With the curtain closing on the Premier League season soon, there is no doubt it was many of the new arrivals who were the main protagonists of this iteration of the English top flight. Soccer Laduma looks at who have been the five best signings of the EPL campaign!
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5. Casemiro (Manchester United)
Manchester United had an abysmal start to the season, first losing 2-1 to Brighton Hove Albion at home before being thumped 4-0 at Brentford, and it was clear the team had a fragility to it that needed immediate attention. Erik ten Hag consequently spent €70 million (R1.4 billion) on serial winner and Brazil international Casemiro. The 31-year-old has come into the midfield and added a lot of solidity at its base. He has also showcased his offensive attributes by chipping in with goals and assists too.
4. Sven Botman (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United have officially qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League, completing a dramatic turnaround under Eddie Howe, so including one of their players is only fair. While Nick Pope has been immense in goal for the Magpies this campaign and Alexander Isak has transitioned into the league with relative ease, Sven Botman has arguably been Newcastle's most consistent performer. The club attempted to lure him away from Lille during the middle of last season but now their Dutch stalwart has repaid the club's patience with many top performances. For a long time, the 23-year-old helped the Geordies maintain the best defensive record in the league. His imposing stature and ability on the ball make him a fundamental competent in Howe's side.
3. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal)
The Ukrainian utility player has had an incredible impact at Arsenal ever since arriving at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta has entrusted him to fulfil the role of inverted fullback for the Gunners and it has worked with great aplomb as the overloads that Arsenal create in the midfield are a big part of why they are such a prolific side today. The 26-year-old has been one of the most influential players in the English giants' biggest matches this season as he helped the side challenge his old team, Manchester City, for the league championship. While the Ukraine captain improved the footballing quality at Arsenal, he also brought with him a winner's mentality. This intangible attribute is a big reason why the north Londoners were able to give the reigning champions a run for their money.
2. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
The Sao Paulo native's addition to the Arsenal dressing room has been spectacularly fruitful for Arteta. The 26-year-old has had a holistic impact on how the entire team plays the game and while it may not show in terms of goals and assists, the Brazil international is playing at an elite level. His ability and willingness to press, his hold-up and link-up play, coupled with his ability to find the back of the net and to put a teammate through on goal are all components that have allowed the English outfit to be so free-scoring over the course of the season. His inclusion has accentuated the goalscoring prowess of the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
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1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Many wondered if Erling Haaland would struggle to settle into a City side that were used to playing without a traditional striker, but not only has he settled in, the young superstar has thrived. The Norwegian has played in his homeland, Austria and Germany previously, but it is arguably in the toughest league in the world where he has enjoyed his best-ever goalscoring season to date. The 22-year-old has made a mockery of the league's goal records as he netted 36 times so far in the division and 52 across all competitions. Having already secured the Premier League title, the Scandinavian hitman will be hoping to lead the club to their first-ever treble triumph.
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