Chelsea’s £21.4m singing of Pedro last week may have been seen as a real victory for Jose Mourinho over rival Louis van Gaal in the summer transfer battle-ground, but there can’t have been too many rival fans quaking in their boots at the thought of the Spanish international, the perennial substitute for Barcelona. Not until last weekend that is.
The 28-year-old helped himself to a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win over West Brom on Sunday, scooping the man-of-the-match award in the process. Without him in the side, with his selflessness and intelligent movement, Chelsea could well have been staring down the barrel of yet another defeat to add to their lacklustre start to the season. Instead, the Blues are now very much up and running, and Pedro could prove to be a key player for the Champions this season.
Arguably, he is one of the best Premier League signings of the summer so far, even after only one game. Cheap in terms of the money thrown around in the market, and clearly a strong team player; certainly a key component for a title chasing side.
You wonder whether that price tag will be remembered if he continues in a similar vein. Aaron Ramsey cost just £5m, a bit of a shock considering his influence now on the current Arsenal side, while Philippe Coutinho was brought to the Premier League for only £8.5m.
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Back to top recruits this season, and Manchester United’s purchase of Matteo Damian from Torino must also be seen as one of the best signings so far. The 25-year-old full-back has been a revelation at the back for the Red Devils, helping them in no small way to a perfect clean sheet record from their first three games.
For just £12.7m, he already looks a real bargain, and has been a shining light for his side, especially considering their slow start further up the pitch, with just United two goals scored so far.
Liverpool, with the £3.5m signing of Joe Gomez, have a real star of the future. Making the left-back slot his own right from the off, the 18-year-old has performed at a level far beyond his tender years. Brave up further forward, and with an assist already to his name, the Englishman is justifying boss Brendan Rodgers’ continued faith in youth.
Three clean sheets from three for the club so far this season, with Gomez putting in another solid performance in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal on Monday.
Who do you think are the best summer signings in the Premier League so far this season?
