28th April was supposed to be an iconic date for football fans, as the UEFA Champions League semifinal games were scheduled for Tuesday. Instead, the coronavirus crisis put a halt to all sporting actions, and the threat looms large on the transfer window as well.
With no confirmed dates when the current season will finish, it is widely expected that the transfer dealings for the upcoming season will have to wait.
With that said, we can utilize this current break in football to analyze the signings made by clubs in the 2019 transfer windows, and how those players have fared so far.
Here are 5 players who have hit the ground running with their new teams:
5) Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Arguably the revelation of 2019-20, Erling Haaland’s success story has been a major talking point this season. He is the only player who moved in January and, was still able to find a place on this list.
Haaland starred for Red Bull Salzburg, and soon Borussia Dortmund came calling for his services.
The 19-year-old has been in red-hot form since moving to Germany, hitting a hat-trick on his first appearance at the Westfalenstadion.
Seven more goals would follow in the Bundesliga, and he scored two more against Paris Saint-Germain, in the Champions League, taking his tally to ten goals this term.
Keeping the numbers aside, Haaland is a ruthless finisher and looks like Dortmund may have found their successor to Robert Lewandowski.
4) Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Harry Maguire broke out at Leicester City and became the most expensive central defender when Manchester United shelled out €87m to sign him ahead of the 2019-20 season.
While the Reds were ridiculed for spending so much, Maguire would soon prove to be value for money, as he leads the way for duels won, aerial duels won, blocks and interceptions among all of United’s defenders.
Moreover, in the absence of Paul Pogba, the English defender has been named club captain, in his first season, which really speaks volumes about how highly he’s regarded at the Old Trafford.
Maguire, along with fellow new signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been instrumental in the Red Devils’ renaissance this term.
3) Rodri (Manchester City)
Manchester City finally got their hands on Fernandinho’s successor when they snapped up Rodri from Atletico Madrid, for a fee of €70m.
The Spaniard has helped deputise in central midfield, given Fernandinho has spent much of the 2019-20 season, filling in as a centre-back.
Rodri though has adapted to life in the Premier League extremely well, and he’s looked right at home, in Pep Guardiola’s system.
He has attempted more passes (1,996) has a supreme passing accuracy of 92% while he also leads the way for most recoveries (181) among all of City’s midfielders. The 23-year-old with his age and talent looks like a future superstar.
2) Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
One particular player who has been a key figure in Antonio Conte’s revolution at Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku looks like a man reborn since moving to the San Siro.
While his time at Manchester United can be called a success of sorts, judging by the current trend, the Belgian striker looks set to break a handful of records with the Nerazzurri.
Lukaku joined the ranks of Milan after a €65m move from United, and he has since scored 23 goals across all competitions. Add to that his tally of five assists and the 26-year-old looks like a smart piece of business already, from Inter Milan’s perspective.
His partnership with Lautaro Martinez has been a phenomenal one, helping Inter challenge Juventus for the Serie A title, this term.
1) Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
Since losing Neymar to PSG, Barcelona’s recruitment has been dubious, but they pulled off a major coup while securing the services of Ajax sensation Frenkie de Jong.
So much so, that his fee of €75m, is already looking like a bargain.
While stats-wise, the youngster has just one goal and two assists to show, it’s his all-round ability that has impressed experts the most.
A versatile player, renowned for his vision and passing, De Jong has created 24 chances this term, more than any other midfielder at Barca.
His passing accuracy of 92% is the highest among all players at the club and the Dutchman is second in the tally of recoveries and interceptions behind Sergio Busquets.
All of this, while playing out of his favoured position and during a tumultuous reign of two managers at Barcelona.
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.com
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