Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, United and City summer signings ranked 10-1

Now that the first international break of the season is upon us, we can take stock of the first four weeks of Premier League action. By now, supporters and managers would hope their new signings have settled into their new surroundings. Some have made bigger impacts than others, while others really haven’t met the standards expected. Of those that have played at least 100 minutes of Premier League action this season, WhoScored reveal the 10 summer signings made by last season’s top-six.

10. Sokratis (Arsenal) - 6.27 rating

Signed from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth nearly £18m, Sokratis has done little to suggest he will improve Arsenal’s defence. The Gunners were easily exposed towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s time at the club and you could argue they have become even more vulnerable under Unai Emery. Sokratis, in particular, does not inspire confidence. The 30-year-old has committed more fouls (4) than tackles (3) in the Premier League this season, while only four clubs in the division have conceded more goals than Arsenal (8). A lack of any pace has already looked a problem and Arsenal are yet to face some of the fastest attacks in the league.

9. Fred (Manchester United) - 6.41 rating

Aside from an encouraging first half performance against Tottenham, Fred has not made the impact many were hoping for in Manchester United’s midfield. The Brazilian arrived with an all-action reputation but has struggled for a defined role in the early stages of the season. Mourinho even dropped his £50m signing against Burnley last weekend and United improved massively. His performances to date could best be described as frantic, making more than three times as many fouls (7) as he has tackles (2). The 25-year-old has shown glimpses of his vision on the ball, but Mourinho will need huge improvements from his new midfielder after the international break.

8. Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) - 6.50 rating

Lucas Torreira was an exciting addition to Arsenal’s midfield over the summer, which makes his four substitute appearances so far this season even more frustrating. Emery has understandably looked to ease the Uruguay international into life in the Premier League but it hasn’t been made easy by Granit Xhaka’s poor displays. Torreira has only misplaced five of the 100 passes he has attempted this season, while also setting up Alexandre Lacazette for the winner against Cardiff last weekend. The 22-year-old hasn’t spent more than a half on the pitch yet, significantly limiting his influence on matches. Going forward, Arsenal supporters will hope Emery speeds up Torreria’s bedding-in period.

7. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) - 6.56 rating

Riyad Mahrez was the only signing defending champions Manchester City made during the summer and Pep Guardiola will need more the club’s club-record signing if they are to successfully retain their Premier League crown. The Algerian hasn’t looked particularly bad, but the statistics appear to show the 27-year-old is playing well within himself, taking time to adapt to a club with the pressure and expectation of Guardiola’s City. Mahrez played a direct hand in 22 league goals last season, averaging 2 shots per game, 1.6 key passes per game, 2.3 dribbles per game, while also being fouled 1.6 times per game. This season, however, those figures are down to 1.8 shots per game, 0.8 key passes per game, one dribble per game, while being fouled less than once per game.

At Leicester, Mahrez was used to getting the ball as often as possible but City are a different beast and not reliant on one player going forward, highlighted by the fact Mahrez averaged 58.4 touches per league game last season compared to 40.3 this time around. There has, however, been little difference in how often Mahrez receives the ball in the penalty area (3.5 touches per game last season compared to 3.3 touches this season), but he isn’t being anywhere near as decisive for City.

6. Kepa (Chelsea) - 6.61 rating

With time running out at the end of the summer transfer window, Chelsea astonishingly made 23-year-old Kepa Arrizabalaga the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time, paying a world record £71.6m fee for his services. Given the money involved, it’s a surprise little has been mentioned of his performances so far this season. Perhaps a reason for this is Chelsea have a 100 per cent record in the Premier League after four matches and Kepa is yet to be properly tested. Only three Premier League sides are conceding fewer shots on goal than Chelsea (8.8), while only Liverpool (1) have let in fewer goals than Maurizio Sarri’s side (3). 

5. Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal) - 6.63 rating

Signed as one for the future, 19-year-old midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has instead been thrust straight into the limelight by Arsenal manager Unai Emery this season. The France Under-20 international has shown plenty of promise in his first four games but also the fact he remains a diamond in the rough. A Premier League debut against Manchester City is as hard as they come and the teenager quickly realised the unforgiving nature of high level football, committing several individual mistakes during his first outing. Nevertheless, Guendouzi already looks a far better fit for Arsenal than Granit Xhaka and should be a first-team regular for Arsenal for years to come.

4. Naby Keita (Liverpool) - 6.95 rating

Naby Keita was one of the most exciting signings made by any club in Europe this season and much has been made of his early season performances for Liverpool this season, often too much. The 23-year-old has made a hugely encouraging start to life on Merseyside but there is still so much more to come from the former RB Leipzig star. Liverpool supporters have so far been limited to flashes of brilliance from their new No.8. Taking on Steven Gerrard’s old shirt does not seem to have bothered Keita in the slightest but the fact he was dropped against Leicester, and not James Milner or Georginio Wijnaldum, who have started all four of Liverpool’s league games, is a warning that Klopp doesn’t even think he has been their best midfielder this season, let alone their best player. 

3. Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) - 6.96 rating

The arrival of Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid completed a midfield overhaul for Chelsea in the summer, in addition to the signing of Jorginho from Napoli. Maurizio Sarri now has an immense first choice midfield three at his disposal and the early indications from Kovacic have been positive. The 24-year-old has only misplaced 13 of the 201 passes he has attempted in the Premier League this season, while averaging more tackles per game (3) than any other Chelsea player, even N’Golo Kante (2.5). Only averaging 1.0 dribbles per 90 through three appearances, we are yet to see Kovacic’s immense dribbling ability, which is natural given the Croatia international is looking to settle in to his new surroundings.

2. Alisson (Liverpool) - 6.97 rating

Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool has been immensely progressive but it’s clear that a world class goalkeeper has inhibited the Reds in the last few years, illustrated perfectly in last season’s Champions League final. They addressed the problem by signing Alisson from Roma for a then-world record fee and the Brazil international has oozed class from the moment he made his debut. Aside from a glaring error against Leicester last weekend, which remains the only goal he has conceded this season, Liverpool’s defence have looked all the better for Alisson’s presence between the sticks. Making important saves isn’t just what makes a goalkeeper world-class, but also the confidence they exude to the men in front of them. In Liverpool’s case, Alisson is capable of both.

1. Jorginho (Chelsea) - 7.01 rating

Jorginho was identified by Pep Guardiola as the missing piece to Manchester City’s puzzle at the start of the summer and it cannot be underestimated how much of a blow it was for the defending champions that the former Napoli man ended up at Chelsea rather than the Etihad. Regarded as one of the best central midfielders in Europe, Jorginho has already displayed his qualities for Chelsea in four appearances, taking control of their midfield and even dictating to others what they should be doing to implement Sarri-ball. Jorginho holds the record for the most passes in a Premier League game this season (173), even managing more than Newcastle as a team (131) in a 2-1 win away to the Magpies.