ONE OF THE smartest buys of this transfer window, the £10 million (€14m) Arsenal paid for 33-year-old goalkeeper Cech could prove a snip if he can show safe hands which helped Chelsea win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups the Champions League and the Europa League during a decade at the club.
John Walton
John Walton
Micah Richards (Aston Villa)
Still just 27, Micah Richards is back in the Premier League after spending last season on loan in Serie A with Fiorentina. The former Manchester City defender has had his critics but he’s got the ability to become a leader at the heart of Villa’s defence.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
Radamel Falcao (Chelsea)
Endured a nightmare season on loan at Manchester United last term, but Jose Mourinho has given fellow Jorge Mendes client Falcao the chance to prove doubters wrong by offering him a year-long spell with the champions. The Colombian will play second fiddle to former Atletico Madrid team-mate Diego Costa but is sure to get chances to resurrect his career in the Chelsea team.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Patrick Bamford (Crystal Palace)
2015 Championship Player of the Year after leading Middlesbrough to the play-off final with 17 goals in 32 appearances, Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford has been farmed out to Crystal Palace this time around.
The 21-year-old, who is capped at underage for Ireland but most recently played international football for England’s U21s, possesses the abilities of a natural finisher and this will be his first opportunity to prove he can cut it in the top flight.
EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Gerard Deulofeu (Everton)
Having spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Everton, Gerard Deulofeu is back at Goodison Park after agreeing a £4.3m (€6.1m) permanent switch from Barcelona. The Spanish winger impressed two seasons ago and while he had a difficult time at Sevilla recently, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez expects him to rediscover his form.
Advertisement
Steven_Paston
Steven_Paston
James Milner (Liverpool)
Available on a free transfer after seeing out his contract with Manchester City, Milner will bring a vast amount of experience and leadership to the Liverpool midfield. A hugely-versatile player who has been used in several positions over the years, the 29-year-old said the chance to feature in a central role alongside international team-mate Jordan Henderson played a part in his decision to join the Reds.
Sakchai Lalit
Sakchai Lalit
Matteo Darmian (Man United)
Manchester United have been in the market for a right full-back for sometime and were linked with names such as Dani Alves, Nathaniel Clyne, Fabinho and Seamus Coleman in recent months. However, Louis van Gaal eventually opted for a cheaper option (£12.7m, €18.1m) in Torino defender Matteo Darmian. Comfortable across the backline, the Italian has already been impressing during United’s pre-season tour of the US.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle)
Georginio Wijnaldum became Newcastle’s third most expensive ever signing when he joined from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5m (€20m) last month. The Dutch attacking midfielder, who says the number 10 role is his best position, appears to have settled into life on Tyneside already with two goals in as many pre-season appearances.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Robbie Brady (Norwich City)
Part of Hull’s Irish contingent which was relegated from the Premier League, Brady has joined Stephen Quinn and Paul McShane by departing the Tigers for new pastures. Despite going down, the Dubliner was one the club’s stand-out performers and has earned himself a move to newly-promoted Norwich City.
Jordy Clasie (Southampton)
Ronald Koeman has re-invested half of the £24m (€35m) Southampton received for Morgan Schneiderlin in buying his replacement — Jordy Clasie. The Saints boss knows his compatriot well from their time at Feyenoord and the 24-year-old, dubbed ‘the Dutch Xavi, arrives with a big reputation.
Peter Dejong
Peter Dejong
Ibrahim Afellay (Stoke City)
Another Dutch import (albeit via Barcelona, Schalke and Olympiacos), Ibrahim Afellay probably next expected to find himself calling the Britannia Stadium home. The attacking midfielder’s switch from boyhood club PSV Eindhoven to Barca in 2011 never amounted to regular game-time and he wound up on loan in Germany and Greece. Now 29, he becomes the fourth ex-Barcelona player on the Potters’ books.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Andre Ayew (Swansea)
With experience in the Champions League for Marseille and the World Cup with his native Ghana, it is no wonder that Swansea fans are excited by the capture of Andre Ayew. The son legendary African footballer Abedi Pele, Swans boss Garry Monk has praised his quality but asked supporters not to expect too much too soon. Brother Jordan has also joined Aston Villa recently.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Jose Manuel Jurado (Watford)
It has been all change at promoted Watford with manager Quique Sanchez Flores joining 10 new names on the playing staff and one of the latest arrivals is Spanish playmaker Jose Manuel Jurado from Spartak Moscow. Flores knows him well from their days at Atletico Madrid and he is likely to use him regularly in the Hornets team.
David Davies
David Davies
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham)
West Ham beat off competition from the likes of Southampton, Everton and Napoli to secure the signature of 27-year-old defender Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus. Comfortable at left-back and centre-half, he is capped 10 times at senior level for Italy and should be a welcome addition.
