Sport
Who are the best Premier League signings of the 2021/22 season?
Euro 2020 and the Olympics have meant that the usual flow of transfers into the Premier League has slowed down this window – for now. But, despite that, there has been some quality additions to the English top-flight and a handful of new players that fans have every right to be very excited about. So, who are the best Premier League signings of the 2021/22 season so far?
Best Premier League signings 2021/22
Bryan Gil (Tottenham Hotspur)
The idea of star striker Harry Kane leaving North London has occupied the minds of Spurs fans for months. However, they finally have something positive to think about after the arrival of Bryan Gil. The Spanish winger has joined Nuno Espirito Santos’ men for £22million, with Erik Lamela going to Sevilla as part of the deal too.
Gil has all the attributes of a top-quality, young winger. Although slightly rough around the edges in regards to his decision-making, the 20-year-old has blistering pace, a constant desire to take on his man and simply wants to score goals and win games. Often played as a left-winger, Gil is versatile and can play on either flank or behind a striker; it is unlikely he will displace Heung-Min Son so is likely to feature in an unpreferred position.
Tottenham have signed several wingers in the last few years, with Gareth Bale on loan and Steven Bergwijn being the two most recent but none have truly torn the Premier League apart. Gil is incredibly high-rated in Spain and they believe he is a brilliant talent, so whether he can justify what they see in him and become one of the best Premier League signings of the 2021/22 season will be very interesting to watch.
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
In what seemed like a never-ending saga, Jadon Sancho has finally signed for Manchester United. The winger has joined the Red Devils for £73million, making him one of the club’s most expensive signings in history and fans all over the country are eager to see whether he will live up to such a price tag.
After joining Borussia Dortmund in 2017, the English winger set the Bundesliga alight, scoring 55 goals in 157 appearances in all competitions. His acceleration, quick feet and flair caught the attention of top clubs all over Europe and it was only a matter of time before someone met BVB’s asking price.
Now at United, all eyes will be on Sancho to see if he can deliver much-needed silverware to Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attack is now one of the best in the league and the addition of the 21-year-old is only going to boost the morale in the changing room, it could be an exciting season for United fans.
Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)
Since the arrival of Patrick Vieira, Crystal Palace have started recruiting some excellent talent. The Eagles have strengthened well at the back, signing Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi, and now have a top talent in the attacking department on their hands too in Michael Olise, who could prove to be one of the best Premier League signings in 2021/22.
The former Reading playmaker impressed in the Championship last season, scoring seven and assisting 12 in 37 appearances. His ability with both feet and creativity makes him a top prospect that can play anywhere across the frontline, though he is better suited as an attacking midfielder.
Olise, who is just 19 years old, will be one of many flair players at Palace. Alongside Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha, the young Englishman should slot in with ease and make the South London club a very exciting watch in the upcoming campaign.
Patson Daka (Leicester City)
Since Riyad Mahrez departed in 2018, Leicester City have struggled to find another natural goalscorer to help relieve some weight from Jamie Vardy’s shoulders. Last season Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to the plate and grabbed 12 goals, however, it remains to be seen whether his end of the season flurry was a purple patch. But whether he will have an opportunity to continue that form is unknown as manager Brendan Rodgers has brought in target man Patson Daka.
The Zambian arrives from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg after four successful years at the club, overall scoring 54 in 82 league appearances and making his mark in the Champions League and Europa League too. At just 22, Daka has the potential to develop into a real force in the Premier League. He is competent in the air, loves to run in behind and has composure in front of goal beyond his years.
Adapting from a subpar league to the English top-flight is a significant leap in class, but if given patience and opportunities then Daka should be up to the task. Rodgers has acquired the services of a real talent and it will be interesting to see how he partners him up with Vardy/Iheanacho upfront in the next campaign.
Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa)
After an impressive 2019/20 Premier League season with Norwich, it was only a matter of time before Emiliano Buendia made a move to a team higher up the football pyramid. For a long while, that club looked like it would be Arsenal, however, Aston Villa made their move sooner than the Gunners and the Argentine is now theirs. With Leon Bailey also announced, Villa’s attack could be fearsome next season yet it is Buendia who looks to be one of the Premier League signings of the 2021/22 season.
Buendia made a mockery of the Championship last season with 15 goals and 16 assists in 39 appearances, earning him the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season award and confirming himself as a quality attacker.
The 24-year-old right-winger could form a trio with Bailey and Ollie Watkins that is capable of pushing Villa closer to their dreams of returning to European football. Buendia drifts into pockets of space to create openings for his teammates, and he has the skillset to craft open an opportunity with the ball at his feet too. Now at Villa Park, it will be interesting to see whether the former Getafe man can meet the expectation that his £31m price tag brings.
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