Following less spending during the 2020/21 season, Premier League clubs have increased their transfer outlay for the 2021/22 season. Several high-profile transfers have been completed this summer as teams at the top of the Premier League look to gain an edge over their title rivals.
Some of the biggest transfers in the 2021/22 season include Jack Grealish’s £100 million move from Aston Villa to champions Man City. Chelsea also spent £100 million to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan. Manchester United have bolstered their squad with marquee signings Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane and this heavy investment of talent has fans keen on Premier League Betting thinking that they just might be the catalyst to propel United into title contention.
But who will be a great success for their new club this season? Will these signings return the cost each club has outlaid and provide the added boost needed for a successful season?
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish is a unique talent, and his development has been closely monitored by top clubs for years. After breaking through the Aston Villa academy and impressing in the Championship, Grealish’s stock only rose after maintaining his high standards in the Premier League over the past two seasons. Overall, the 25-year-old made 43 assists and scored 32 goals during 213 appearances for Villa.
Grealish was Villa’s talisman, but he may find himself adapting to a different tole at City. His direct approach play and tricky footwork may need to make way for sharper passing and decoy runs as he blends to life under Pep Guardiola.
The England midfielder has already started City’s first two Premier League matches and scored in the 5-0 win against Norwich. He is likely to create and receive further scoring opportunities throughout the season, and his arrival only adds to the sensational depth at the Etihad already.
Grealish’s 2020/21 season was curtailed by injury, which kept him out for most of the run-in at Villa. However, if he can avoid injuries this season, he is likely to become a key player at City and his goalscoring and assist stats should rise this season.
Romelu Lukaku
Chelsea became one of the most consistent teams in the Premier League after Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in late January. The Blues quickly developed into a resilient side, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding just two goals in Tuchel’s first 10 Premier League matches.
Although an unbreakable rear-guard gave Chelsea solid foundations and a new-found togetherness, which led to a top-four finish, an FA Cup final and Champions League victory, there was only one element missing; goals.
Chelsea were among the lowest scorers in the top 10 last season with 58 goals. Only Arsenal and Everton scored less in the top half of the Premier League. It was no surprise that Chelsea were linked with their former striker Romelu Lukaku throughout the transfer window.
The West London club landed their attacking target in mid-August, and Lukaku has already shown an eye for goal, scoring on his debut in Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Arsenal.
The Belgian striker looks capable of hitting the ground running, and he has all the credentials to carry his form for Inter Milan last season to the Premier League. Lukaku scored 30 goals in all competitions in the 2020/21 campaign, more than double Timo Werner’s 12 strikes in all competitions.
Lukaku also knows the Premier League and had previous success in the league. He already has 113 top-flight goals following spells with West Brom, Everton and Man United before moving to Italy in 2019. Such proven experience is bound to help Chelsea’s push for the Premier League title and adds more depth to Tuchel’s squad. Lukaku’s presence may also prove invaluable for young strikers, like Timo Werner, providing tougher competition. Having been brought on at the weekend against local rival Arsenal, Lukaku is already off to a compelling start by proving to be too much for the Gunners to handle in their 2-0 defeat.
Jadon Sancho
England forward Jadon Sancho was linked with United in the past two transfer windows, so it was no surprise when the Red Devils got their man in July for £73 million.
Sancho impressed during his four seasons in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. He left the club with 54 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances. The 21-year-old also has three years of invaluable Champions League experience, and he made five-goal contributions in six matches in Europe last season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær will hope Sancho can quickly find his feet in the Premier League. Undoubtedly, Sancho will take time to adapt to top-flight football, and his introduction to the first team may take time.
There is no doubt that Sancho is a bright talent, fast approaching his peak years. United have signed the England forward at the right time. Experience playing with England and United teammates Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Mason Greenwood, and Harry Maguire will only help his bedding in period.
However, United’s rivals have signed players with proven Premier League potential. The club may have to remain patient before seeing how much impact Sancho can have on the Red Devil’s success this season.
