Premier League January Transfer Signings: Best XI (PART TWO)

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2 years ago

Categories: Galleries, Manchester United News, Transfer News

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Following on from looking at the goalkeeper and defenders in our January transfer best XI last week, we now move to the midfielders and forwards.

Bringing in a player who can hit the ground running midway through the season isn’t always easy but there are some that have made an immediate impact in English football.

Not all of the stars we have listed were overnight success stories but they did go on to have great careers at their respective teams.

Press the next page as we complete our lineup for our best Premier League XI from signings made in January.

Bruno Fernandes – CM – (Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United – £67.6m -2020)

The Portuguese international scored an impressive 12 goals and eight assists in 22 appearances during the second half of the 2019/20 season after his arrival at Old Trafford.

Fernandes’s form carried over into his first full campaign, scoring an incredible 28 times in all competitions, helping United to a second-place finish and a Europa League final. His performances have, though, dipped somewhat this season.

Nemanja Matic – CM – (Benfica to Chelsea – £21m – 2014)

The Serbian international was pretty much an instant success when he arrived at Stamford Bridge, winning his first league title within eighteen months.

Matic went on to secure his second Premier League in 2017 before leaving for Manchester United, in a deal worth almost double what the Blues paid for him.

Wilfried Ndidi – CM – (Genk to Leicester – £17m – 2017)

The Nigerian was a player in demand after impressing in the Belgian Pro League for Genk, but the Foxes were the ones who managed to snap up the midfielder.

Ndidi has been a mainstay of Leicester’s midfield over the last five seasons, helping to win the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

Riyad Mahrez – RW – (Le Harve to Leicester – £450,000 – 2014)

Probably one of the bargains of the 21st century, the Algerian was picked out of obscurity from French football, initially helping the Foxes to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Mahrez was named PFA Player of the Year in 2016 after playing a key role in Leicester’s remarkable title win before moving to Manchester City for £60m in 2018.

Luis Suarez – CF – (Ajax to Liverpool – £22.8m – 2011)

Liverpool got themselves a gem when they signed the Uruguayan from Ajax. It’s always a risk when bringing in players from Dutch football, but it was clear very early on that Suarez was going to be a star.

The striker was a very controversial figure, to say the least, but you can’t deny he had ability, scoring 82 goals in 133 appearances for the Reds.

Philippe Coutinho – LW – (Inter Milan to Liverpool – £8.5m – 2013)

The Brazilian spent five impressive years at Anfield. His vision and ability to score long-range goals led to him being nicknamed the “Little Magician” by Liverpool supporters.

Coutinho would later be sold to Barcelona for a staggering £142m (including add-ons) but he has since returned for a loan spell in the Premier League with Aston Villa.