The Mastermind Award Nominees 2017: Best Signing

As with every transfer window, many big names were on the move in 2017. Neymar’s transfer fee smashed all kinds of records and was the story of the summer window, but many other clubs made intelligent signings who have been in stunning form to start the campaign. These are the nominees for the Best Signings of 2017 as part of The Mastermind Awards.

NOMINEES

Nemanja Matic

Stealing Nemanja Matic away from Chelsea is one of Jose Mourinho’s best ever moves in his 17 years of management. The Portuguese manager was crucial in bringing the big Serb over to United and since his arrival, Matic has probably been the Red Devils’ best player. Matic provides so much support and poise in Manchester United’s midfield and has outstanding numbers in nearly every statistic across the board. The Red Devils currently sit in second place in the table and it’s pretty safe to say that they would not be the same team without Matic in their midfield.

♥ Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has been incredible form since joining Liverpool FC and has stunned Premier League fans around the world with just how good he’s been. The Egyptian’s form for Roma last year was stunning but for the wing wizard to be this clinical in front of goal in the biggest league in the world has been absolutely outstanding. The 25-year old sits top of the scoring charts right now with 12 goals and 3 assists in 15 Premier League matches, a massive feat for someone who scored only 15 times in Serie A last year. He’s already scored more goals than any other Liverpool player managed in each of the last five seasons and has been superb in the UEFA Champions League as well with 4 goals in 5 matches. Mohamed Salah has been amazing for Liverpool so far, could be on his way to a Golden Boot and is certainly one of the signings of the summer.

Romelu Lukaku

Although he hasn’t had his scoring boots on in about a month, Romelu Lukaku has been superb for Manchester United so far in 2017-18. The Belgian striker has led the line magnificently well, combining and linking up with Rashford, Martial and co better than anyone else so far for the club. With only 1 goal in his last 10 matches, it might be surprising to hear that Romelu Lukaku is still toward the top of the pile of the Premier League scoring charts, with 8 goals and 4 assists in 15 matches. On top of that he’s also found the back of the net three times in 5 UEFA Champions League matches for the Red Devils this term. Romelu Lukaku hasn’t been great this past month, but he has still been one of the best players in the Premier League this season and has the potential to become one of United’s greatest ever players.

Richarlison

Richarlison is one of the most wicked finds in Premier League history. The versatile attacking midfielder is only 20-years old and arrived to Marco Silva’s Watford for just over £11 million in the summer. Since then, he’s scored 5 goals with 3 assists in 15 Premier League matches so far this term, equally his Brazileiro tally of last season (5 in 14 matches). His work rate in defense and attack has been impressive and he’s been Watford’s best player as they currently sit 8th in the table. Being only 20-years old, Richarlison is only going to get better from here and the Hornets could make a massive profit on him with a bigger club makes a move next season.

Neymar

Although severely more expensive than any other player in history, Neymar has certainly lived up to expectations since his arrival at PSG and is in hotter form than any other footballer on the planet. The 25-year old has scored 9 goals with 6 assists in only 12 Ligue 1 matches so far, accumulating the highest WhoScored? rating of all time at this stage in the season, 8.79. Those who say he’s just a big shark in a small league will also be shut down by the Brazilian’s form in the UEFA Champions League, scoring 6 goals with 3 assists in 5 matches. Neymar’s start to life in Paris has been immensely impressive and surely if the Brazilian forward continues on at this rate a Ballon d’Or has to be on its way.

So there it is! The nominees for Best Signing as part of The Mastermind Awards 2017. Like what you read? Subscribe for more and make sure to be back here on December 5th to begin voting for all the awards! See you soon!

♥ = The Mastermind’s choice for each award category.