Top 10 Transfers of the Summer
10) Granit Xhaka to Arsenal
Is he the combative midfielder Arsenal fans have been craving for? A gem of Swiss football, Xhaka could fill the holding role Arsenal have struggled with in recent seasons with a combination of his impressive passing range and physicality. He comes with warning too, Xhaka's aggression has seen him land in disciplinary trouble; leading the Bundesliga for red cards last season. Will he pop up with 10 goals a season? Probably not. However, when he does score, they're usually screamers. Get excited Gunners fans!
9) Mario Götze to Borussia Dortmund
Not many players can say they won the World Cup for their country. Mario Götze can. He has rejoined his former club for £21 million. Yes, £21 million. That is an absolute steal in an absolutely mental transfer market we are living in. A transfer market where Odion Ighalo is valued at £38m. Despite 3 Bundesliga titles, his time at Bayern will not be looked upon as a complete success. He never really managed to cement a place in the Bayern side and was constantly plagued with injuries. Götze was considered as Germany's hottest prospect not too long ago. Despite his struggles, the 24 year old is still brimming with quality.
8) Grzegorz Krychowiak to Paris Saint Germain
Krychowiak is a typical midfield destroyer. More than happy to break up play and he even possesses a threat in the air. Having a fantastic reading of the game, Krychowiak has molded into a crucial player for club and country. He helped guide Sevilla to a third consecutive Europa League title and approaching his prime years, the Pole will now look to help guide PSG to their ever elusive Champions League crown.
7) João Mário to Inter Milan
The only surprising aspect of this transfer is the fact that there weren't too many clubs competing for his signature. Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool were all linked but Inter Milan were the only team that showed concrete interest. Forget Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. João Mário was Portugal's most instrumental player on their road to making the EURO 2016 final. Being deployed both as a central or a wide right midfielder, his selfless work rate helped push Portugal past the finish line on that memorable night in Paris.
6) ?lkay Gündo?an to Manchester City
?lkay Gündo?an was born to play in a Pep Guardiola like team. Pep Guardiola rates him so highly, he made him his first signing at City in spite of knowing he would miss the first few months of the season due to his never ending injury nightmare. Gündo?an has been blighted with injury over the past few seasons which saw him miss almost 100 competitive matches. However, this all seems to have passed him and he looks to being back to his best. Gündo?an's composure in midfield and expertise to bring the ball forward will be crucial to Pep's revolution at Manchester City.
5) Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich
Dortmund came close to toppling Bayern last season. Don't let the 10 point difference in the final standings fool you. Dortmund pushed Bayern right to the end and when it became inevitable that Bayern would be crowned champions, Dortmund fell off. It makes it all the more sweeter that Bayern have weakened their closest rivals with the capture of their captain and talisman, Mats Hummels. Not often do we see a defender with the hawk-eye of a midfielder. His ability to play from the back should complement Jerome Boateng's no nonsense approach.
4) Sadio Mané to Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp and Sadio Mane are the perfect match for one another. Klopp's dynamic and incisive style of attacking football harmonizes well with the abundance of pace and power Mane posses. The freedom him and the other Liverpool attackers have been awarded by his manager has seen Liverpool score goals from all over the pitch. Like Liverpool, the biggest problem Mane faces is his consistency. If Liverpool and Mane decide to show up on a regular basis, it looks like it will be a season to remember for Liverpool fans.
3) Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Manchester United
Mkhitaryan enjoyed his most prolific club season yet last year with Borussia Dortmund as he recorded 11 goals and a staggering 16 assist. Although it's been said his preferred position is through the middle, it was on the right wing last season where he flourished under Thomas Tuchel. This bodes well with United. Manchester United have been crying out for a right winger with the pace and trickery necessary to meet the demands of the Premier League and Mkhitaryan provides just that.
2) N'Golo Kanté to Chelsea
After emerging from practically nowhere, Kante was arguably the standout player in the Premier League last season. Sure, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez grabbed the headlines with their spectacular goals but it was his engine in midfield that gave Leicester the edge over the other title contenders. The part he played is now even more evident with Leicester's dispirited start to the season. Kante will bring a new dimension to Chelsea's midfield with his box to box attributes and he will give Chelsea's defense the protection they certainly need.
1) Ronald Koeman to Everton
Wait? A manager? The best transfer business of the season? Yes, you read that right. Ronald Koeman traded Southampton for Everton during the summer not for the money, but rather for their ambition. Something he felt Southampton lacked. Now backed by billionaire shareholder Farhad Moshiri, Everton have the wealth, players and the right manager for what looks like a promising future. Ronald Koeman's total football philosophy at Southampton caught the eyes of many and he'll be looking to make strides in qualifying for the Champions League but Everton fans shouldn't get excited, just yet. This is a long term project.
