2025-26 Premier League the season reaches the halfway point with Gameweek 19 (December 30 and January 1), and the story so far has been one of surprises: Aston Villa And Sunderland exceeding expectations and long-standing leading clubs such as West Ham United And Wolverhampton Wanderers threatened with relegation.
But what about the players? Some have failed to reach the heights and live up to their pre-season expectations, although there are plenty of Premier League players who have caught the eye by showing unexpected levels of consistency and top-level play since joining new teams in the summer.
With the January transfer window opening on New Year's Day, here are the summer signings who prove that smart player selection can really pay off if deals can be secured for the right players.
The Sunderland captain may have been a new signing this season because of the impact he has had on the newly promoted side following an initial £13m move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka, 33, brings proven experience of the highest level and quality that has seen him win the 2023/24 season. Bundesliga with Leverkusen after seven years Arsenal. Sunderland remain a young, developing team under coach Regis Le Bris, but Xhaka helped tie everything together and the team Switzerland the midfielder was a crucial addition.
When Arsenal signed Madueke for £48.5m ChelseaThis sparked an angry reaction from Gunners fans and led to more than 4,000 people signing an online petition #NoToMadueke. Even though Madueke was the eldest England The England international, who won major trophies with Chelsea, has divided the Arsenal fan base since his arrival.
The 23-year-old has since silenced those critics with a series of impressive performances and goals for the club, including amazing long shot V UEFA Champions League win Club Bruges. Madueke has shown himself to be a capable MP Bukayo Saka and has proven his worth to Mikel Arteta's side.
When Bournemouth are down Milos Kerkez To Liverpool The Cherries were quickly replaced in a £40m transfer this summer Hungary walked back with an initial £11.4 million deal with Rennes for Truffert. The 24-year-old player who plays for France in 2022, he was a key figure in the team that won the silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, meaning he arrived at the Vitality Stadium with a rich history.
Because Kerkez had such an impact on Andoni Iraola's team, Truffert had to prove that he was an adequate replacement. But in his short time at the club he has already achieved this, becoming one of the standout defenders of the season.
Robin Rowfsgoalkeeper, Sunderland
The Sunderland shot-stopper was one of the finds of the season as he joined the Black Cats for an initial £9m from the Dutch outfit. NEC Nijmegen in August.
Just 22, Roofes has shown incredible calm and maturity in his first season in the Premier League, recording six clean sheets as of Tuesday. Roofs has yet to make his senior debut. Netherlands after winning 11 caps for the under-21 side, he received his first call-up in August and looks set to be on the pitch soon. Ronald Koemanhis World Cup squad if he maintains his form and fitness.
– Schoenfeld: How Sunderland's magnificent return to the Premier League revived an entire city
– O'Hanlon: How much is each position actually worth in the Premier League?
– Various: Transfer window overview: what do Europe's big clubs need?
Despite moving to Newcastle from WSE Stuttgart for £69 million, Waltemade arrived at St James' Park as something of an unknown quantity. The 23-year-old also had to bear the burden of being replaced Alexander Isakfollowing Isak's £130 million move to Liverpool, although he knew he might have been Newcastle's sixth choice.
Waltemade joins Newcastle after failed transfer John Pedro, Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesco, Brian Mbeumo And Matheus Cunha. But he has enjoyed great success for Eddie Howe's side, scoring eight goals on Tuesday and adapting instantly to the demands of the Premier League.
Manchester United were desperate for a new goalkeeper this summer and went to great lengths to sign one. Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma and Aston Villa Emiliano Martinez. But since Donnarumma proved too expensive, Italy No. 1 eventually joined him. Manchester City – and United turned down an equally expensive package to sign Martinez, the club struck an £18.2 million deal with Royal Antwerp's Lammens.
The 23-year-old has been declared United's “man of the future” but has since replaced the error-prone player Altai Baindyr in September he featured regularly for Ruben Amorim's side and justified the club's decision to prioritize potential over experience.
1:49
Why Manchester United players should replace Fernandes
Don Hutchison explains why he believes Bruno Fernandes' absence due to injury is an opportunity for players to move to Manchester United.
The Everton midfielder has quickly become a central figure for David Moyes' side after ending a difficult one-year spell at Chelsea with a £29 million move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Dewsbury-Hall's highlight for Everton was his impressive goal in the 1-0 win over Manchester United. His performances have attracted interest from Ireland, who are willing to offer the English-born player a route into international competition due to his Irish heritage.
The Brentford defender was signed on a permanent basis this summer after joining on loan from Fiorentina in the second half of last season and established himself as a key figure in Keith Andrews' team.
Kayode's long throw-ins are one of the reasons for his importance to Brentford – the 21-year-old has mastered the ability to shoot long, low and fast – but his athleticism on the right wing has also made him a standout player.
WITH Italy Kayode, who faces a tough road to the World Cup via the UEFA play-offs in March, could still earn a first call-up to the Azzurri squad after winning eight caps for the under-21 side.
Before injuries derailed his Everton career, Calvert-Lewin was the subject of speculation linking him with a £50m move to Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and even real Madrid due to former Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti's continued admiration for the former England centre-forward. But after leaving Everton as a free agent in the summer, Calvert-Lewin signed with Leeds ahead of the season in a bid to restart his career.
The 28-year-old has since rediscovered his best form and sparked rumors of an England recall. He scored eight Premier League goals in 16 appearances.
The former Liverpool captain spent two years away from the Premier League following unsuccessful transfers. Saudi Professional League He played for Al Ettifaqa and fallen Dutch giants Ajax, so his return to England with Brentford came as a surprise. But the 35-year-old has missed just one league game for the Bees so far and has emerged as one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League.
Henderson returned to the England squad after a two-year absence in March, so he has an outside chance of getting into Thomas Tuchel's World Cup party if he continues to play for his club.
