish midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez. An efficient stalwart in stopping counter-attacks and passing the ball with purpose, the Citizens will be delighted to have a young gun dictating the play from the midfield.
His impressive performance against Liverpool in the Community Shield was noted by manager Pep Guardiola. He clearly fits into the vision of Guardiola’s style of play and will be a regular player on the pitch. City shelled out £60 million for the Spaniard.
Joao Cancelo (Juventus to Manchester City)
Manchester City opted to go for Joao Cancelo as a backup for the right-back position currently occupied by Kyle Walker. At Juventus, Cancelo’s role as a right-back was to push up often, playing as a right winger at times. His work rate was the key factor that impressed Guardiola as he demands from his players a high possession and even higher tempo when on the ball.
The Portuguese right-back ticked all the boxes and was brought to the Etihad for a deal that cost Citizens £60 million, with Danilo moving to Juventus as a part of the deal.
Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon to Tottenham Hotspur)
The 23-year-old Frenchman unarguably ranks among the top five central midfielders in European football at present. Due to his inherent versatility to tackle the attacking prowess of top-class teams, Tottenham Hotspur offered Lyon £65 million to get him to North London.
He will be useful in strengthening the defence system of Spurs and will be highly effective in encounters where Mauricio Pochettino need an X-factor to overcome strong oppositions. Tanguy Ndombele will be a pivotal part of Spurs campaign this season.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk
