Rating the Best Summer Signings in the Premier League so far
There’s a familiar feeling to the Premier League in late October. The new arrivals have finally settled, the chaos of transfer season has calmed, and we can actually tell who’s delivering the goods. Some players make an immediate impact; others take their time, needing a winter to find their rhythm. This season’s class of recruits gives us a bit of both with headline makers, smart fits, and the quietly brilliant ones who make their teams tick without much fuss.
This isn’t about transfer fees or hype. It’s about who’s making a difference right now, a couple of months into the campaign. Who’s actually turning possession into points, and promise into presence.
365Scores’ Premier League Signings of the Summer so far
1. Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United
Four league goals and an assist don’t tell the full story. Bryan Mbeumo looks like he’s going to score every time he cuts inside. The Eden Hazard-esque (Yaya Toure favourite) body shape, the timing, the confidence – it all screams inevitability. Since swapping Brentford stripes for United red, he’s added a cutting edge to a side that desperately needed one.
His positioning has been excellent: drifting wide, darting between defenders, and always looking to pounce on a loose pass. In the early stages of Ruben Amorim’s first full season, Mbeumo has become the focal point. The chemistry with Matheus Cunha is building week by week, and his finishing has made United’s attack feel dangerous again. The numbers match the eye test. He’s among the league’s most efficient shooters so far.
If there’s a single player who’s transformed his team’s attacking rhythm since August, it’s Mbeumo.
⚡ Lightning start at Anfield! 🔥
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 19, 2025
Bryan Mbeumo’s strike is now the quickest ever goal in a Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield ⚽🏟️
History made in record time! ⏱️💥 pic.twitter.com/QUxJn2Olar
2. Adrien Truffert, AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth’s business was understated this summer, but Adrien Truffert’s arrival might be one of the smartest deals in the division. Having sold Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, Bournemouth needed to find a serious replacement. And they’ve found one. The young French left-back has been everything Andoni Iraola wanted: composed in build-up, brave in duels, and tidy under pressure.
He’s not flashy, but he doesn’t need to be. His passing angles give Bournemouth structure when they play out from the back, and his overlapping runs add just enough chaos in the final third. He already has an assist to his name and has slotted into Premier League life like he’s been here for years.
There’s a quiet assurance about him. He looks like a player who knows exactly when to accelerate and when to slow things down. Bournemouth fans should be delighted: Truffert looks like a long-term gem.
3. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland
Few predicted Granit Xhaka would be back in the Premier League, let alone anchoring a newly promoted Sunderland side punching above their weight. Yet here we are, and he’s been sensational. The Swiss midfielder has brought control, composure, and a hard edge to a team learning to thrive in the big time.
Xhaka’s three assists in his first nine matches tell you something about his influence, but the leadership is what stands out most. He’s made everyone around him calmer. When Sunderland beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, it was Xhaka dictating the tempo and snapping into tackles like it was 2016 again.
There’s always a risk bringing in an older head to steady a youthful side, but this one’s paying off. Sunderland are more than competitive because Xhaka gives them a platform to play.
4. Eberechi Eze, Arsenal
Eberechi Eze just moves differently. That slinky, balanced glide he had at Crystal Palace has translated perfectly to Arsenal’s attacking midfield. He’s not padding his stats with meaningless touches but creating overloads, pulling defenders apart, and linking play beautifully.
So far, Eze has a goal and two assists in the league, but those numbers undersell his impact. He’s constantly dragging markers out of position and making space for others to exploit. You can see Mikel Arteta refining his positioning, keeping him closer to central areas where he can dictate more.
There’s a sense that he’s one explosive performance away from a breakout stretch. Arsenal already had guile, but Eze adds improvisation, something that can’t be coached.
Eberechi Eze scored his first goal for Arsenal last night! How many will he bag for thr Gunners this season? pic.twitter.com/81sRl9jlGC
— 365Scores (@365Scores) September 25, 2025
5. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manchester City
Manchester City didn’t need a new goalkeeper. Then again, they didn’t need Erling Haaland either, and we know how that turned out. Donnarumma’s move from PSG might’ve raised eyebrows, but it’s quietly stabilised City’s backline.
He’s already among the league’s leaders in clean sheets and has settled seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s system. The passing range isn’t Ederson-level flashy, but the decision-making is immaculate. He doesn’t take unnecessary risks, and his sheer size makes him a wall from set pieces.
City look calmer defending crosses, and their defenders look like they trust him completely. There’s something unglamorous yet deeply reassuring about Donnarumma’s presence – it’s the kind of signing that keeps a champion hungry.
