Erling Haaland is thriving but Darwin Nunez is struggling – 10 summer signings assessed

After Premier League clubs spent over £2BILLION in the summer transfer window, it’s safe to say managers and fans alike were expecting big results.

Manchester United backed Erik ten Hag to freshen up a stagnant side, Liverpool and Man City each got a new No9, while new Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly played his own version of Football Manager by jetting around the world to find some the game’s biggest win name.

But six months later, how are the 10 most expensive signings doing? sports mail look at the hits and misses, or if the jury is still out…

Manchester City secured the jewel of the summer window through landing striker Erling Haaland

Anthony

Ajax to Manchester United – £85.5m

Huge price tag… not a huge post so far.

With Jadon Sancho struggling, placing the Brazilian down the right was a boost for Ten Hag.

But his performances are frustrating to say the least and while there is immense talent there it needs to start converting into consistent goals and assists.

Antony (right) has produced moments but has shown little consistency for Man United so far

His appearance at Wolves infuriated talkSPORT pundit Stuart Pearce – and he wasn’t alone.

“Antony has no intention of backtracking, wolves can find a lot of joy on this side,” Pearce said, later adding, “He irritates me to death.”

Gotta take the next step.

VERDICT: JURY FEST

Wesley Fofana

Leicester City to Chelsea – £70m

Given he’s only featured in four Premier League games this season, the sample size feels too small to judge him properly.

Fofana was a star at Leicester and has the right age profile to be a key figure in Chelsea’s long-term defensive future.

Get over his knee injury and he can finally start paying back his mammoth prize.

VERDICT: JURY FEST

Wesley Fofana is a brilliant talent but has been plagued by injuries since joining Chelsea

Darwin Nunez

Benfica to Liverpool – £64m (plus £21m add-ons)

With Jurgen Klopp questioning his ‘shooting technique’ and Domino’s Pizza trolling him on social media, this is not how Darwin Nunez imagined his first six months as a player in England.

Ahead of Monday’s defeat at Brentford, the Uruguayan ranked first for shots per 90 minutes (6) among players in Europe’s top 10 leagues with 500 minutes or more of play this season.

The problem is that he ended up 99th in goals per 90 minutes (0.57) – with a number of big chances going awry.

Gary Neville has supported him to continue and be world class despite some initial struggles, but it’s been a difficult start at Anfield, although his magnificent finish against Wolves gave hope for much more to come.

VERDICT: YOUNG LADY

Darwin Nunez had a difficult start to the season and was trolled on social media

Casemiro

Real Madrid to Manchester United – £60m (plus £10m add-ons)

A turning point for Ten Hag and Manchester United.

Alongside Raphael Varane, with whom he played at Real Madrid, the two have yet to concede a Premier League goal this season while sharing the same pitch – with the duo proving they were key to the club’s mini-revival .

Casemiro has shown real presence and a sense of leadership in midfield, which has been a problem area for United for a number of years.

His passing game has also caught the eye, as has his innate interpretation of the game, which allows him to disrupt play.

They may have missed out on Frenkie de Jong but Casemiro’s arrival can be counted as a huge achievement for United.

VERDICT: BEAT

Casemiro has taken the lead in a Man United midfield that had evidently lost their way

Alexander Isak

Real Sociedad to Newcastle United – £60m

Much like Fofana, such a small sample size makes assessing – or planning – Isak’s start in the Premier League particularly problematic.

The 23-year-old arrived from Real Sociedad with high expectations and scored on his debut away at Liverpool.

But from there he managed just two more league games and one more goal before being sidelined through injury.

Leading the line for Newcastle he has scored twice in three games but hasn’t managed nearly enough.

Must put injury worries behind as Newcastle embroiled in a bitter battle for Champions League football.

VERDICT: JURY FEST

Alexander Isak (left) has only been available to Eddie Howe (right) for three league games

Marc Cucurella

Brighton to Chelsea – £55m (plus £7m in add-ons)

The tie against Nottingham Forest was Cucurella’s best performance in a Chelsea shirt but overall it has been a difficult task since he was en route to Stamford Bridge.

Cucurella was a star under Graham Potter in Brighton but he’s firmly headed towards 2023.

He obviously hasn’t become a bad player overnight, but the full-back’s confidence has looked tarnished at times this season and finding the formula to get him back to his best will be absolutely paramount for Potter.

Hugely disappointing for everyone involved.

VERDICT: YOUNG LADY

Marc Cucurella (left) hasn’t looked back since following Graham Potter to Chelsea

Erling Haland

Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City – £51m

Full points. best in class. A one across the board.

Erling Haaland has been absolutely magnificent for Manchester City and is walking away with the Premier League Golden Boot.

The Norwegian already has 21 goals in the Premier League this season and 27 in all competitions through early January.

Given the prices of those above him in this list, £51m seems like an absolute bargain.

VERDICT: BEAT

Erling Haaland is without a doubt the Premier League’s player of the season so far

Richardson

Everton to Tottenham – £50m (plus £10m add-ons)

This was a train that was always fascinating to watch.

To be honest, starting the new year without scoring a single Premier League goal is not looking good, even if his minutes are behind Harry Kane.

He showed his poaching instincts and finishing skills at the World Cup as Brazil’s No. 9, but given the price Spurs paid, Richarlison isn’t reaching the heights many fans were hoping for.

In a battle with Dejan Kulusevski to be a starter in the top three alongside Kane and Son Heung-min.

work to do.

VERDICT: JURY IS FIXED

Richarlison has been struggling for consistent minutes but hasn’t really converted his chances yet

Lisandro Martinez

Ajax to Manchester United – £46.8m (plus £8.5m add-ons)

Any critic of the man affectionately known as ‘The Butcher’ could tell, when he arrived in England he was big.

And following United’s straying at Brentford, critics felt vindicated that the smaller Argentine would not cut the mustard in the Premier League.

But he’s responded impressively and has become a really important part of an improving Manchester United.

Fans love him, teammates love him and he has so much to his game that goes beyond the traditional responsibilities of a centre-back.

The world champion has impressively proved to his critics that he belongs at the highest level.

VERDICT: BEAT

Lisandro Martinez’s greatness was questioned but he has since established himself at Man United

Raham Sterling

Manchester City to Chelsea – £50m

It was a mixed bag in London for Raheem Sterling.

He is Chelsea’s top scorer so far this season – albeit with four goals. He scored the Blues’ only goal in the draw at Nottingham Forest.

Sterling is undoubtedly a brilliant player but he still seems to be finding his rhythm at Chelsea, as have many in blue this season.

His goal at Forest saw him achieve 113 goals in 334 games, which matches the tally of former Premier League star Ian Wright. So kudos for that.

VERDICT: JURY IS FIXED

Raheem Sterling is finding his groove at Chelsea but he’s still the Blues’ top scorer this season