REVEALED: The top 10 signings in Europe this season - part two

It’s top five time as we countdown the best summer signings of the season so far, with clubs no doubt keen to find players that can have an impact as great as the following this month.

5) Hatem Ben Arfa (Rennes) - 7.42 rating

One of the most frustrating players of a generation, when Ben Arfa puts his mind to it he’s a mercurial talent, and Rennes have certainly seen managed to get a tune out of the 31-year-old to now. While not quite at the level he reached for Nice - earning an ill-fated switch to PSG - the trickster has had a clear impact on his new club’s results since being picked up on a free, with Rennes averaging 1.64 points per game in his 11 league starts - scoring four goals and registering two assists - compared to just 1.22 when he hasn’t been named in the XI. Ben Arfa is averaging the most dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 this season (5), which is impressive given the presence of the likes of Neymar and Mbappe.

4) Joao Cancelo (Juventus) - 7.49 rating

Juventus’ lower profile Portuguese acquisition of the summer deserves his fair share of credit this season, with Joao Cancelo having enjoyed an excellent start to life in Turin. Snapped up from under Inter’s nose having spent last season on loan with the Nerazzurri, the right-back’s last league appearance prior to injury was a man of the match showing against his former club, registering his second assist of the season. The 24-year-old has created 1.9 chances per 90 this season - all from open play - which is far and away the best of full-backs in Serie A, while ranking fourth in terms of dribbles per 90 (3.1).

3) Wahbi Khazri (Saint-Etienne) - 7.49 rating

Much like Newcastle fans might read of Ben Arfa’s inclusion with disbelief, Sunderland fans should look away now, with Black Cats flop Khazri shining since returning to France on a permanent basis. The Tunisian has six goals in his last five appearances for Saint-Etienne and 12 for the season in Ligue 1, including a joint league high of four from outside the box (4). The 27-year-old has flourished in a centre forward role of late but still chipped in with 2.2 key passes and 1.6 tackles per 90 minutes, firing Sainte to third in the table.

2) Youcef Atal (Nice) - 7.49 rating

Nice have a habit of finding exciting wide players only to lose them to the Premier League and Youcef Atal will certainly have caught the eye since his arrival. The Algerian’s busy displays at both ends of the pitch have been a highlight in a side that has otherwise been somewhat underwhelming, with the youngster averaging a superb 4.1 dribbles per 90 minutes this season. His versatility down the right flank has been a real asset to Patrick Vieira, and the team have conceded just six goals in the 22-year-old’s last 11 appearances, with Atal averaging 2.8 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per 90.

1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 7.73 rating

There weren’t many that doubted Ronaldo’s ability to take to a new league so quickly but those that felt the goals may begin to dry up in Italy have been corrected. The 33-year-old continues to score at a sensational rate, with 14 league goals in 19 appearances this season and a further five assists to his name in Serie A. He’s only failed to have a direct hand in a goal in two of his last 16 league outings, and while his shots per 90 minutes of 6.9 is unsurprisingly a league high, the former Real Madrid man is averaging more key passes (1.5) and dribbles (1.2) per game than in his final two seasons in Spain.