We're only three weeks in to the new Premier League season, but already teams are starting to find consistently in their team selections, and there's already a few players who have nailed down their starting spots.
Some of these players were not believed to make a first-team impact right away, and while most of them were seen as good signings or smart business, there was no big reaction when they were unveiled with the club shirt aside from their own fans, unlike the Schweinsteigers. Firminos, and Sterlings of this World.
The following players were not talked about as the best signings of the summer before the season started, but they have come in, earned a starting place, and instantly made their team better.
Matteo Darmian - Manchester United
When the young Italian was signed from Torino for around £14m, most Manchester United fans had never heard of him. There was even talk of Louis Van Gaal starting Valencia at right-back while Darmian adjusted to the Premier League, but United's #36 has been incredibly impressive so far this season. He looks like he's been playing in the league for years, and made the jump from a mid-table Serie A club to Manchester United look an absolute breeze. Also, the fact that he can actually defend has meant less work for Chris Smalling and that has been huge for the defensive stability of the team.
Joe Gomez - Liverpool
Another one who wouldn't have been known by fans of his new club, the signing of Gomez was a surprise for Liverpool fans, some fans of other clubs even went as far as to mock Liverpool for signing a defender from Charlton. Those rival supporters look properly stupid now as 18 year old Gomez looks like he could be Liveprool's left-back for the next decade with some very mature defensive performances and flashes of lightning pace going forward.
Andre Ayew - Swansea
While most were familiar with Ayew's work for Marseille and Ghana, not much was said about what an excellent signing for Swansea this was. Perhaps it is because Swansea were already doing well, but bringing in an experienced international in the form of Ayew has taken their attacking up a notch, and after walking into the starting XI it's clear that he can cut it in the Premier League.
Shinji Okazaki - Leicester City
One that flew under most people's radar was the signing of Japanese workhorse Shinji Okazaki from Mainz by Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City. His workrate and aerial ability were well celebrated in Germany, but those who don't watch regular Bundesliga football wouldn't have cared about his arrival, but he's already proving a massive hit. Okazaki runs the channels, holds up the ball and brings others, like Riyad Mahrez, into play. A great signing.
Robbie Brady - Norwich
We had to have an Irishman in there, but Brady's arrival at Carrow Road brought about nothing but questions over the price tag. Norwich had to stump up the cash, £9m in total, to bring Brady in, and his well known set-piece ability has been a constant threat for the Canaries. Robbie Brady seems to be relishing his switch from winger to full-back as he has gone from strength to strength since his poor performance for Ireland against Poland, and a good start of Norwich will have done wonders for his confidence.
