Soccer

Ranking The Top Premier League Signings Of 2018-19

Darren - June 12, 2019

Soccer

Ranking The Top Premier League Signings Of 2018-19

Darren - June 12, 2019

11. Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion – Watford)

One of three goalkeepers on this list, Ben Foster was the most consistent English goalkeeper in the Premier League last season. Only Everton and Liverpool improved their defensive records more than Watford did in 2018/19 and the signing of Foster as a replacement for Heurelho Gomes was a big part of that.

Arriving under the radar from relegated West Bromwich Albion, Foster proved why he belongs in the top tier of British football with save after phenomenal save. An ultra-reliable sign, Foster shows how goalkeepers mature and develop later than other players. At the age of 36, he’s never been better.

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10. Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea – West Ham)

Possibly the smartest piece of business by West Ham in the last couple of seasons, the Polish goalkeeper came in with little fanfare after being relegated Swansea’s most consistent performer. Once ridiculed for errors made while he was an Arsenal player, statistically, he’s one of the safest pairs of hands in the league.

Only Alisson Becker has a better save per game ratio than Fabianski, but the Polish keeper has actually completed more saves overall. With West Ham’s notorious inconsistencies, having a solid keeper like him truly makes a difference.

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9. Jannik Vestergaard (Werder Bremen – Southampton)

The giant centre back might not be the sexiest name on this list, but he’s helped to stabilise a Southampton defence that had struggled dramatically since losing Virgil Van Dijk to Liverpool. The Dane stands 1.99 metres in height and uses every bit of that height to dominate his area.

He averaged 7.2 clearances per game, more than any other defender in the league. Bizarrely he fell out of favour under Mark Hughes but was brought back in when Ralph Hassenhuttl took charge of the Saints. There’s a lot more to come from this Scandinavian Viking.

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8. Lucas Digne (Barcelona – Everton)

One of the brightest lights in another underwhelming season for Everton, France’s Lucas Digne proved his quality to the Toffee’s faithful. Arguably if it wasn’t for another left back across Merseyside, he’d be considered the best in the league on current form.

Digne has an elegant toughness to him, as well as excellent set-piece delivery. He has the most accurate crosses in the league with a grand total of 68. He also created more chances than any other defender – including Liverpool’s widely vaunted pair – with 56 in total. Now they just need to sign somebody who can finish them off.

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7. Joao Moutinho (Monaco – Wolves)

For a few seasons running, the Portuguese maestro was perennially linked with Tottenham Hostpurs. That never happened, but he finally found himself in England as part of Wolves’ contingent of players from the Iberian nation. And what a signing he was.

Costing a mere £5 million, Moutinho was the pendulum at the heart of the Black Country team’s midfield alongside Ruben Neves. He brought valuable experience and maturity to a young side. That fee is ridiculous in this day and age. He appeared in every league game for Wolves and was voted Player of the Season by their fans.

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6. Salomon Rondon (West Bromwich Albion – Newcastle on-loan)

Newcastle fans are desperate for the club to sign up Salomon Rondon on a permanent basis, after a very successful season on loan from West Bromwich Albion. His physical presence allows him to hold the ball up and outmuscle defenders, giving them a focal point in attack.

Without Rondon’s influence, the Magpies would definitely have struggled to stay in the Premier League. Every one of his 11 goals was vital for the club who have traditionally struggled over the last few years. Other clubs have been linked to the burly frontman, including the likes of Wolves and Everton.

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5. Alisson Becker (Roma – Liverpool)

Momentarily the most expensive goalkeeper in the world before Kepa Arizzabelaga signed for Chelsea, the Brazilian was Liverpool’s best piece of business last summer. A massive upgrade on Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet, he played a huge part in their Premier League title challenge and was the man of the match in their Champion’s League final win over Spurs.

Alisson would win the Premier League Golden Glove award, keeping a total of 21 clean sheets. Vital saves against Napoli and Barcelona at different stages of the campaign that showed why you sometimes get what you pay for.

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4. David Brooks (Sheffield United – Bournemouth)

Not the most glamorous name on this list, but an excellent piece of business by Bournemouth. Eddie Howe has been criticised for overspending on young players in the past – cough, cough Jordan Ibe – but Brooks is one of the most exciting young talents in the league.

A full Wales international, the 21-year-old scored 7 goals in 30 appearances for the Cherries and has the ability to unlock defences in the blink of an eye. Signing for only £11.5 million, his value has definitely tripled since arriving on the south coast.

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3. James Maddison (Norwich – Leicester)

Another young player who has the world at his feet, Maddison arrived at Leicester City from Norwich with great fanfare. The hype was justified as he was superb in his first season in the Premier League. The 22-year-old signed for a fee of about £20 million and is probably worth at least double that now.

He scored seven goals in thirty-one appearances for the Midlanders. Maddison has also become renowned for his free-kick taking ability. It’s actually unnatural how good he is at taking them. Still maturing as a player – he was sent off for diving – his ceiling is as high as the Sistine Chapel.

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2. Ricardo Pereira (Nice – Leicester)

James Maddison might get the headlines, but he wasn’t voted the club’s player of the season. No, that honour fell to their Portuguese right-back Ricardo Pereira, signed from Nice in a £20 million deal. It was smart business by the Foxes as they looked to upgrade a position held for a number of seasons by Danny Simpson.

Pereira is one of the best right-backs in the division, his signing was a coup by Leicester. His attacking threat is up there with the best, while he is also excellent defensively. He was one of only four players with over 100 completed tackles by April.

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1. Raul Jimenez (Benfica – Wolves)

Move over Chicharito, there’s a new Mexican in town and he’s brilliant. There were question marks over Jimenez’s abilities when he arrived at Wolves from Benfica on loan, but they’ve been answered. A physical presence and a consistent goalscorer, Jimenez links up brilliantly with Diogo Jota to create a unique threat for the Wolves attack.

He completed a £35 million transfer to the West Midlands team in January which looks like a great bit of business. The Mexico international lashed in 13 goals in the league last season.

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