Trio of Chelsea stars make Premier League’s Best Signing XI
With the November international break upon us, we’ve taken a look at the best XI of summer signings in the Premier League this season, and it’s Chelsea who lead the way, with three players making the cut. There are also representatives from Tottenham, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, West Ham and Arsenal.
Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham) - 6.97
Many might have been unsure of Spurs’ summer business, particularly when they agreed an initial fee of £17m for Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, but the Italian has been an immediate hit at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and already looks to have cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s best stoppers. Only three other regular number ones can better Vicario’s save success rate of 72.2% after 12 matches, and his record has been somewhat unfairly harmed over the last two matches, when the quality of the players in front of him has led to more goals being conceded. The 27-year-old’s WhoScored rating of 6.97 makes him the highest rated goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea look to have finally secured a more than capable understudy for captain Reece James, with £30m French full-back Malo Gusto already impressing so far this season. The 20-year-old, who arrived from Lyon in the summer, found himself stepping into James’ role after the opening day draw with Liverpool, and went on to provide two assists in a 3-0 home win over Luton - showcasing his ability to get forward on the right flank. Reece James has since returned from injury, but Chelsea - and Mauricio Pochettino - will no doubt be reassured to have a quality right-back waiting in the wings.
Murillo (Nottingham Forest) - 7.00
Lining up in the centre of defence is Brazilian defender Murillo, who signed for Nottingham Forest in the final days of the summer window for around £10m. The 21-year-old made his first appearance in the draw at home to Brentford at the beginning of October, and has since started every Premier League match for Steve Cooper’s side. Murillo’s immediate adaptation to the English top-flight should be commended, and his WhoScored rating of 7.00 ranks him among the division’s best six central defenders (to have made six or more appearances).
Nathan Collins (Brentford) - 6.90
Joining Murillo in the heart of defence is Ireland international centre-back Nathan Collins, who made the move to Brentford from Wolves in the summer for a club-record £23m. Collins’ form, like much of his teammates’, struggled in the opening weeks of the season, but Thomas Frank’s side have since found their feet, winning three of their last four matches. The 22-year-old powered home a crucial match-winning header against West Ham earlier this month, and heads into November’s international break with a WhoScored rating of 6.90.
Josko Gvardiol (Man City) - 6.69
After a summer of back and forth, Manchester City agreed a fee just shy of £80m for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, and to say the Croatia international has settled in seamlessly in England would surely be an understatement. Gvardiol has started eight of City’s 12 Premier League matches so far this term, with the majority of his appearances coming on the left side of Pep Guardiola’s backline.
James Ward-Prowse (West Ham) - 7.30
Arguably one of the shrewdest purchases of the summer was that of James Ward-Prowse by West Ham for around £30m. The former Southampton man hit the ground running in impressive fashion for David Moyes, with five goal contributions in his first four matches for the Hammers. Ward-Prowse’s creativity from set-pieces has continued to shine through, too, and the 29-year-old provided two assists from corners in last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.28 - his second highest so far this season.
Not many could argue with Arsenal’s move to sign then West Ham midfielder Declan Rice in the summer window, even at the reported £105m price point, and the England international has continued to prove himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers. For Arsenal, Rice’s WhoScored rating of 7.23 so far this season can only be bettered by England teammate Bukayo Saka, and his two goals and one assist may well have come as a welcome surprise, particularly for a player who is often thought of as defensive-minded.
James Maddison (Tottenham) - 7.58
James Maddison’s move from Leicester to Tottenham for a reported £40m has continuously been hailed as the signing of the summer, and it would be difficult to build a case against that belief after the start to the season he made. Under new Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, Maddison has thrived in a role just behind Son Heung-Min, with three goals and five assists in his 11 Premier League appearances so far. Maddison’s WhoScored rating of 7.58 makes him the fifth highest player in the division as we head into the November break.
Eyebrows were certainly raised when Chelsea agreed to pay £45m for Manchester City academy product Cole Palmer in the summer, but what many may have seen as a gamble is now paying off for the Blues. Palmer has scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances under Mauricio Pochettino, while also providing two assists, and looks to have found a role and environment in which he can thrive. Palmer’s WhoScored rating of 6.98 makes him Chelsea’s fourth highest rated player so far this season, but many will argue he has been their most transformative.
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) - 7.02
Joining Palmer in the front three is Chelsea teammate Nicolas Jackson, who initially struggled to find his feet in the Premier League, having made a £30m move from Spanish side Villarreal. Jackson scored just once in his first six league starts - against newly promoted Luton Town - and lost his place in the side, only to regain it after returning to the scoresheet against Burnley in early October. In his last two matches, against Tottenham and Manchester City, Jackson scored four times and will head into the international break confident that he can continue to find the net on a regular basis.
Manchester City’s £55m summer move for Rennes winger Jeremy Doku may have been somewhat unexpected, and the 21-year-old’s play-style certainly doesn’t seem like that of a Pep Guardiola player, but the Belgian has made an extremely impressive start to life in England. Doku is completing more dribbles per game than any player ever has in a Premier League season under Guardiola, and even recorded a remarkable four assists in one match - making him the youngest ever to do so in the competition. Doku has also chipped in with two goals, and heads into the November break as the Premier League’s fourth highest rated player, and the highest rated summer signing, with a WhoScored rating of 7.59.
