Wednesday 2 September 2015 13:47, UK
While there was plenty of drama on Deadline Day, many new summer signings have already had their first taste of Premier League action.
Here, WhoScored.com rank the top five newcomers in August, based on their statistically calculated ratings…
5. Idrissa Gueye (Aston Villa)
Signed from Lille in the summer to help cover for departed former captain Fabian Delph, Idrissa Gana Gueye has made a solid start to life at Aston Villa. Still adjusting to the rigours of the Premier League, the 25-year old has applied himself as many expected and the early signs are encouraging that the midfielder has what it takes to be a hit in England.
A rating of 7.44 from WhoScored.com after four league games is very close to his average score from last season (7.41), and a decent pre-season with the Villans has certainly helped in that regard. Only two players have produced more tackles and interceptions combined this season (29), while averages of 1.5 shots per game, 1.5 key passes per game and two successful dribbles per game highlight Gueye's all-action approach.
4. Yann M'Vila (Sunderland)
Once tipped to establish himself as France's first-choice defensive midfielder - among a glut of talent in that position - Yann M'Vila is yet to fulfil that early promise.
However, his impact this season has been a positive one, with M'Vila playing a key role in the points Sunderland have picked up so far. The Frenchman has secured a WhoScored.com rating of 7.47 in three appearances, with impressive figures of four tackles and 2.7 interceptions per game, while no team-mate has created more chances (five). His superb free-kick against Aston Villa at the weekend showcased M'Vila's undoubted quality and if he can keep his head down then his arrival will likely be key to the Black Cats' hopes of survival.
3. Andre Ayew (Swansea)
Scoring in three of your first four appearances for any club is no mean feat but doing so from a wide berth against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United is all the more impressive. Many labelled Andre Ayew as something of a coup for Swansea and he's proving to be just that having had a direct hand in four league goals already for Garry Monk's side to earn a rating of 7.50 from WhoScored.com.
Cutting in from a starting position from the right for his new club, Ayew has found space in the box with his intelligent movement and looks likely to continue his form in front of goal as a result. The Ghana international is currently averaging 3.3 shots and 1.5 key passes per game but isn't shirking his defensive responsibilities either, with only three team-mates producing more tackles (seven) in the opening month of the season.
2. Cedric Soares (Southampton)
Tasked with replacing the outgoing Nathaniel Clyne, it's fair to say Cedric Soares has made a good early impression on the south coast. The Portuguese has looked an astute acquisition already, particularly impressing in attacking areas.
The 24-year old has created eight chances for team-mates in four appearances, picking up an assist on his debut for the Saints with one of six accurate crosses for the club. Meanwhile he has been busy in the defensive phase too, making more tackles (12) than any team-mate with a further three interceptions per game. A WhoScored.com rating of 7.51 in August was the highest of any Southampton player to feature in all four of their league matches and Soares looks likely to be another more-than-capable replacement picked up by the club in recent seasons.
1. Jordan Amavi (Aston Villa)
The second of Aston Villa's new recruits from France in our top five, young full-back Jordan Amavi has already excited the club's fans this season. Left-back has been a problem position for Villa for many a year and the 21-year old looks set to solve the issue, despite a hairy moment that handed Crystal Palace victory over Tim Sherwood's men a fortnight ago.
Amavi was trying to dribble out from the back and was caught in possession, though the fans are not too concerned given the threat he now provides from deep. The former Nice defender has completed more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League (15) and registered his first assist of the season in the draw with Sunderland at the weekend.
With a further 3.5 tackles and 3.3 interceptions per game his busy displays have been a real highlight early on in the season for Villa, earning him a team-high rating of 7.62 in the process - enough to rank 10th in the league.
