Transfer Analysis: Do the Summer Stars Meet Expectations?

Analysis of Star Signings: Immediate Success or Adaptation Process?

Not all high-profile signings meet expectations immediately. Sometimes, the path to success requires time and adaptation. Let’s remember examples like Andy Robertson, who arrived at Liverpool and had to wait on the bench before establishing himself, or Fabinho, who took time to debut in the Premier League despite having been signed at the beginning of the summer. Both players later became fundamental pillars for their team’s success. Analyzing the performance of the new signings after the first few matchdays is a delicate exercise. It is crucial to weigh the information and avoid hasty conclusions. In this context, we examine the most outstanding incorporations of the summer market, assessing whether the initial expectations should be adjusted in light of their first matches. For this analysis, we will focus on players who permanently changed teams this summer and have an estimated market value of 40 million euros or more, according to Transfermarkt. Here’s an analysis of some of the most relevant signings:

• Noni Madueke: Chelsea to Arsenal, €56 million

• Market value: €40 million • Position: Right winger • Age: 23 years old A promising signing who has had a good start to the season, providing cover for Bukayo Saka. The expectation is updated to: “Improve.”

• Liam Delap: Ipswich to Chelsea, €35.5 million

• Market value: €40 million • Position: Center forward • Age: 22 years old He has played few minutes and is currently injured. Expectation: “Without changes”.

• Gianluigi Donnarumma: PSG to Manchester City, €30 million

• Market value: €40 million • Position: Goalkeeper • Age: 26 years old It’s still early to assess its performance. Expectation: “Without changes”.

• Mohammed Kudus: West Ham to Tottenham, €63.8 million

• Market value: €45 million • Position: Right winger • Age: 24 years old Kudus has proven to be a player with the ability to create chances. Expectation: “Improve.”

• Milos Kerkez: Bournemouth to Liverpool, €46.9 million

• Market value: €45 million • Position: Left back • Age: 21 years old He has had difficulties adapting to the new role at Liverpool. Expectation: Worsen.

• Alejandro Garnacho: Manchester United to Chelsea, €46.2 million

• Market value: €45 million • Position: Left winger • Age: 21 years old

Few minutes played. Expectation: No change.

• Rayan Cherki: Lyon to Manchester City, €36.5 million

• Market value: €45 million • Position: Right winger • Age: 21 years old Pending evaluation due to an injury. Expectation: “Without changes”.

• Jonathan David: Lille to Juventus, Free

• Market value: €45 million • Position: Center forward • Age: 25 years old

Your performance has been declining. Expectation: No change.

• Jeremie Frimpong: Leverkusen to Liverpool, €40 million

• Market value: €50 million • Position: Right back • Age: 24 years old It hasn’t had the expected prominence. Expectation: Worsen.

• João Pedro: Brighton to Chelsea, €63.7 million

• Market value: €50 million • Position: Center forward • Age: 23 years old Their numbers have decreased compared to the previous season. Expectation: “Worsen.”

• Tijjani Reijnders: AC Milan to Manchester City, €55 million

• Market value: €50 million • Position: Midfielder • Age: 26 years old

He has shown flashes of quality. Expectation: No change.

• Jamie Gittens: Dortmund to Chelsea, €56 million

• Market value: €50 million • Position: Left winger • Age: 20 years old It hasn’t had a significant impact yet. Expectation: “**No change**.”

• Bryan Mbeumo: Brentford to Manchester United, €75 million

• Market value: €55 million • Position: Right winger • Age: 25 years old Meeting expectations. Expectation: No changes.

Nicol: The Manchester United team is not good enough.

• Eberechi Eze: Crystal Palace to Arsenal, €69.3 million

• Market value: €55 million • Position: Attacking midfielder • Age: 27 years old Few games played, but with potential to improve the team. Expectation: “Without changes”.

• Álex Baena: Villarreal to Atlético, €42 million

• Market value: €55 million • Position: Left winger • Age: 23 years old Few minutes played. Expectation: “Worsen.”

• Matheus Cunha: Wolves to Manchester United, €74.2 million

• Market value: €60 million • Position: Second striker • Age: 26 years old Performance similar to Mbeumo’s. Expectation: “**No change**.”

• Martín Zubimendi: Real Sociedad to Arsenal, €70 million

• Market value: €60 million • Position: Defensive midfielder • Age: 26 years old Undisputed starter and performing at a high level. Expectation: “Improve.”

• Dean Huijsen: Bournemouth to Real Madrid, €62.5 million

• Market value: €60 million • Position: Center-back • Age: 20 years old Good performance, but with room for improvement. Expectation: “Without changes”.

• Estão: Palmeiras to Chelsea, €45 million

• Market value: €60 million • Position: Right winger • Age: 18 years old Highlighting for its performance. Expectation: “Improve”.

• Luis Díaz: Liverpool to Bayern Munich, €70 million

• Market value: €70 million • Position: Left winger • Age: 28 years old World-class performance. Expectation: No change.

• Xavi Simons: Leipzig to Tottenham, €65 million

• Market value: €70 million • Position: Attacking midfielder • Age: 22 years old

Few minutes played. Expectation: No change.

• Benjamin Sesko: Leipzig to Manchester United, €76.5 million

• Market value: €70 million • Position: Center forward • Age: 22 years old Inconsistent in its performance. Expectation: “Worsen.”

• Hugo Ekitike: Frankfurt to Liverpool, €95 million

• Market value: €75 million • Position: Center forward • Age: 23 years old He has performed well. Expectation: “Improve”.

Burley criticizes Ekitike for missing Liverpool’s first defeat.

• Viktor Gyökeres: Sporting a Arsenal, €65.8 million

• Market value: €75 million • Position: Center forward • Age: 27 years old Despite his effort, he hasn’t scored any goals. Expectation: Worsen.

• Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool to Real Madrid, €10 million

• Market value: €75 million • Position: Right back • Age: 26 years old His absence is felt at Liverpool. Expectation: No change.

• Alexander Isak: Newcastle to Liverpool, €145 million

• Market value: €120 million • Position: Center forward • Age: 25 years old

Few games played. Expectation: No change.

• Florian Wirtz: Leverkusen to Liverpool, €125 million

• Market value: €140 million • Position: Attacking midfielder • Age: 22 years old He hasn’t scored any goals or assists yet. Expectation: “Worsen.”