The Best Summer Signings Of The Season So Far

The 2016-17 Barclays Premier League has been exceptional as always so far and one of many exciting prospects of the new season is all the new signings that are catching the eye. These are the six best summer signings of the 2016-17 Barclays Premier League season so far!

Idrissa Gueye

If Leicester City were going to buy anyone to replace N’Golo Kante, this is the man they should have bought. Idrissa Gana Gueye has been incredible to start this season and has arguably been Ronald Koeman’s most important cog to his team as Everton currently sit in second place behind only Manchester City. His defensive work for the Toffees has been critical to their success but he’s also been a calming presence in the midfield and has played a key role in orchestrating attacks as well. Like N’Golo Kante did for Leiecester City last year, every time Everton lose the ball, Gana is there to win it back straight away. The Senegalese midfielder has averaged an astounding 6.2 tackles per game, 1.2 more than any other player in the league. But that’s not all, he’s also developed into something of an almost Andrea Pirlo styled “regista” this season, notching an assist against Sunderland and averaging 70 passes per game, the second most in the league behind only Jordan Henderson (77.6). Idrissa Gueye has been outstanding ever since arriving from Aston Villa in the summer and 7.1 million pounds has turned out to be an absolute bargain.

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane was superb in his Southampton days but ever since arriving at Liverpool he has transformed his game to a whole new level and has stood out as one of the best players of the 2016-17 season so far. Mane was a menace against Leicester and gave Liverpool so much pace and power going forward that the Foxes just couldn’t cope with as the Reds waltzed to a 4-1 win, something they would have had no shot at achieving last season without Mane. With stellar performances against Leicester and Arsenal, Mane currently has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 Premier League appearances and he also assisted three goals in Liverpool’s league cup game against Burton Albion, highlighting how crucial he has been to their early success. Sadio Mane has certainly caught the eye ever since arriving at Liverpool from Southampton, looking absolutely unstoppable at times and really bringing hope to Liverpool supporters that this could be their year to get back into that top four. When he is in full flow, there is just no stopping him.

Ashley Williams

Ashley Williams is a natural leader and a brilliant defender. I was surprised that a big club didn’t try and sign him years ago but you have to credit Ronald Koeman once again for convincing the Welsh captain to join his team. Ashley Williams has been immense since arriving at Everton from Swansea City and has been better than John Stones ever was at the club. His partnership with Phil Jagielka looks unbeatable at the moment and his vocalization, organization and defensive awareness have all been second to none to start this Premier League season. Thanks to Williams and Koeman, Everton’s leaky defense of last year has turned into one of the best defensive units in the league so far, as they have conceded just 3 goals in 5 matches. Williams has been fantastic in possession of the ball, completing 89% of his passes thus far and has also been brilliant defensively, clearing the ball 21 times in the first five matches. Ashley Williams is an incredible defender and is exactly the type of player Everton needed in their quest for European football.

Eric Bailly

Eric Bailly has been fantastic at the start of his Manchester United career and although a hefty fee was commanded for the Cote d’Ivoire defender, he has still been one of the best buys of the season so far. Bailly adjusted to life in the Premier League brilliantly and was a defensive beast in his first three matches league matches, hardly ever putting a foot wrong as United won all three games. Although Jose Mourinho’s side have fallen off the pace lately, it’s still clear that this man knows how to defend and will be instrumental to whatever Manchester United can conjure up this season.

Victor Wanyama

With Mousa Dembele out suspended at the start of the season, Victor Wanyama was given his chance to make an immediate impact at Spurs and didn’t disappoint. The Kenyan midfielder has been immense to their success so far this season as they currently reside in third place, having gone the first five games unbeaten. Wanyama hasn’t exactly been the tough-tackling, calming presence of Idrissa Gueye mentioned above but he has been a valuable asset in Tottenham’s team and his presence in the squad has helped ease Mauricio Pocchettino’s injury and suspension woes. He also popped up with the only goal in a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace in just his second game with t he club to help lead them to victory. Victor Wanyama could hardly have asked for a better start to his Tottenham career and all the early signs indicate that he will be an incredibly important to the Spurs’ title challenge this year.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

It’s undeniable how invaluable Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been to Manchester United’s success in the Premier League so far. Few would have expected the Swede to have such a swift transition from French football to English, but four goals in five matches is a mean feat for any striker, even one with the extraordinary reputation of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  His presence up top has been immense for United, giving them a focal point going forward that they can always look to find when searching for a goal.

So there it is! The six best summer signings of the 2016-17 Barclays Premier League season so far! Who do you think has been the best new addition? Comment below and click the follow button for more articles like this every week!