Which big-6 Premier League club has had the most success from their summer signings? Every transfer ranked

The Premier League's 'Big-6' all spent, well, big in the summer to improve their squads but has this gone to plan?

Tottenham and Manchester United hoped to banish suggestions that they no longer belonged in the discussion of best Premier League teams after a campaign which saw both flirt with relegation. Tottenham even setting a record for the most losses in a top-flight season without being relegated at 22. 

Arsenal made signings to try and win their first Premier League title under Arteta and their first since 2004. Bringing in the missing piece to the puzzle as well as other additions. 

Manchester City may have spent more sensibly than their competitors however, with the calibre of players they brought in, it was clear they hoped to rebuild and dominate once again after last season's failings.

Chelsea dipped into the Brighton player pool again, as well as looking abroad, to turn their success in the Club World Cup and Conference League into competing for a Premier League title. Enzo Maresca saying, after they won the latter, ''Chelsea is back.''

No team spent more however than champions Liverpool. Arne Slot's side looked to capitalise on Manchester City's weaker looking squad by breaking the bank so, the Reds could successfully defend the title for their first time. This included breaking the Premier League transfer record not once, but twice.

So, how have these signings panned out?

6: Liverpool

Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak is now the record transfer fee in Premier League history. At £125million it arguably is currently making him the biggest ever flop in Premier League history.

The Swedish striker shone at the smaller pond of Newcastle, scoring over 20 goals in a league season, which the club has not seen since the days of Alan Shearer.

Yet, he has only managed three goals so far this season for his new club and will not be scoring anymore any time soon after undergoing surgery on a lower-leg injury. He is expected back in March at the earliest

A combination of factors have caused this dip in form for a player most expected to shine on the bigger stage.

Missing a full pre-season, after refusing to train with Newcastle until he got his move away, and only signing for his new club on deadline day look the key factors.

Potentially dealing with the pressures and expectations of playing in a Liverpool shirt, especially as defending champions, could also be a factor, while Liverpool's style of play does not seen to suit Isak's game as well as Newcastle's set up did.

Florian Wirtz

When Liverpool signed Isak to break the transfer record they actually broke their own record set earlier in the same transfer window when they captured Florian Wirtz.

The German attacking-midfielder was highlighted as one of the best talents in Europe when he starred in a Bayer Leverkusen side that lost only one game in all competitions in the 2023/24 season. 

He was also described by former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as a: ''Once-in-a-century talent.'' This is why Liverpool did not feel £115million was a steep ask for the player. 

Unfortunately, Wirtz has struggled to have an impact, often praised for his technical ability but lacking in goals and assists. He has recorded two goals and one assist this season. However, these have all come in recent weeks, which could denote an upturn in performance as he finally gets up to speed and understand of the different, hard demands of the Premier League. 

Hugo Ekitike

The Frenchman signed for £79million, which although expensive in usual standards, it is clear he was going to be dropped for Isak who was the far more illustrious of the two.

However, has he far outshone the Swede and been Liverpool's standout player this season, proving one of their only bright sparks in a dark season. 

He has managed eight goals and made the striker position his own. Liverpool would be much worse off without the former Frankfurt player.

Milos Kerkez

Pundit Nendum Onuoha told ESPN when asked about Kerkez: ''He could be a great signing for the next 10 years.'' However, the left-back has not performed as hoped, with former Liverpool defender turned pundit Jamie Carragher comparing him to former Red's striker Darwin Nunez in terms of his erratic behaviour. Not a favourable description for your defender.

The Hungarian came to Liverpool from Bournemouth for £40million, which may sound a lot but Kerkez had become one of the best left-backs in the league over the last two seasons.

It seemed like a match made in heaven, however, it seems to be another case of the lights being too bright. Nerves accounting for that erratic behaviour.

Although, it is important to remember he is only 22-years-old and could turn his form around with experience. 

Jeremy Frimpong

Jeremy Frimpong was brought in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. This was a very difficult whole to fill with Trent being one of the most beloved players in the club's history, despite the manner of his exit.

The Dutchman, however, was not a like for like swap and has struggled. Also, part of that legendary Leverkusen team, where he played at right-wing-back . This means the worldclass right wing-back is wasted as a right-back, where he has been played.

As a result, Frimpong, who moved for £30million, has not performed to his expected high levels and manager Arne Slot has often preferred Connor Bradley to start.

The reason for Frimpong's failings are quite self-explanatory, as he is played out of position and has also struggled with injuries. Although, he has returned in recent weeks and looked much more well adjusted to the position. 