14 of the shrewdest Premier League signings this summer
Petr Cech (Arsenal)
ONE OF THE smartest buys of this transfer window, the £10 million (€14m) Arsenal paid for 33-year-old goalkeeper Cech could prove a snip if he can show safe hands which helped Chelsea win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups the Champions League and the Europa League during a decade at the club.
Micah Richards (Aston Villa)
Still just 27, Micah Richards is back in the Premier League after spending last season on loan in Serie A with Fiorentina. The former Manchester City defender has had his critics but he’s got the ability to become a leader at the heart of Villa’s defence.
Radamel Falcao (Chelsea)
Endured a nightmare season on loan at Manchester United last term, but Jose Mourinho has given fellow Jorge Mendes client Falcao the chance to prove doubters wrong by offering him a year-long spell with the champions. The Colombian will play second fiddle to former Atletico Madrid team-mate Diego Costa but is sure to get chances to resurrect his career in the Chelsea team.
Patrick Bamford (Crystal Palace)
2015 Championship Player of the Year after leading Middlesbrough to the play-off final with 17 goals in 32 appearances, Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford has been farmed out to Crystal Palace this time around.
The 21-year-old, who is capped at underage for Ireland but most recently played international football for England’s U21s, possesses the abilities of a natural finisher and this will be his first opportunity to prove he can cut it in the top flight.
Gerard Deulofeu (Everton)
Having spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Everton, Gerard Deulofeu is back at Goodison Park after agreeing a £4.3m (€6.1m) permanent switch from Barcelona. The Spanish winger impressed two seasons ago and while he had a difficult time at Sevilla recently, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez expects him to rediscover his form.
James Milner (Liverpool)
Available on a free transfer after seeing out his contract with Manchester City, Milner will bring a vast amount of experience and leadership to the Liverpool midfield. A hugely-versatile player who has been used in several positions over the years, the 29-year-old said the chance to feature in a central role alongside international team-mate Jordan Henderson played a part in his decision to join the Reds.
Matteo Darmian (Man United)
Manchester United have been in the market for a right full-back for sometime and were linked with names such as Dani Alves, Nathaniel Clyne, Fabinho and Seamus Coleman in recent months. However, Louis van Gaal eventually opted for a cheaper option (£12.7m, €18.1m) in Torino defender Matteo Darmian. Comfortable across the backline, the Italian has already been impressing during United’s pre-season tour of the US.
Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle)
Georginio Wijnaldum became Newcastle’s third most expensive ever signing when he joined from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5m (€20m) last month. The Dutch attacking midfielder, who says the number 10 role is his best position, appears to have settled into life on Tyneside already with two goals in as many pre-season appearances.
Robbie Brady (Norwich City)
Part of Hull’s Irish contingent which was relegated from the Premier League, Brady has joined Stephen Quinn and Paul McShane by departing the Tigers for new pastures. Despite going down, the Dubliner was one the club’s stand-out performers and has earned himself a move to newly-promoted Norwich City.
Jordy Clasie (Southampton)
Ronald Koeman has re-invested half of the £24m (€35m) Southampton received for Morgan Schneiderlin in buying his replacement — Jordy Clasie. The Saints boss knows his compatriot well from their time at Feyenoord and the 24-year-old, dubbed ‘the Dutch Xavi, arrives with a big reputation.
Ibrahim Afellay (Stoke City)
Another Dutch import (albeit via Barcelona, Schalke and Olympiacos), Ibrahim Afellay probably next expected to find himself calling the Britannia Stadium home. The attacking midfielder’s switch from boyhood club PSV Eindhoven to Barca in 2011 never amounted to regular game-time and he wound up on loan in Germany and Greece. Now 29, he becomes the fourth ex-Barcelona player on the Potters’ books.
Andre Ayew (Swansea)
With experience in the Champions League for Marseille and the World Cup with his native Ghana, it is no wonder that Swansea fans are excited by the capture of Andre Ayew. The son legendary African footballer Abedi Pele, Swans boss Garry Monk has praised his quality but asked supporters not to expect too much too soon. Brother Jordan has also joined Aston Villa recently.
Jose Manuel Jurado (Watford)
It has been all change at promoted Watford with manager Quique Sanchez Flores joining 10 new names on the playing staff and one of the latest arrivals is Spanish playmaker Jose Manuel Jurado from Spartak Moscow. Flores knows him well from their days at Atletico Madrid and he is likely to use him regularly in the Hornets team.
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham)
West Ham beat off competition from the likes of Southampton, Everton and Napoli to secure the signature of 27-year-old defender Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus. Comfortable at left-back and centre-half, he is capped 10 times at senior level for Italy and should be a welcome addition.
Which players do you think represent astute buys?
Here’s each and every kit the 20 Premier League clubs will be sporting this season
Women’s football’s best player channelled her inner Paul Scholes for this game-winning belter
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Best signings Georginio Wijnaldum Gerard Deulofou James Milner matteo darmian Micah Richards New Arrivals Patrick Bamford Petr Cech Radamel Falcao