da bet7k： GOAL rates the best new arrivals of the campaign, taking into account performance, expectation and price. Look away now, Chelsea fans…
da pinnacle： Premier League clubs spent a record £2.8 billion ($3.5m) on transfers across both windows in 2022-23 and most of the big-money signings (apart from those who joined Chelsea) have had a huge impact on a hugely eventful and entertaining season.
Manchester City's astute transfer business (leaving aside Kalvin Phillips) helped them win the title, but Arsenal were also shrewd in the market and their signings helped them push Pep Guardiola's side all the way.
Brighton's excellent dealings helped catapult them into Europe for the first time while Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth made smart signings that helped keep them afloat in their first season back in the top flight.
Manchester United and Newcastle's new recruits also played big roles in their bids to finish in the top four and return to the Champions League.
GOAL rates the best transfers of the season, taking into account performance, expectation and price…
Getty21Neto (Bournemouth, free)
Bournemouth took something of a gamble by bringing in a goalkeeper who had been a back-up for most of his career. But the well-travelled Brazilian, who joined for free from Barcelona, has reignited his passion for football with the Cherries and has proved instrumental in them steering clear of the relegation zone.
Neto began the season in a familiar position – on the bench. But he was made first-choice goalkeeper when Gary O'Neil succeeded Scott Parker as coach after the team had conceded 16 goals in three games, including the 9-0 thrashing by Liverpool. He quickly stopped the rot before a muscle injury in October forced him out until January, but when he returned to fitness, he was straight back in the team ahead of Mark Travers.
His highlights include keeping a clean sheet against Liverpool, being the stand-out player in a crucial win at Wolves and making a double save against Leeds in the game which effectively guaranteed their safety.
AdvertisementBrentford20Ben Mee (Brentford, free)
Mee had been one of Burnley's most influential players in their long stay in the Premier League, and although Brentford had comfortably survived their first season in the top flight, the 33-year-old's experience has helped them kick on and earn their first top-10 finish.
The 33-year-old's knack for winning duels and staying concentrated has helped Brentford keep 10 clean sheets while he has also contributed a lot in attack, scoring three times and providing two assists. Not bad for a free transfer, eh?
Getty Images19Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds, £4m)
The Italian teenager has enormous potential and Leeds snapped him up from FC Zurich for just £4 million on transfer deadline day. He has been in and out of the team, particularly since Jesse Marsch's departure, but he has shown his quality on a number of occasions.
His volley in the FA Cup tie against Cardiff City was reminiscent of Paulo Di Canio, while he zipped his way through the Manchester United defence to score after only 55 seconds at Old Trafford. He has scored four goals and contributed four assists in his first season despite his limited first-team opportunities, and Leeds have a star of the future on their hands – if they can keep hold of him this summer.
Getty Images18Christian Eriksen (Man Utd, free)
The Dane has given United an extra layer of class in the middle, forming a winning axis with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. His pin-point passes have launched many an attack, but overall he has given the team more control and balance.
And he cost United nothing at all, joining as a free agent after rebuilding his career from the shock of his cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020 at Brentford having being released by Inter. The fact he has managed to return to the elite as an influential player for a club like United is truly remarkable.