Overall, Liverpool's summer transfer window has failed, sitting at fourth in the table after winning the title and spending over £400million. Although, their lower placement is not entirely down to the signings especially, in Ekitike's place, who without Liverpool would be much lower in the League.

Salah's drop off in performance has been notable, going from the PFA Players' Player of the Year, to sitting on the bench, well the affect of Alexander-Arnold's departure is clear to see.

Considering the drop off in position and money spent, I would say Liverpool had the worst summer transfer window of the Big-6.

5: Manchester United

Bryan Mbeumo

Carl Recine/Getty Images

Bryan Mbuemo got a move to Manchester United this summer from Brentford after he was the third top goal and assist provider in the Premier League.

These numbers made the winger a hot prospect. However, was it is unlikely he would hit this performance level again in his career?

His 15-non-penalty goals last season was an overperformance of xG by 7.5. This as well as the fact he has never scored double figures prior.

For United this season, the number 19 has underperformed his xG of 7.54, only scoring six. These numbers are not awful but considering the expectation and price this is disappointing. He has been a marginal upgrade on Diallo statistically, scoring more goals per 90, with Diallo only managing eight.

The number 19 may not be as explosive as Diallo but was described by United's former midfielder turned pundit Owen Hargreaves, as: ''an exceptional footballer.''

He has helped improve United visually, with dummy runs and fast linkup play but has not been and may never be as good of a player as they thought they were buying. 

Benjamin Sesko

Benjamin Sesko was bought in for £73.7million from RB Leipzig but the Slovenian talent has failed to make his mark in England, joining the list of Bundasliga flops. 

Sesko has been an awful signing for the club, underperforming his xG with four goals out of an expected 5.97 and half of his goals came against second from bottom Burnley. 

The striker is only 22 and it may just be taking time to get used to the English game, but so far has not looked like an over £70million player.

Matheus Cunha

Ben Foster called Matheus Cunha 'world class' earlier this season and if we were to go on his previous two seasons at Wolves I think the former Manchester United player would have a point. But the Brazilian has not looked the same in the red of Manchester United.

They triggered the player's release clause this summer of £62.5million, which looked a great signing after Cunha managed 40 goals/assists in his last 63 Premier games, the 10th best in the league. 

Cunha was the main man at Wolves and they are now rock bottom without him, but his attitude has not change despite playing with better players. He often looks to go it alone rather than choosing the correct option and this cost United in their FA Cup exit against Brighton.

The Brazilian took three shots - all were off target. He is underperforming his xG of 5.01, with four goals. But he has, on occasion, looked excellent with his skill on full display in his debut, unlucky not to score a mercurial solo goal. 

Cunha has not been a good signing for United so far and considering he was brought in because of his history playing in a 3-4-3 at Wolves, he may struggle in a new system more, now that manager Ruben Amorim has gone. 

United may have flown up the table, sitting at seventh, eight places higher than last season, but this is more down to not being in Europe than their summer recruits, who are yet to improve the team significantly. 

4: Tottenham

Xavi Simons

James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

The former Barcelona wonderkid will always suffer from too high expectations wherever he goes after becoming famous at just 12-years-old, hitting 2million Instagram followers while still in the Barcelona academy. 

This has seemed to be the case with Tottenham, as fans expected the player they bought from RB Leipzig for £52milllion to instantly perform and, although he did not initially, he has slowly and steadily cemented himself as an integral member of the team.

He struggled in the Premier League but has put on multiple man of the match displays in the Champions League, which has now started to translate into the Premier League. The Dutchman picked up a man of the match against Brentford in a 2-0 win, scoring his first for the club while also getting an assist. 

After a naive challenge that saw him see red against Liverpool, it was evident how much better he made Tottenham after his return from suspension in a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth. Simons got an assist and made the team tick more than in the games he was missing. 

He has looked even better since his return than before in fact, after a brilliant display in the second half against Aston Villa where Tottenham threatened but ultimately failed to comeback in. 

He struggled at first to adjust to the physicality of the Premier League, which is why he started slowly but is showing signs of improvement. Although he has not been everything Spurs fans hoped, he can be a good player for them this season. 

Mohammed Kudus 

(Getty Images)

The Ghanian footballer was bought from West Ham for £55million and although he did not have his best campaign last season, his first season at West ham showed he can be one of the Premier League's best wingers.

He started in red hot form for Spurs and is one of the leading providers with five assists in the League. However, his performance have diminished. Kudus has struggled in recent weeks with decision making, often looking to hold onto the ball too long. 

He has also, unfortunately for the club, picked up an injury that scans show are far worse than initially feared. With the player potentially out for the rest of the season, it has not been a great signing so far however, as the talented player he is, I would count him out as a strong performer in future.

