With the January transfer window just around the corner, clubs will have their winter shopping lists at the ready in anticipation of strengthening their squads. Before any new acquisitions arrive, then, WhoScored takes time out to stop and assess those summer arrivals to have made the biggest impact so far. As the season approaches the halfway stage, here’s our Premier League breakdown of the top-rated new signings, in accordance to position:
Goalkeeper - Michel Vorm
The Dutchman has been a sensation since moving from FC Utrecht for a bargain £1.5m this summer. Appearing in all Swansea’s 17 games so far, Vorm has chalked up an incredible 8 clean sheets - the most of any keeper in the Premier League. Six of those have come at home, with Vorm being beaten in just two matches at the Liberty Stadium this term. Given that one of those was an own goal by Danny Graham, this means that Javier Hernandez is the only away player to find a way past Vorm in front of his own fans so far - an incredible achievement.
With 66 saves and 29 good claims amongst among his WhoScored stats, the Swans new boy has also saved 2 penalties and picked up the man of the match award on 4 occasions. With an average of 7.23, Vorm is not only the top-rated keeper in the Premier League, but the second in all of Europe’s top five leagues, with only Granada’s Roberto returning a superior score.
Defender - Phil Jones
Many had assumed Jones would be eased into action in his first season at Old Trafford but the former Blackburn man’s versatility has proven crucial to the champions. With the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher ruled out with injury and illness respectively, Jones has started 14 of United’s 17 fixtures, with a sub appearance also thrown in for good measure.
Playing at right-back, centre-half or in central midfield, he has excelled with a series of eye-catching displays and has quickly proved to be a key performer for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Defensively, he has impressed, with 2 tackles, 2.1 interceptions and 4.4 clearances per game and has also won 1.3 aerial duels on average.
Going forward, he has 0.9 shots per game, the most of any United defender and has demonstrated a consistent creative streak, with 0.7 key passes, grabbing a goal and assist as a result. Jones has also averaged 0.9 successful dribbles - this is greater than Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, two of United’s three main wingers this term. Also picking up a WhoScored man of the match award, he has averaged 7.19, the fifth-best tally of United’s outfield players to date.
Midfielder - Mikel Arteta
A last-minute transfer from Everton helped plug the gap left by Cesc Fabregas’ departure to Barcelona and with Jack Wilshere also sidelined due to an ankle injury, Arteta’s contribution to the Gunners cause has been vital.
The Spaniard has been at the hub of Arsenal’s play, making 78.5 passes per game with an outstanding accuracy of 90.1%. He’s created more goalscoring opportunities than any other player on Arsene Wenger’s side, making 2.4 key passes per game, but has, surprisingly, picked up just a single assist to date over his 14 appearances for the London club. Arteta has posed a strong goal threat, too, and with 1.4 shots per game, has found the net on 3 occasions.
He’s not just stood out offensively, though; Arteta’s all-round contribution is highlighted by strong defensive work of 2.1 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game and with a WhoScored average of 7.5, he’s second only to Robin Van Persie (7.88) for the Gunners and ninth overall in the Premier League.
Forward - Sergio Aguero
The focal point of Man City’s attack-minded approach under Roberto Mancini this season, Aguero has wasted little time in settling in at the Etihad since joining the club from Atletico Madrid. A double on his debut signalled the Argentine’s intent and he has continued to fire in the goals, notching 13 in his 16 appearances, making him the second-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Wayne Rooney, with only Robin Van Persie (16) netting more.
Averaging 3.8 shots, Aguero has found the net with every 4.6 attempts - a stat indicative of his clinical finishing and one that dismisses any notion that it takes time to settle in a new environment - a player of Aguero’s class clearly needs no period of adaptation. He’s also produced 1.5 key passes per game, the fourth most impressive of the league leaders, and picked up 4 assists for his creative output. Factor in his average 1.1 successful dribbles and 3 man of the match awards and it’s obvious how integral he is to City’s title push. A WhoScored rating of 7.59 is the sixth best in the Premier League this term and the most impressive of any new signing to date.
