New signings can sometimes take time to settle, but a number of Premier League recruits have hit the ground running in the opening weeks of the 2023/24 campaign.
Managers across the division will be pleased with their judgement after seeing new signings sparkle in the season’s opening weeks and we’ve profiled the Premier League players who have got off to a flyer at their new clubs.
Five Premier League summer signings who have hit the ground running:
James Maddison
Given how at ease he has appeared in a Spurs shirt so far, it’s easy to forget that James Maddison is still in the infancy of his career with the north Londoners. Maddison’s arrival from relegated Leicester looked a coup on completion, a view which will have only enhanced following his superb start in the capital.
Maddison was named as the Premier League’s Player of the Month for August after scoring twice and providing two assists in his first five league appearances for Spurs, the playmaker instantly at home in Ange Postecoglou’s entertaining set-up.
“James Maddison has been the signing of the summer.” Discuss 📝 pic.twitter.com/2lk1pVPdRN
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 6, 2023
Maddison was named as joint-vice captain of Spurs following Harry Kane’s exit, an indication of the impression he has already made in his new surroundings. Spurs supporters have longed for a team who take the game to opponents and attack with intent, hallmarks of Postecoglou’s plan to date. The creative spark of Maddison has fit that ethos like a glove to date.
James Ward-Prowse
West Ham fans knew James Ward-Prowse could take a wicked set-piece, that was no secret.
Ward-Prowse’s wizardry from a dead ball has often seen his all-round game overlooked however, with the more casual Hammers fan now appreciating the midfielder’s other, under-appreciated, attributes.
The 28-year-old has been an inspired addition for a West Ham side seeking to replace the Declan Rice-shaped hole in their midfield, with the England international and Edson Alvarez having done a stellar job in filling the void left by Rice’s club-record departure.
Ward-Prowse has brought experience, energy and an increased goal threat from midfield, with the former Southampton skipper having scored or assisted in every one of his five West Ham appearances to date.
4 – James Ward-Prowse has four assists from dead ball situations this season in all competitions – no other Premier League player has more than one. Whip. pic.twitter.com/A0wcjhsFl0
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 22, 2023
It’s now two goals and five assists in those five games for the Hammers, including a Premier League leading four assists from set-piece situations across all competitions.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Some Liverpool fans might still be casting envious glances in the direction of Real Madrid after missing out on Jude Bellingham during the summer, but Dominik Szoboszlai has proven to be an outstanding alternative.
Szoboszlai has become an instant fans’ favourite at Liverpool and an integral member of Jurgen Klopp’s new look side, starting all five Premier League games for the Reds so far this season.
The Hungarian has been all-action, ranking sixth for distance covered in the Premier League this season. He’s explosive, too, with a recent lung-busting burst against Wolves the third-fastest speed recorded in the division since 2020/21, according to Opta.
A scintillating start to life as a Red 💫
Enjoy the best bits from our number 8️⃣ throughout August 🔴 #ad pic.twitter.com/wPO9HIYUxr
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 19, 2023
Add in his technical quality and ability to carry the ball confidently at pace, and the ingredients are there for him to be the centrepiece of Klopp’s midfield.
Szoboszlai may (or may not) have been a Plan B for Liverpool if reports are to be believed, but he’s been better than perhaps anyone expected. An instant spark in a transitional team, he has all the attributes to be one of the Premier League’s best.
Declan Rice
Arsenal broke their transfer record during the summer window to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, beating competition from Manchester City to land the England midfielder.
The Gunners spent £105m to sign Rice and the record recruit has made an instant impact in driving Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Rice was man of the match in the win at Crystal Palace, before producing a memorable moment with his first Arsenal goal, scored in the 96th minute to secure a win over Manchester United at the Emirates.
“DECLAN RICE, A GUNNER FOR LIFE”
Unbelievable scenes as Declan Rice SURELY gets the winner?! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/Uu9MfS8qkA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 3, 2023
No Arsenal player has covered more distance, made more tackles and interceptions, or completed more progressive carries than Rice. Only three players have made more carries in the entire Premier League.
Rice’s ability to regain, recycle and carry the ball has enforced the Arsenal midfield, with the 24-year-old a natural fit for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Moussa Diaby
Moussa Diaby was another club record arrival, signing for Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee in the region of £51.9m.
Diaby has shone since swapping Paris Saint-Germain for the Bundesliga, where he produced 97 goals and assists in 178 appearances for Leverkusen. The France international has made an electric start to his career at Villa Park, with two goals and two assists from five games to date.
Diaby had already formed excellent understandings with a number of teammates and possesses an explosiveness and dribbling ability to excite the Holte End. The 24-year-old never produced less than 10 goal involvements in any of his four seasons in Germany, which included a career-high 25 goals and assists in 32 league games in 2021/22.
Anywhere close to that return and Diaby will be one of the signings of the season at Villa, an addition who has already injected real quality into Unai Emery’s ambitious side.
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