Thomas Frank's signings have overall made a positive impact, although seemingly not actually to Tottenham's league campaign, where the team have accumulated their lowest points total at this stage since 2008, worse than last season where they finished one place above relegation. 

3: Chelsea

Joao Pedro

Joao Pedro joined the list of Brighton players to be lapped-up by the big-six when he joined Chelsea in July. This made the striker, the sixth former Brighton player in their squad including the brilliant Moises Caicedo. 

The Chelsea number 20 was bought for £60million which seemed to be a bargain after helping the side win the Club World Cup in the US, where he scored in the final against European Champions, PSG. 

One of the player's strengths is his adaptability, which was utilised by former Blues' boss, Enzo Maeresca, who would deploy him at 10 as well as striker. His adaptability goes further with commendable defensive qualities that had him put at defensive-midfield in his academy days.

Chelsea would have expected to be higher in the league, now sitting eighth but this is not down to the Brazilian, who scored six goals in the Premier League and performed well.

Although, the player has not set the world a light, his regularly good performances, as well as helping the team win a major trophy make this a good bit of summer business. 

Estevao Willian

The Brazilian wonderkid was destined to play for Chelsea, sharing a name with club-legend, Willian Borges da Silva. He too is a winger and has impressed in his first few months at the club, getting Player of the Match against West Ham in a 5-1 win and being the best player on the pitch against Barcelona, with Yamal in tow. 

Estevao scored a brilliant solo goal against the La Liga Champions in a 3-1 win but the 18-year-old is not a protagonist for the club yet. He is used in rotation because of his young age but the £29million figure is not wasted as the former Palmeiras player is one for the future. 

Liam Delap

Son of long-throw specialist, Liam Delap proved to not just be a nepo-baby last season after scoring 12 goals for Ipswich. The Manchester City academy prospect had a combination of physicality and deftness that Chelsea has not seen since Romelu Lukaku's brief return.

This has not worked however, with $30million striker only scoring three goals after being sidelined by injury.

Chelsea's signings have not changed much at the club currently despite helping them win the Club World Cup, which came after lifting the Conference League trophy. They now sit four places below where they finished last season - fourth. 

The players however, have largely looked good and even in Liam Delap's case at only 22-years of age can come good. 

2: Arsenal

Viktor GyokeresBernardo Benjamim ATPImages/Getty Images

Arsenal, have been crying out for a striker for years with Gabriel Jesus often sidelined through injury, some saying the team's lack of a finishing-touch is the only reason they haven't lifted the title under Arteta. 

So, when Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon for only £55million it seemed they would comfortably win the league, with the Swede top goalscorer. However, only half of this arrangement has fully gone to plan.

The Gunners have gone six-points clear after a 0-0 draw with Liverpool. They are favourites to win the league even though Gyokeres has not dominated as intended.

While Viktor, has on occasion, seen himself dropped for midfielder, turned auxiliary striker, Mikel Merino, the Swedish player has still managed a respectable five goals in the Premier League,

However, after scoring 97 goals in his last 102 matches at Sporting, expectations were higher.

His stats may not be as expected but his overall play has been important to the Gunners, midfielder Decline Rice saying: ''We would not be where we are without him.''

Eberechi Eze

The 27-year old was bought from Crystal Palace for £68million from the jaws of joining Tottenham. Getting one over on their North London rivals makes this signing already worth it for some fans but his time at Arsenal has been mixed.

The England international came on late against Liverpool, in a 0-0 draw,  which was his first appearance since mid-December. The reason for the player's absence has been Arteta preferring other options.

Eze was bought for his ability to play both left-wing and attacking midfield but with Trossard being in the form of his life, with Arsenal's most g+a this season at 13 and Odegaard being the club's captain has pushed the new boy out.

With Odegaard's inconsistency and injuries we are likely to see more of the former Palace man where I am sure he will shine, Arteta saying: ''Ebs (Eze) has been exceptional when he has played and when he hasn't played that much.''

Arsenal fans won't consider the player wasted money despite not playing much, after he netted a worldclass hattrick against Tottenham in a 4-1 win. 

Noni Madueke

Madueke joined his third big six London club for £48.5million from Chelsea. The winger was brought to fill in for Saka when he is missing, the latter regularly injured.

He filled the understudy role when Saka had a hamstring injury early this season but has also often looked better than the Gunners' Starboy, but has been unfortunate to not see this translate to output.

Former England international Paul Parker when describing Madueke said: ''I actually think he is better than Bukayo Saka.'' He went on to say that Madueke 'frightens defenders' and the underlying data, backs this up, with an xG of 0.55 per 90 higher than Saka's 0.41 per 90. 

