Besides Schweinsteiger Louis Van Gaal has strengthened the squad with Memphis Depay, another wise, but expensive choice considering ManUtd’s lack of a strong forward. Depay is currently one of the hottest prospects in Europe valued £25 million, which is the fee that Manchester United paid to PSV.
West Ham too seem to have made a great move by signing defender Angelo Ogbonna. For a fee of around £9 million Slaven Bilic now will have a strong squad and depth in the back in the next 4 years. West Ham’s expectations have now risen without a doubt.
Petr Cech has made quite a bold move by going to Arsenal. After 11 years of service in Chelsea as the first-team goalkeeper, he has decided to move to Arsenal, which shows that he still has the love for the Premier League at the disappointment of the Chelsea fans.
One of the strangest decisions is Chelsea’s decision to get Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco. Falcao has had a very disappointing season with Manchester United, but who knows, maybe Mourinho has seen something in him that Chelsea can use in the following season. Chelsea have also signed Nathan, the 19-year old Brazilian midfielder from Atletico Paranaense. It seems as if he wants to save some money for a big and expensive football star.
Besides signing Milner, Liverpool seems almost completely uninterested in filling the void left by Steven Gerard, who moved to Los Angeles Galaxy for free. There is nothing better than signing a big star without spending a penny, almost the same joy as when you are offered to play with no deposit bonuses on your mobile phone.
Leicester City have made an interesting signing in the manager department. They have closed a deal with Claudio Ranieri to be their manager in the next 3 years. Ranieri’s last job was managing the Greece national team, but was sacked in November after a home loss against Faroe Islands.
Crystal Palace have made a shock transfer by signing Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-German, which shows how motivated they are to make a bigger impact from last season. Other interesting signings worth mentioning are Giorgino Wijnaldum (Newcastle United), Valon Behrami (Watford), Micah Richards (Aston Villa), James Milner (Liverpool), Enes Unal (Manchester City), one of Turkey’s hottest youngsters, Matteo Darmian (Manchester United) etc.
Discussion: The best signings in 2015 in the English Premier League
3 comments have been posted so far.
5. Morgan Schneiderlin - Manchester United (£25M/€36M)
The French midfielder was a key component of Southampton's midfield and his tough-tackling ability was certainly required at Old Trafford. He's not just limited to defending and is certainly a well-rounded midfielder. His transfer fee is the biggest in my list but he is worth every penny.
4. Toby Alderweireld - Tottenham Hotspur (£11M/€16M)
The signing of Alderweireld is a significant move for Spurs as they look to make greater strides in their quest for a Champions League spot. Toby impressed for loan club Southampton last term, alongside Schneiderlin, and is undoubtedly worth more than his comparatively low fee. Toby will link up with former defensive partner Jan Vertonghen and has been well received by the Spurs faithful.
3. Bastian Schweinsteiger - Manchester United (£12.5M/€18M)
First Juan Mata, then Angel Dí Maria and now Bastian Schweinsteiger. The end of the Fergie era has not seen Man Utd's attraction to world class players grow weak. Nobody can doubt Bastian's ability and with well over 20 winner's medals, including a World Cup winner's medal, he has more experience than anybody else out there. His ability as a playmaker is a huge boost for Man Utd as it now allows Rooney to play in his favoured striker role and get in to positions where he can score more often.
2. James Milner - Liverpool (Free Transfer)
Probably the player with the least ability in this list, but his move is an absolute bargain for Liverpool. Milner played an important role for Manchester City over the years, and for Aston Villa before that, and is hungry for success at Liverpool. While he does not fill the boots of the departed Gerrard (as if anybody ever could!), signing a player of Milner's ability and experience for free is a tremendous move by the Merseyside club.
1. Petr Cech - Arsenal (£11M/€16M)
This has been the best received move of the summer so far. Cech's service to Chelsea has brought him an endless amount of admirers and while he may have played second fiddle to the young Courtois, he has stepped in to a role of his own at Arsenal. Cech is still a top class goalkeeper, as he proved during his few appearances for Chelsea last season, and could be the difference between a top four fight and a title challenge for Arsenal. His experience will prove vital and he brings a winning mentality to the squad. He is my signing of the summer.
4. Toby Aldeweireld
3. Raheem Sterling
2. Angelo Ogbonna
1.Petr Cech
4. Toby Aldeweireld
3. Roberto Firmino
2. Memphis Depay
1. Bastian Schweinsteiger
For me