While Manchester United's new boys, such as Andre Onana and Mason Mount, have been far from convincing in the first two months of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, a few players who moved clubs within England or joined the country's top division in the recent transfer window have hit the ground running! Nobody at the start of the season would have imagined Tottenham Hotspur occupying first place on the English top-flight table going into the October international break, something for which the Lilywhites largely have James Maddison to thank! His teammate, Micky van de Ven, has received less plaudits but has arguably been just as impressive, while Declan Rice continues to prove Arsenal made no mistake in spending £100 million (R2.3 billion) on his signature! Here are Soccer Laduma senior writer Kurt Buckerfield's five best signings of the EPL campaign so far…
James Maddison
For a player still hoping to kick-start his international career, the 26-yearold creative midfielder must be feeling remarkably chuffed with his form since switching Leicester City for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year. Maddison joined the north Londoners in a deal worth £40 million (R943 million) after the Foxes' relegation from the Premier League, and has already established himself among the team's leadership group under Australian manager Ange Postecoglou. The former Celtic boss wasted no time in appointing the player as a vice-captain, alongside Cristian Romero, to Heung-min Son, recognising that Maddison is growing into a footballer who wants responsibility on the field. The four-time England international has consistently put his hand up since August, rising to occasion after occasion with big contributions in crucial moments! In his eight appearances so far for the club, the midfielder has played a hand in seven goals, with only Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Pedro Neto having matched him for assists (five) so far. As things stand, Postecoglou will be delighted that his unbeaten Spurs have gone into this international break at the top of the table, and that the faith he showed in Maddison is paying off this early into the campaign.
James Ward-Prowse
Following his years of high levels of service to Southampton since he was a teenager coming through the club's famous academy, it wasn't surprising when West Ham United identified the experienced 28-year-old as a potential replacement for Declan Rice. While finding a Hammers fan who would openly state they are happier with Ward-Prowse than they were when Rice was at the heart of their midfield would be almost impossible, it has got to be said: Ward-Prowse has made his predecessor's departure a non-issue! The dead-ball specialist is currently playing some of the best football of his career in London, having already contributed to nine goals in his first 10 appearances for the club, who are seventh on the table after eight matches. His signature cost £30 million (R707 million), a hefty fee considering he was signed from a team in the EFL Championship, but he is showing that perhaps he has been undervalued by observers for too long. Still, however, no matter how well he is performing for West Ham at the moment, England manager Gareth Southgate has continued to overlook him for selection, with the 53-year-old still showing loyalty to the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson.
Declan Rice
It is a real sign of the times that not all footballers signed for close to or upwards of £100 million (R2.3 billion) are guaranteed to do well, but Rice was never going to be included in that conversation. The 24-year-old is appearing right at home at the Gunners following his big-money arrival from West Ham, with his showing in his side's 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday his latest eye-catching performance! While Rice might be looking to contribute to more goals as the season goes on, it was written in the stars that his first strike for Arsenal, an added-time effort against Manchester United, helped inspire his teammates to a memorable victory in one of the Premier League's oldest and fiercest derbies. Many believed Mikel Arteta's men needed bigger personalities in the dressing room to usurp Manchester City in England, and it seems Rice could be just the man who proves to be the difference between the side falling agonisingly short like last season and going all the way. The former Hammer is also playing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in his career, a tournament he will undoubtedly feel comfortable in given his international experience.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Many followers of European football would have heard of Dominik Szoboszlai prior to his £60 million (R1.4 billion) transfer from RB Leipzig to Liverpool in the window at the start of the campaign, perhaps for his rocket of a right foot, often shown off best when striking free-kicks from range, but few would have anticipated the 22-year-old's impressive efforts off the ball! Szoboszlai, a player blessed with stylish hair and model good looks, has shown himself as someone who isn't above putting in a shift for the benefit of the collective. Having scored just twice in his first 11 appearances for the Reds, supporters can expect to see Szoboszlai quickly establish himself as one of Jurgen Klopp's most important players as the German tactician looks to compete with teams such as City and Arsenal for the Premier League title. The soon-to-be 23-year-old has created 17 chances for his teammates in league football already this season, while he has won nine tackles and made seven successful blocks on shots from opponents in what are promising signs from a player looking to follow in Steven Gerrard's footsteps at one of England's most iconic clubs.
Micky van de Ven
While his performances have gone under the radar, perhaps due to his quiet and humble nature, Spurs' Dutch centre-back right now looks like one of the biggest bargains of the most recent transfer window. The 22-year-old, who has not yet made a senior appearance for the Netherlands, has started and completed all of the Lilywhites' eight Premier League matches this term, helping the team keep three clean sheets and putting in impressive displays in a 2-0 win over Manchester United, a 2-2 draw with Arsenal and a 2-1 win over Liverpool! Van de Ven, who scored the winning goal for 10-man Spurs in their 1-0 victory over Luton Town this past weekend, was signed for just £34 million (R802 million) from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, whom he represented for two seasons after originally progressing through Volendam's youth system back home. The tall, left-footed defender has immediately earned comparisons to ex-Spurs player Jan Vertonghen, who played for the club between 2012 and 2020, but hopefully the promising ball-playing centre-back will one day leave the club having added to the trophy cabinet. Fans will feel the team is certainly heading in the right direction!