For all Madueke's danger however, this has struggled to translate to numbers with no goals or assists in the league, whereas Saka has a g+a of seven, and also missing a penalty in Arsenal's 4-1 win at Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

The number 20 has looked good in the Champions League however, especially against Club Brugge where he scored a brilliant brace. The Gunners went on to win 3-0.

Madueke is a good signing as he has been important and will continue to be so for Arsenal with Saka's injury issues however, has not yet filled the Starboy's boots in terms of numbers.  

Martin Zubimendi

Martin Zubimendi signing was a continuation of Mikel Arteta's obsession with his former club, with Oddegard and Mikel Merino both City ex Real Sociedad players.

The deep-lying midfielder joined for £60million and has been a starter for the club since his arrival where he has mostly been important, providing good ball-progression. 

The Spaniard has not been perfect and regularly criticised for struggles under pressure, which was seen against Crystal Palace when he gave the ball away several times in dangerous areas.

The player even issued a public apology for one mistake, saying: ''I'm disappointed in myself for the mistake that cost us the goal. The team deserved better and so did the fans.'' This was after he lost the ball against Tottenham and Richarlison scored with a brilliant finish.

Although, the player's comments could have been a joke as the mistake meant nothing with the Gunners winning 4-1.

Arsenal's summer was strong with the big names coming in helping them to be right where they want to be, at the top of the table.

1: Manchester City

Rayan Cherki

Lyon, needing to sell to avoid relegation, gave Rayan Cherki away for only £34million. The player had become integral to the team and has barely missed a beat at Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola saying, after a rabona assist against Sunderland: ''I never saw Messi do these kind of things.''

He is a big part of the reinvigoration of Manchester City, who last season often struggled to break teams down, with Cherki proving in tough situations he can provide moments of magic to open up the game. He has provided the second most assists this season with seven. 

Despite the praise, he has also shown inconsistency because of his risky style of play, the Manchester City boss said: ''Some moments I shout at him and then some moments I want to kiss him.''

Considering the price, his output and Manchester City's improved performance, sitting one place up from where they want to be he has been a great signing for the club. 

Tijjani Reijnders

Reijnders joined the Sky Blues from AC Milan, where he had become touted as one of the best midfielders in the world, for £46.3million.

He has at times struggled at the club after a fantastic debut against Wolves where he scored and assisted however, the issues have been down to him being played out of position.

At AC Milan he was a number 8 and even sometimes more offensive than that, which is how he managed double figures in goals last season. But often at City he has had to take the defensive-midfield role in the absence of former Balon D'or winner, Rodri. 

With the return of Rodri from injury meaning Reijnders can play higher up and be involved less with the physical side of the game where he is weaker, we will see him perform better.

This has already started, scoring a fantastic goal against Chelsea in a 1-1 draw where the pair played together. 

Reijnders has not had the best start to his City career but I think we will see a rapid improvement and come the end of the season will look like a great signing. 

Gianluigi DonnarummaJustin Setterfield/Getty Images

Gianluigi Donnarumma was the best goalkeeper in the Champions League last season and even got a clean-sheet in the final after a 5-0 win but was it a mistake signing him for £26million to replace Ederson?

The Italian provides something very different to Ederson, who was elegant and a ball-player, instead Donnarumma is a man-mountain and a better shot-stopper but not as technically gifted.

Ederson's shot-stopping was underrated, saving more non-penalty xG goals than anyone last in the league last season but these numbers are dwarfed by the Giant's. 

Only Jan Oblak and Brice Samba have conceded less goals than expected since the beginning of Donnarumma's career 10 seasons ago. The Italian number 1 has conceded 40.6 goals fewer than he should have done via xG data. 

City's, at times, leaky defence has been much improved since Gianluigi came in, conceding the second least in the league with 19 in 21 games,. This is a stark improvement from the 44 in 48 games we saw last season.

Considering the cheap price and overall improvement to Manchester City's defence this has been a good signing, despite the fact the Italian will not be able to replicate Ederson's ball playing ability which saw him claim four assists last season alone. 

The player has promised to improve this aspect of his game and the boss has defended his ball-playing ability, saying: ''Much, much better than people think.'' 

Manchester City have spent relatively low but reaped the rewards from their signings this summer, staying in the title race, whereas by this point last season they were out entirely.

Pep has improved specific weaknesses such as poor defence and a repetitive offense which cost them last season, with the players brought in.

With the combination of City's improved League performance, the value and player performance, I think they have done the best summer business, which could ultimately end with the Premier League trophy ret

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