It’s only halfway through the season, but we are already seeing which clubs did wonders in the transfer market during the summer.
Some made a few key marquee signings that lifted the squad, while others bought a group of players only for them to find it difficult to adapt to their new environment.
Now half way through the season and the January transfer window now open, we take a look at the TOP FIVE Best Premier League transfers so far this season…
5. Diego Costa to Chelsea
Last season Chelsea were in the running for the Premier League title, however in several games against smaller clubs the Blues weren’t able to penetrate a rigorous back-line, and manager Jose Mourinho pointed to his misfiring strikers as their issue.
However the Chelsea hierarchy moved quickly to fix the problem, signing Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa. And he has led the Chelsea attack effectively to the top of the table.
The Brazilian-born Spaniard took to the English game like a duck to water, scoring nine goals in his first seven league appearances and currently on 13 goals in 20 games in all competitions.
The 26-year-old’s only issue is his niggling injuries, but Jose Mourinho still has Didier Drogba to call upon.
4. Alexandre Song to West Ham
When Alex Song was made available by Barcelona at the beginning of the season, the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were all linked with the former Arsenal star.
And although Song wanted to return and play for the Gunners, it was their London neighbours West Ham that took the Cameroonian on loan, and what a signing he has been.
Song brought composure, guile, and athleticism to the West Ham midfield, resulting with the Hammers’ incredible rise to challenge for an unlikely Champions League spot.
3. Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea
Another former Arsenal player brought back to the Premier League, Cesc Fabregas seemed to be the final piece in Chelsea’s puzzle to once again dominate football.
The Blues have an abundance of creative attacking midfielders in the squad, but none that can sit in the middle and dictate the tempo like the Spaniard.
Deployed alongside the combative and no-nonsense Nemanja Matic, Fabregas has been involved 20 goals this season… scoring four and assisting an incredible 16 in all competitions halfway through the campaign.
2. Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal
While Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas seemed to complete an already strong foundation of players in Chelsea, Arsenal’s summer signing is carrying his new team on his back like he has been there for years.
Sanchez is pacey, tricky, but most importantly the Chilean international is composed, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists in just 24 games for the Gunners.
Without the former Barcelona stars’ goals Arsenal will be near the bottom of the table, making him one of the best transfers so far this season.
1. Ronald Koeman to Southampton
If you told anyone during the summer that Southampton will be challenging for a Champions League in December, you would be laughed at and kicked out of your local pub for being too drunk.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas are class players expected to perform at Chelsea, Alexis Sanchez was amazing during the World Cup and was supposed to do well for Arsenal, and Alex Song is a huge upgrade to the West Ham midfield. But no one expected anything from Ronald Koeman.
But the Dutch boss completely rebuilt the Southampton that lost a host of top players, buying the likes of Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic to once again reinvigorate the Saints attack. The players they did keep also stepped up their game, and Koeman is the big reason Southampton are in with a shout of making the Champions League come May.
