As the season has ended, the time has come to review the season in greater detail. The Premier League finds news gems in the transfer market every year, but who were the best this season?
10. James Maddison
Maddison is one of those players who arrives at the perfect moment and is immediately missed from the first minute when they are not in the line-up. Tottenham was in a dire situation after Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich – desperately needing a creative soul to lead their counter-attacks.
This spirit was found in James Maddison, who was greatly missed during his injury. He has brought much-needed inspiration and creativity to Tottenham’s midfield, filling a void that had existed for years.
9. Dominik Szoboszlai
There are not many goals for the Hungarian, but there also aren’t many better marriages than between Szoboszlai and Liverpool. Klopp’s philosophy embodied in one player – this is what the ex-RB Leipzig star represents.
Szoboszlai arrived for £50 million and has become the heart and soul of the team. At a time when both the midfield and the attack lacked dynamism, he was the one to bring the needed spirit. While Jota, Diaz, and Darwin Núñez struggled this season, he provided vital support. He is one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers in the attacking half – making it impossible not to include him.
8. Declan Rice
Declan Rice was one of the biggest names on the market, with West Ham reluctant to let the Englishman leave. However, the deal was sealed for £90 million, and it has proven to be a high-reward investment.
Rice has completely revolutionized his role under Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. He has been important going forward and breaking down deep defensive blocks. His interceptions allowed Arsenal to push further up the pitch, instilling confidence in his teammates.
Big expectations came with his transfer, and Rice has not only met them but even exceeded them. It was widely anticipated that this was a match made in heaven, and this season confirmed it.
7. Pau Torres
When Emery stepped down from Villarreal to join the Premier League, he was promised more funds for transfers and it was widely known he would bring players from Spain with him. One such player is Pau Torres, who has played most of the games – and with good reason.
Pau Torres has been rock solid throughout the season but rarely mentioned in discussions about the best transfers. He arrived for £45 million from Villarreal, and Aston Villa’s defensive performance is partly thanks to his brilliance, working as a great passer and calmly navigating the season.
6. Joško Gvardiol
This one might be a bit more controversial, given the high transfer fee of £100 million for a non-attacker. The ex-RB Leipzig defender initially struggled to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s tactical instructions, but in the last few months, he proved to be the perfect fit.
Capable of alternating between center-back and left-back, the Croatian star has established himself as one of the league’s best defenders. His unique sense of anticipation and well-timed aggression often keep attackers at bay, shutting down multiple threats before they develop.
Despite critics questioning his £100 million price tag, there is no doubt that he was worth the investment. Gvardiol is the type of player who could stay at the club for many years.
5. João Pedro
The Brazilian joined Brighton from Watford and instantly became one of the team’s best players at the young age of twenty-two. Unfortunately, De Zerbi’s team suffered many injuries, but João Pedro kept scoring. In thirty games, he scored nine goals and assisted on three occasions. He has led the forward line in the absence of Mitoma, who was injured.
Playing for Brighton as a forward is not easy given the team’s struggles, including an unreliable defense and numerous missing key players. Nonetheless, João Pedro stepped up and was also essential in the Europa League – single-handedly winning games for the club. There is no doubt that the £32 million spent on him was worth it.
4. Jarrad Branthwaite
Although technically not a transfer, Branthwaite’s return has been one of Everton’s most important improvements of the season. Having returned from a successful loan spell at PSV, his impact has been immense.
The defender has been frequently linked by British media to clubs of elite clubs, including Manchester United. Branthwaite has certainly grown a lot under the guidance of Sean Dyche, a fanatic of deep-blocks. It is in these defensive setups that defenders with high concentration are best tested – and he passed the exam with flying colors. Whether Everton can keep him, though, is another question entirely.
3. Mohammed Kudus
Kudus may not come from a top-six team, but his impact is undeniable. Transferred for £40 million from Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam, Kudus has become the main star in West Ham’s offensive lineup. It was rather surprising that no other club fought for his transfer, and no one at West Ham has complained about the £40 million investment.
This has been among the best uses of £40 million in the Premier League during the 2023/24 season. He is clearly adored by the club – he played almost 2,500 minutes this season. Kudus scored eight goals and provided six assists, which shows how important he is in the team’s offensive dynamics.
2. Jeremy Doku
Undoubtedly, the Belgian forward has been one of the season’s standout performers. Although there were doubts about his style potentially clashing with Pep Guardiola’s famous positional play, he proved to be the dose of unpredictability the Citizens needed to introduce a new ‘X’ factor.
While it is undeniable that Foden has been the star of the season, many crucial points were saved by Doku, who often exploited holes in the opposition’s defenses. He is the only player of that style since Sané and Sterling left, and it is fair to say that he has adapted well, which is not always easy when switching leagues.
1.Cole Palmer
While his environment might not have been the best, Cole Palmer is undoubtedly one of the best transfers of the season. Chelsea struggled throughout the season but avoided a catastrophic finish.
When everything looked bleak, Cole Palmer consistently stepped up. In forty-five games, the Englishman scored twenty-five and provided fifteen assists. These figures are impressive on their own, but achieving them in a shaky team like Chelsea makes it even more remarkable. Additionally, it’s important to remember that Palmer is still in his early 20s, meaning that his best is yet to come.