Gianluigi Donnarumma opens up on life a Man City! 🗣️
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 16, 2025
Have City sealed one of the best deals of the century? pic.twitter.com/4Xze4m5Rg4
6. Martín Zubimendi, Arsenal
Zubimendi isn’t a headline grabber, but his fingerprints are all over Arsenal’s possession play. The Spanish midfielder has been a quiet revelation in the base of midfield, replacing Jorginho’s guile with something cleaner and more controlled.
Two goals already hint at an expanding role, but it’s the little things – angles, anticipation, tempo – that stand out. He knows when to drop, when to switch, when to invite pressure and when to skip past it. Arsenal have looked more balanced since his arrival, and his chemistry with Declan Rice is developing nicely.
In a league obsessed with chaos, Zubimendi is a calm, typically Spanish metronome. He’s the kind of signing you appreciate more the longer you watch him.
7. Jack Grealish, Everton (loan)
Jack Grealish looks liberated. Away from the Manchester City carousel, he’s rediscovering his swagger at Everton. One goal, four assists, and a bucketload of chances created tell you he’s thriving with more responsibility.
He’s been their creative engine, carrying the ball through lines, drawing defenders out, and finding the final pass again. The raw numbers on dribbles completed are right near the top of the league, but the key is purpose. He’s not showboating anymore; he’s driving.
This loan could easily become a redemption arc. For Everton, it’s exactly what they needed: a player who makes things happen even when the game feels dead.
8. Nick Woltemade, Newcastle United
Nick Woltemade has landed in Newcastle like a meteor. Four goals in his first six Premier League matches, including three at St James’ Park, have given the Magpies’ attack new dimension. At 6’4”, he’s a physical mismatch for most centre-backs, but there’s finesse too. He’s got a lovely first touch – seen in that beautiful backheeled goal against Brighton – as well as clever movement, and a striker’s nose for space.
He’s quickly replaced Alexander Isak in the minds of the Magpies. Isak was quality, and they needed something special to effectively replace him.
It’s early days, but if he keeps this form, he could end up being one of the bargains of the window.
9. Matheus Cunha, Manchester United
Matheus Cunha’s early United career started well, but his first goal which was a beautifully composed finish in the 4–2 win over Brighton felt like a turning point. You could almost see the tension melt away.
The Brazilian has been a workhorse even before the goals came. His pressing triggers are sharp, his link-up with Mbeumo improving, and his willingness to drag defenders around opens space for others. He hasn’t yet replicated his 15-goal Wolves season, but the performances are trending up.
Cunha’s one of those players who makes everything around him work better. When he’s on song, United’s attack looks fluid and unpredictable.
10. Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool
Liverpool’s forward line is full of stars, but Hugo Ekitike has quietly carved a place for himself. Three goals and an assist in limited minutes is an excellent return, and his movement between defenders has given Liverpool’s front three a fresh twist.
He’s fast, direct, and clever in small spaces. He’ll drop deep to link play one minute and dart behind the backline the next. He’s also proving a useful foil for Mohamed Salah, often occupying defenders just long enough for the Egyptian to pounce.
It’s a small sample size, but Ekitike feels like one of those signings who’ll matter more by spring.
The Almosts
- Benjamin Šeško: Two goals and an assist in his last three games. Sesko is starting to purr.
- Senne Lammens: A fascinating young goalkeeper for Manchester United who’s played their last three games… and won them all.
- Mohammed Kudus: Tremendously gifted, already showing more than flashes, but needs more output to make this list.
- João Palhinha: A bruiser who’s made Tottenham’s midfield more robust but still finding the right balance
- Robin Roefs: Sunderland’s mega coup between the posts.
Early Awards That No One Asked For
- Best Fit: Martín Zubimendi. Arsenal finally look calm in midfield transitions.
- Most Inevitable Goal Threat: Bryan Mbeumo. He doesn’t hope to score but rather he expects to.
- Most Calming Presence: Gianluigi Donnarumma. Manchester City’s defence finally feels unhurried again.
- Instant Folk Hero: Nick Woltemade. He’s already earned his own chant on Tyneside.
FAQs
How were these Premier League rankings decided?
They’re based on early-season impact – goals, assists, performances, and influence – rather than transfer fees or hype.
Why prioritise recent Premier League form?
Because autumn form often predicts who’ll stay hot when the schedule gets brutal around Christmas.
Are fees irrelevant?
Not completely, but value comes from performance, not price tags.
Is this Premier League rankings list final?
Not even close. Players will rise, others will fade. That’s the beauty of it.
Why are some big Premier League names missing?
This is about immediate impact. Some stars will explode later in the season, but the ten here are already shaping their teams’ fortunes.
In the end, that’s what makes this league so watchable. Every summer, clubs chase the next big thing. Every autumn, the real answers start to emerge. Some signings fade into the background; others grab the Premier League by the collar and never let go. And right now, Bryan Mbeumo is very much in the latter camp.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
Keep up with all the latest football news and Premier League news on 365Scores!
