2016 was a big summer as Premier League sides broke the £1bn mark for the first time and five of the best signings could form a formidable five-a-side team.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
The Premier League season is in full swing although for the moment it’s on the backburner due to the international break.
So while we eagerly await its return, let’s jump back a couple of months to a hectic transfer window that saw clubs smash the £1billion mark for the first time ever with their pockets stuffed full of TV cash.
13 clubs broke their transfer record as it wasn’t just the big hitters splashing the cash, but the most important thing is value for money and which stars have proved themselves to be perfect purchases.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba
For every Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly, there’s unfortunately a Gokhan Tore or a Paddy McNair waiting to happen.
But the transfer window has been a big success for many sides yet I know what you’re thinking: in the confines of a five-a-side football team, which new signings would make up the best possible team based on their form so far this season?
Well wonder no more as we pick the best five summer signings to make up a pretty decent side that would dominate any Sunday night league.
Maarten Stekelenburg – Fulham to Everton
Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg
Every five-a-side team needs a pretty handy (no pun intended) goalkeeper and Maarten Stekelenburg fits the bill.
With Tim Howard’s erratic displays getting more frequent, Everton needed to address the issue between the sticks this summer and the Netherlands international was the man they turned to.
He spent time on loan at Southampton under current Toffees boss Ronald Koeman and the former Fulham stopper has shown he can be the reliable goalkeeper Everton need with a string of impressive stops and being a part of a meaner defence that has only conceded five goals this season.
Reserve: Lee Grant – Derby to Stoke
Shkodran Mustafi – Valencia to Arsenal
Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi
The ‘will they, won’t they’ saga dominating Arsenal and Shkodran Mustafi ended with an emphatic yes as the German international made the move from Valencia and a smart move it turned out to be.
Alongside Laurent Koscielny, The Gunners looks a more meaner and reliable defensive unit and Mustafi has kept three clean sheets in the six games he’s featured for Arsenal in both league and Champions League.
After crying out for a leader for so long, Arsenal fans appear to have finally gotten their wish.
Reserve: Eric Bailly – Villarreal to Manchester United
Sadio Mane – Southampton to Liverpool
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane
Continuing the trend of Liverpool buying nearly half of Southampton’s first team regulars, the signing of Sadio Mane appears to have been the best acquisition of the lot from the South Coast.
The exciting winger already has three goals and an assist to his name as he gets better with every season and is a major part of why Liverpool have already scored 26 goals.
Mane’s eye for goal and his consistency makes him one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards, hitting double figures in each of his last four seasons as a professional.
Reserve: Nacer Chadli – Tottenham to West Brom
Victor Wanyama – Southampton to Tottenham
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
With Mousa Dembele’s suspension and Eric Dier’s recent injury, the arrival of Victor Wanyama came at a hugely important time for Tottenham and it’s not taken him long to prove his worth.
A goal against Crystal Palace was one thing, but the muscle and strength he’s added to Spurs’ midfield has made him a stand-out signing, none more so than in the 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
Pretty able with the ball at his feet too, Wanyama’s arrival ensures Tottenham no longer have a soft underbelly without compromising their style of play.
Reserve: Steven Defour – Anderlecht to Burnley
Christian Benteke – Liverpool to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke
A move that suited nobody, with Christian Benteke’s direct style at a clash with Liverpool’s quick and high-press football, it was no surprise to see the Belgian leave after just one season and how he and Crystal Palace are a match made in heaven.
Palace were desperately lacking a top-class striker last season and in Benteke they have that calibre of player that can do the damage as long as they keep supplying him crosses to get on the end of.
Three goals, all of which from headers, shows they’re doing just that and his impact at Selhurst Park shouldn’t be underestimated.
Reserve: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United
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