Premier League transfers nobody shouted about — but could define the season
Everton's Jack Grealish celebrates with the fans. Pic: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Bournemouth’s backline was gutted over the summer. Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi all departed for pastures new, while Kepa returned to Chelsea before completing his switch to Arsenal. The latter shone between the sticks on the south coast and while the Cherries will have wanted to retain the Spaniard’s services, fact is they have upgraded in goal.
Chelsea were prepared to sanction Djordje Petrovic’s move to the Vitality Stadium even after the Serb enjoyed a fine season at Strasbourg. Indeed, Petrovic was widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in Ligue 1, and many at the club had hoped the 25-year-old would return to Stamford Bridge as first choice in west London.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca was happy to continue with Robert Sanchez, despite his shortcomings, with Petrovic knowing he needed to leave to garner regular game time. Despite Bournemouth’s departures, they’ve made a solid start to the campaign, most recently beating Tottenham 1-0 in north London.
Petrovic, meanwhile, is one of only seven goalkeepers to have kept multiple clean sheets in the opening three matches. As the Cherries look to build upon a ninth-placed finish, the Serbia international could prove their most important addition.
Inexperience ultimately proved costly to the relegated sides last season, and is something that Sunderland evidently took note of. The Black Cats have splashed the cash this summer in a bid to keep their head above water, with the capture of Granit Xhaka undoubtedly the crucial signing.
Xhaka returned to England after a two-year spell with Bayer Leverkusen, and his importance to the side was immediate in that Regis Le Bris instilled the Switzerland international as captain.
Le Bris is undergoing his debut Premier League season, and needs the experience of a midfielder of Xhaka’s ilk to lean on as Sunderland seek to avoid dropping straight back into the Championship.
The 32-year-old proved his worth at the weekend as he provided a late assist for Wilson Isidor’s strike in the 2-1 home win over Brentford, and it’s these clutch moments that’ll aid Sunderland’s quest to retain their Premier League status.
In this inexperienced Black Cats side, Xhaka is the one that teammates will look to when the going gets tough. Keep him fit for the duration of the season, and Sunderland’s survival chances increase significantly.
Losing Eberechi Eze was a blow for Crystal Palace, though there was an air of inevitability behind his exit.
The issue for the Eagles was always going to be replacing the England international, who scored eight goals and provided eight assists in the Premier League last season. In Yeremy Pino, however, Palace have bagged themselves a bargain.
Pino bowed out at Villarreal on a high, providing an assist in the Yellow Submarine’s 5-0 win over Girona, and he put in a solid showing off the bench in Palace’s 3-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday night.
Marc Guehi was the star of the show at Villa Park, yet Pino looked bright off the bench to give a glimpse of what is to come in south London.
Whether he can replicate Eze’s exploits in south London remains to be seen – the now-Arsenal star vital as Palace secured their first piece of major silverware back in May – but that Pino was handed the number 10 shirt at Selhurst Park speaks of the confidence the club has in following in the former’s footsteps.
In one of the two supporting roles behind striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, the 22-year-old should thrive as Palace look to quickly move on from Eze.
Tottenham needed a ball winning central midfielder in the summer window, that much was obvious. Spurs conceded the fifth most goals in the Premier League last season (65) and were so often carved apart in transition.
And while fans had hoped for a marquee addition in the form of Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba, the loan signing of Joao Palhinha is an astute piece of business for Spurs.
Even having spent a season in the Bundesliga, Palhinha still ranks third for total tackles (306) since the start of the 2022/23 Premier League season, with his ability to win possession with ease undoubtedly the 30-year-old’s stand out trait. Joining temporarily, albeit with an option to make it permanent, gives the club breathing space in the midfielder market.
Palhinha’s main shortcoming is that he won’t look to progress the ball as frequently as some hope. It’s part of the reason why he struggled to succeed at Bayern Munich.
Yet he’s a monster of a ball winner that’ll provide an additional layer of protection that was so often found wanting at Spurs under Ange Postecoglou last season. Against the Premier League’s big hitters, Palhinha will justify the decision to secure his services.
Upon their Premier League return, Burnley have been dealt a tough hand. They have already faced Tottenham and Manchester United away from home, and welcome Liverpool to Turf Moor after the international break.
The Clarets have conceded more shots (51) than any other team in the opening three matches, and need solidifying if they are to beat the drop.
The loan signing of Florentino Luis, then, is a masterstroke. Burnley have already bolstered in the middle of the park with the addition of Lesley Ugochukwu but the arrival of Florentino strengthens the Clarets in a key area further.
The 26-year-old is a ball winning machine having put up averages of 3.7 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per 90 in Liga Portugal last season, this despite playing for a Benfica side that returned the third most possession (58.3%).
Florentino won’t offer much in the final third but considering Burnley rank joint-bottom for possession (37.7%), Scott Parker will demand the basics from the Portuguese midfielder.
Indeed, he’s a fine defensive shield that’ll vastly improve Burnley’s survival chances given his desire to go in hunt of possession. If the Clarets stay up, Florentino’s signing is likely to be why.
Only Dwight McNeil (6) has registered more assists than Jack Grealish (4) for Everton since the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
What’s remarkable is Grealish has made just three appearances for the Toffees since joining on loan from Manchester City. Everton pulled off a coup in securing the 29-year-old’s services, and he’s quickly adjusted to David Moyes’ demands.
In a World Cup year, Grealish needs regular minutes to force his way back into the England setup and he’s quickly shown just why he was once considered one of the best creators in the division having made a sprint start to life on Merseyside.
Everton ranked fourth bottom for key passes per game (7.8) in the Premier League last season, yet the capture of Grealish will see that number rise exponentially.
Operating as Everton’s creator-in-chief, Grealish should thrive at the Hill Dickinson Stadium provided he can remain injury free for the campaign.
He brings that spark that had previously been found wanting at the club, while the Toffees have landed a player who’ll immediately become a cult hero among the fervent fanbase. He’s a signing worthy of Everton’s new home.
