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Picking the best Premier League XI made up of players signed this summer

Another summer of significant spending for Premier League clubs is over following the closure of the transfer window, the financial impact of a global pandemic seemingly not felt amongst some of English football’s biggest clubs.

Several leading names swapped club colours within the division whilst an intriguing window also saw the arrival of many new faces to the Premier League, spending exceeding £1billion as top-flight sides desperately sought to bolster their options.

Following a frantic deadline day and the closure of the transfer window, we’ve decided to look at some of the best new signings in the Premier League this season.

Here is our best Premier League XI made up of players signed this summer:

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez

After spending a decade on Arsenal’s books patiently awaiting an opportunity, Martinez was thrust into the first-team last season following an injury to Bernd Leno before starring over the second half of the season.

The Argentine impressed in helping the north London side to FA Cup success, but following the return of Leno made the decision to quit the Emirates in search of regular first-team football.

Aston Villa’s promise of the number one shirt persuaded the 28-year-old to join Dean Smith’s ambitious outfit, where has made a promising start with the club having posted a perfect record after three fixtures, including saving a penalty on his debut against Sheffield United.

Two clean sheets and currently in possession of the Premier League’s best defensive record, Martinez has settled quickly in his new surroundings and Villa can be confident they have now secured their goalkeeping position for seasons to come.

Right-back: Timothy Castagne

Leicester’s savvy recruitment team have rarely failed in recent seasons and once again left Brendan Rodgers looking like someone holding a ticket bought by a lottery winner, the acquisition of Timothy Castagne seen as another shrewd investment following his superb start at the King Power Stadium.

The versatile Belgian international struggled for regular opportunities at Atalanta given the presence of dynamic full-back pairing Hans Hateboer and Robin Gosens, but has settled quickly in English football and into Rodgers’ side.

Castagne marked his debut with a goal at West Bromwich Albion and has also registered a further two assists in four appearances to date, marauding down the flanks as the Foxes’ flying full-back.

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Comfortable on either side and further forward, the multi-functional 24-year-old can prove to be Rodgers’ equivalent of a Swiss Army knife this season and edges out Wolves’ Nelson Semedo for a place in our XI.

Centre-back: Ruben Dias

Manchester City’s search for a centre-back led to the club-record signing of Ruben Dias from Benfica, a player who had long been tipped for a move to one of Europe’s elite after coming through the academy ranks at the Portuguese side.

Dias looks the ideal defender in a Pep Guardiola side and ranked amongst the division’s highest for successful passes in Portugal last season, whilst his 2.6 aerials won per game is higher than any of City’s current centre-back options.

Defensive frailties contributed to Guardiola’s side relinquishing the Premier League title last season as they fell significantly short of champions Liverpool, the addition of Dias and fellow defender Nathan Ake hoped to solve their long-standing issues.

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Having captained Benfica despite only turning 23-years-old earlier this year, it will be hoped the Portuguese can become the leader that has been missing in the City backline this season.

Centre-back: Gabriel

Partnering Dias in the centre of our defence is Arsenal new boy Gabriel, who has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League following his signing from Lille.

Arsenal have long lacked solidity in central defence but the arrival of the Brazilian has raised optimism they have found the long-term solution to their woes, the 22-year-old producing a series of commanding displays to be named as the club’s Player of the Month for September.

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The youngster has helped the north London side to three wins from the three league fixtures he has played, his towering presence instantly improving the backline and offering huge promise given his scope for improvement.

Left-back: Ben Chilwell

Chelsea spent big to make Ben Chilwell part of their expensive summer outlay on new talent, striking a deal with Leicester to bring the England international to Stamford Bridge.

Chilwell has established himself as a first-choice for the Three Lions and is regarded amongst the division’s most dependable full-backs, his arrival solving what has been a problem position for the west London side.

Strong defensively and a threat going forward, the 23-year-old marked his full league debut with a goal and an assist against Crystal Palace, his superb delivery offering a new threat to Frank Lampard’s side this season.

Amongst the glitz and glamour of Chelsea’s signings this summer, Chilwell may just be their most sensible acquisition.

Midfield: Thomas Partey

The sole deadline day arrival to make our best XI of summer signings, Arsenal sealed the late signing of Thomas Partey after activating the release clause in the midfielder’s Atletico Madrid contract.

