The top 11 Premier League signings of the season ranked: The ‘masterstroke’ decision to recruit title-winning captain, the Man United forward who has fitted in seamlessly and the rejuvenated England striker
As the Premier League season pauses for the international break, fans are taking stock of where their side may yet finish.
In one of the most open competitions for years, it is still all to play for. Key to that has been a number of surprise performances from players signed last summer, and in some cases the lack of performance from some of 2025’s big investments.
Here Daily Mail Sport’s SIMON JONES selects the 11 signings of the season so far… do you agree?
Granit Xhaka – Sunderland
A £13million purchase from Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka’s early season form defined Sunderland’s campaign.
Xhaka spoke emotionally last week about the sacrifices his parents made, the long hours they worked, to provide the best for him and his siblings. That work ethic, those standards remain evident today.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder has retained a fiery determination even when his form has wavered and has been a driving force behind their ambition to secure Premier League status.
Granit Xhaka’s early season form defined Sunderland’s first campaign back in the top flight
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Everton
As soon as he returned to Everton, David Moyes identified Dewsbury-Hall as a player he wanted to improve his team. The £27m fee looks money well spent as he has been the heartbeat of Moyes’s team and revelled in the responsibility of a free role in midfield.
A keen snooker player and closet fan of musical theatre, Dewsbury-Hall has found his ideal stage on the banks of the Mersey. His energy, skill and vision have created countless chances for team-mates and established him as a firm crowd favourite.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Leeds United
Few free transfers could be worth so much should Leeds hold onto their Premier League status. Calvert-Lewin had left Everton with designs on joining the likes of AC Milan or Newcastle.
Leeds was a surprise, but a phone call from Daniel Farke sold him on the club and with a bit more focus on his nutrition, sleep and recovery has managed to stay fit and scored 10 Premier League goals, prompting an England call-up.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s free transfer to Leeds has worked out brilliantly for the striker
Senne Lammens – Manchester United
The biggest compliment one can pay to Lammens is that people barely speak about him. After years of goalkeeping bloopers, Manchester United’s defence was craving stability and that’s what the 23-year-old Belgian has brought.
For a man whose favourite book is The Alchemist, Lammens’ form would suggest United have found gold. He has handled the physical side of the Premier League, and his understated performances have laid the foundations to their improved form.
Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool
Costing £69million, you’d expect Ekitike to score goals, but nothing has been certain at Anfield in this strangest of seasons. Ekitike’s 18 goals, his nimble footwork and growing understanding with another big signing Florian Wirtz, have at least offered some relief for the bewildered champions who had anticipated more after their summer outlay of £450m.
At 23, he is still a work in progress as he looks to improve decision making and add more muscle to his physique but he has shown enough moments of quality to suggest his future augurs well.
Jordan Henderson – Brentford
Few in Thomas Tuchel’s England side divide opinion like Henderson, he is the national team’s Marmite, many like him being in the squad, many don’t. However, Keith Andrews’ decision to bring him in has proved a masterstroke.
Henderson has been like a second coach on the pitch helping Andrews navigate his first managerial role to great effect. A free transfer, his mission has been to lead by example and drive standards for Brentford’s young players. The Bees are flying in seventh place.
Keith Andrews’ decision to recruit Jordan Henderson has proved a masterstroke
Nordi Mukiele – Sunderland
For a man who claims he’d be an actor if he wasn’t a footballer, Mukiele is in danger of upstaging bigger names as one of the league’s best defenders this season.
Bought for a bargain £9.5m from Paris Saint-Germain, versatile Mukiele has been excellent for Sunderland, pushing himself into contention for a recall to the France squad, and proving himself capable of handling the likes of Erling Haaland on the way.
Estevao – Chelsea
The signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton has worked out well for Chelsea but the player that excites most is Estevao. The 18-year-old has all the hallmarks associated with Brazilian wingers of old. Close control, trickery, balance, pace, he has it all. It’s no wonder Nike signed him up at 10 and Carlo Ancelotti describes him as ‘an incredible talent’.
As a young boy he sharpened his skills dribbling against a Rottweiler and he promises to give many a defender a dog’s life. Chelsea have been trying to manage his minutes but fans would like to see him let off the leash.
Estevao is the Chelsea signing that excites the most, with Carlo Ancelotti describing the youngster as ‘an incredible talent’
Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United
The first shirt he had as a child was a Manchester United one and Mbeumo has fitted in seamlessly at Old Trafford. He enjoys playing the piano in his spare time and has been hitting all the right notes with his pace, power and flair.
He clocked 34.7km/h sprinting in the 91st minute against West Ham and that work rate has swiftly made him a fan favourite. Has scored 10 goals and provided so many more for his team with his selfless running, strength and vision.
Of Man United’s big-money attacking signings, Bryan Mbeumo has settled in ‘seamlessly’
Adrien Truffert – Bournemouth
Has been described as ‘exceptional’ by Andoni Iraola after seamlessly replacing Milos Kerkez who was sold to Liverpool. Truffert arrived for just £11m from Rennes where he had been hardened to Premier League standard wingers by training against his former team-mate Jeremy Doku, now of Manchester City.
Doku warned him there was no respite in England’s top flight: more running was required. Truffert has been topping the charts for overlapping runs but is being encouraged by his manager to deliver even more assists.
Caoimhin Kelleher – Brentford
Has kept eight clean sheets this season as he continues to build his reputation as a reliable top flight keeper. He wanted to cut loose from Liverpool to gain more regular game time and his performances reflect the good decision made by him and Brentford.
Only David Raya has kept more clean sheets for the club but more than that Kelleher has given his defence a quiet assurance. He cost £12.5m plus add ons but is already valued at triple that as big clubs take note.
