Below, Richard Jolly identifies the Premier League's best signings so far, including Petr Cech at Arsenal and Toby Alderweireld at Tottenham Hotspur. 1 pound = 5.45 UAE dirhams.
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10 – Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City (£54 million)
He didn’t come cheap – if he had, he would have ranked rather higher in this list – but De Bruyne has showed that he is not just a guarantee of goals and assists in the Bundesliga. He has slotted in seamlessly at City, despite being asked to play in four different positions.
9 – Robert Huth, Leicester City (£3 million)
Admittedly, Leicester have only kept three clean sheets but Huth has nevertheless been a tower of strength at the back. The club probably would not have stayed up but for his influential displays on loan last season. His permanent arrival and his centre-back partnership with captain Wes Morgan have given Claudio Ranieri’s team a platform for progress.
8 – Petr Cech, Arsenal (£11 million)
The most obvious signing of the summer, but also one of the best. Cech may have had a deceptive debut, as he erred to allow West Ham to beat Arsenal 2-0, but he has excelled since then. If they win the title, his series of major saves will be a key reason why. No wonder Jose Mourinho did not want to let him leave Chelsea.
7 – Manuel Lanzini, West Ham United (loan)
It is fair to say few in England had taken note of Lanzini’s exploits for Al Jazira. His profile grew rapidly when he marked his first West Ham start with a third-minute goal in their 3-0 win at Anfield. Terrific technique, an eye for goal and the ability to fashion a chance mean it is easy to see why West Ham want to sign him permanently.
6 – Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham Hotspur (£11.5 million)
Tottenham conceded more goals than relegated Hull last season. This year, no one has let in fewer. Alderweireld is a key factor in the turnaround, adding solidity as he has established a terrific centre-back partnership with his fellow Belgian Jan Vertonghen. He has also chipped in with important goals in the wins over Manchester City and West Ham.
5 – Yohan Cabaye, Crystal Palace (£10 million)
A statement of intent. Bringing Cabaye in from Paris Saint-Germain was an indication of Palace’s ambition. The wisdom of adding a passer to a team with excellent wingers and a set-piece specialist to one with aerial targets has been borne out. Cabaye is playmaker, quarterback and talisman alike.
4 – Dimitri Payet, West Ham United (£10.7 million)
An influential, emblematic signing, showing the pulling power of the Premier League clubs. Bought from Marseille, Payet illustrated he had the class to play for England’s elite clubs by defeating them. The pass master and creator supreme excelled in West Ham’s away wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City and chipped in with five goals himself before he was sidelined.
3 – Etienne Capoue, Watford (£6.3 million)
A couple of years ago, Capoue seemed part one of one of the worst spending sprees in footballing history as Tottenham squandered much of the £110 million they spent in 2013. Now he is proof that Watford are canny buyers, a powerful, forceful presence in front of the back four who is a reason why a new-look team find themselves a point off fourth.
2 – Gerard Deulofeu, Everton (£4.2 million)
The price is remarkable. So is the impact. When Deulofeu returned to Goodison Park, fans were complaining Everton were not spending. Yet they acquired the second most creative player in the country for a cut-price fee. Only Mesut Ozil has more assists and the Spanish stepover king represents the best supply line any one striker has: he has made six of Romelu Lukaku’s league goals already. A fine crosser and a direct dribbler, he is a terrific player.
1 – N'Golo Kante, Leicester City (£5.5 million)
Esteban Cambiasso’s departure seemed a fatal blow to Leicester. Instead, they found an altogether different form of replacement: younger, more athletic and perfectly suited to their style of football. Kante has been the ball-winner supreme, topping the chart of Premier League interceptions and allowing them to spring deadly quick counter-attacks.