Every year the top Premier League clubs look to the transfer market for the opportunity to add at least a couple of key player that they hope can put them over the top and help them contend for a championship banner the following season. Some of those moves work out while others fail miserably. We have certainly seen some strong fits out of the gate this year beginning with a star striker that Manchester United managed to steal away from Paris Saint-Germain. Here is a look at the best Premier League transfers so far this season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United
There is no doubt about who the top transfer in the Premier League has been so far this season with Ibrahimovic proving that he still has a lot left in the tank early on. The superstar striker has six goals through his first 11 starts for Manchester United with 22 shots on goal in total. Opposing teams have had to game plan for what he brings to the table and there is no reason to think he will slow down. Ibrahimovic’s excellent relationship with Jose Mourinho dates back to their days together with Inter Milan and it will be very interesting to see what they can accomplish together at United this season.
At the current moment, Manchester United is sitting in sixth place in the EPL standings with 18 points. They have managed to score 16 goals while allowing 13 in 11 games this season.
Sadio Mane, Liverpool
Acquiring a player from Southampton seems like it has become an annual rite of passage for Liverpool and they have found an absolute beauty in Mane. The 24-year-old midfielder leads the club with six goals and eight points through his first 10 appearances and is a big reason why the Reds own the best record in the Premier League right now. Jurgen Klopp had been tracking Mane as a potential target since his days with Borussia Dortmund and his addition has paid major dividends for Liverpool early on this season.
Liverpool is the top team in the Premier League as of right now. They have manufactured 26 points in 11 games so far. Most of that success has been due to an offense that has been outstanding. Liverpool has scored a total of 30 goals in 11 games. Those 30 goals are the most in the EPL so far this season.
Granit Xhaka, Arsenal
Xhaka’s biggest impact has been in the defensive midfield so far as he has fit in perfectly with an Arsenal side that is absolutely loaded with talent up front. Arsene Wenger has been criticized in the past for not being willing enough to spend big money on defensive midfielders but he has found a perfect fit in Xhaka. He might have just one goal for the Gunners so far but Xhaka’s defensive presence has definitely been a valuable addition at Arsenal.
Arsenal is currently in fourth place in the EPL standings. They have produced 24 points in 11 games and have clearly been one of the most balanced teams in the Premier League. They have scored 24 goals in those 11 games, which is the fourth-best mark in the EPL, and they have allowed just 11 goals. That’s also the fourth-best mark in the league, which explains perfectly why they are where they are in the standings.
Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester City
Gundogan has been limited to a goal and an assist with Manchester City in the Premier League but like Xhaka, his biggest contributions are on in the central midfield where he has thrived as a possession player. City is loaded with weapons up front and Gundogan has provided a perfect balance in the midfield when called upon by manager Pep Guardiola. Guardiola’s philosophy relies heavily on ball possession and passing angles and that makes Gundogan the perfect fit as a holding midfielder.
Manchester City is currently sitting in third place in the EPL standings. Their offense has been very effective so far as they’ve tallied 25 goals in 11 games. Only two teams have managed to score more goals than them, which are the two teams above them in the standings (Liverpool and Chelsea). Their defense has been airtight too as they’ve allowed just 10 goals on the year. That’s the third best mark among any team in the league.
