The top five Premier League signings of the summer

The beginning of the Premier League season has seen a number of new additions strut their stuff.

And in a summer when midfielders demanded the biggest transfer fees, it is perhaps no surprise that the majority of the signings we judge to be the best play in the centre of the park.

Creativity, set-pieces and goals — these five players have shown it all for their new clubs so far in 2023-24.

Declan Rice

Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice have all breached the £100million transfer fee mark in 2023 but the latter is the only one to have justified it so quickly.

The England international has restored control to an Arsenal side that lost their way during the 2022-23 run-in, anchoring the team with the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League.

He has won the ball back in the middle third more than any Gunner and scored a crucial goal against Manchester United, proving his worth in attack as well as defence.

James Ward-Prowse

West Ham have used the Rice money wisely, signing the dependable James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.

The England international has been everything the Hammers would have hoped for and more, not only providing superb set-piece delivery but upping his game from open play.

He leads the way for big chances created among Premier League central midfielders and has set up three goals, laying on another three in two Europa League outings.

Dominik Szoboszlai

The Liverpool No8 shirt can weigh heavy but Dominik Szoboszlai is leaning into comparisons to Steven Gerrard rather than letting them intimidate him.

The Hungarian's long-distance shooting is certainly reminiscent of the Reds icon — the goal against Leicester in the Carabao Cup rasping into the net like a Gerrard classic.

And only Eberechi Eze has created more chances than Szoboszlai of all Premier League central midfielders, so the assists will soon start racking up, too.

James Maddison

James Maddison probably takes the Premier League signing of the season award so far.

The attacking midfielder is a perfect fit for Ange Postecoglou's style of play at Tottenham, always driving his side forward and taking the creative option.

His output of two goals and five assists from eight games is a superb return for what was reported to be a £40m transfer — with the recent assists against Arsenal and Luton particularly eye-catching.

Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa have gone up a gear with Moussa Diaby in their frontline.

The Frenchman was at it from day one of the campaign, scoring within 11 minutes of his debut at Newcastle, and has been a constant threat since.

He ranks second for shots, take-ons and chances created in the Villa squad, playing a key role in their rise to being the third-highest scorers in the division.