Mikel Arteta had long been linked with a move for the Ghana international as he sought to add dynamism to his midfield ranks, the capture of the 27-year-old the latest impressive addition to an emerging side at the Emirates.

Partey is industrious and powerful but possesses underrated technique and ability to pick passes, an all-action star who looks set to thrive amid the rigours and demands of English football.

His signing adds a new dimension to the Gunners engine room and, together with the aforementioned Gabriel, significantly strengthens the spine of a side which has been sub-standard in recent seasons.

Midfield: Thiago Alcantara

Liverpool’s coronation as Premier League champions with a record seven games to spare left many questioning where Jurgen Klopp could improve his squad this summer, the answer coming in the form of one of world football’s finest midfielders.

Thiago Alcantara helped Bayern Munich to treble success last season before deciding on a new challenge, moving to Merseyside to add a sprinkling of stardust to an often workman-like midfield.

The Spaniard is a sensational technician and adds a new dynamic to Klopp’s options, a player capable of dictating the pace of a game and influencing the biggest of occasions.

His first half of football in Liverpool colours saw him break a Premier League record for most passes completed, taking control of the second half against Chelsea and instantly putting his stamp on his new side.

Midfield: Kai Havertz

Chelsea’s billionaire-backed summer spree brought a host of exciting arrivals to the capital, but arguably their most eye-catching piece of business was the club-record signing of Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Havertz had been courted by the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich before deciding on a new venture at Stamford Bridge, the west London side securing the signing of one of world football’s best young players for a fee of £72m.

The 21-year-old will take time to adapt to the Premier League, but showed glimpses of his vast potential with a hat-trick against Barnsley in the League Cup and possesses the potential to be a leading figure for both club and country.

Finding his best position is the next step for Frank Lampard with Havertz having shone in a variety of roles during his time in the Bundesliga, an aesthetically pleasing player to watch and a fine addition to English football.

Right-wing: James Rodriguez

Arguably the Premier League’s stand-out player so far, James Rodriguez has wasted little time in introducing himself to English football following a superb start at Everton.

His free transfer signing from Real Madrid already looks like a bargain following a series of classy displays for the surprise league leaders, Carlo Ancelotti’s arm round the Colombian’s shoulder paying dividends on Merseyside at present.

Rodriguez has scored three goals in four fixtures and added more than a touch of quality to Everton’s attacking play, drifting inside from the right flank and providing superb deliveries both from open play and set-pieces.

The 29-year-old looks back to his best following a difficult spell and Everton are reaping the rewards, a special talent who has found himself a home at Goodison Park.

Left-wing: Gareth Bale

Another player who chose to leave his peripheral status at Real Madrid for the Premier League, Tottenham will be hoping Gareth Bale can match Rodriguez’s impact following his return to north London.

Twice named as the PFA Player of the Year before his world-record move to the Bernabeu seven years ago, Bale’s return is headline news in English football and if he can provide even a percentage of his previous performances Spurs will have a fine asset on their hands.

The Welsh international’s game has adapted from the lung-busting runs of yesteryear, but he has the pace and ability to be a match-winner for Jose Mourinho’s side as they seek a top four finish.

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Arguably British football’s greatest export after winning four Champions League trophies and scoring over a century of goals at Real Madrid, Bale will nonetheless be out to prove a point following his recent struggles at a club where he is very much adored.

Forward: Timo Werner

It’s not quite clicked for Timo Werner at Chelsea as of yet but there are few doubting the goals will soon flow, the Germany international having scored prolifically for club and country throughout his career to fate.

Werner became the all-time leading goalscorer in RB Leipzig’s history during a four-year spell at the club, scoring 95 goals in just 159 appearances, including a career-best 34 in all competitions last season.

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The 24-year-old possesses electric pace and the movement to scare even the division’s best defenders, his deployment on the left by Frank Lampard failing to extract the maximum from his talents.

The German registered his first goal for the club in the League Cup defeat to Tottenham and will be desperate to score his first in the Premier League, his performances only likely to improve in the coming weeks as he continues to adapt to English football.

Read – Ten late signings we’re looking forward to see make their Premier League debuts

Read Also – The real ‘Big Six’? The most top six finishes in English top flight history

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