Best signings of the 2020 summer window

The chaos is over. We can turn our attention back to the football once again with the transfer window now firmly closed. Before we forget what’s happened completely, here is my look at the best signings of the 2020 summer window with Football Index firmly in mind.

Number 5. Sergino Dest, £1.50

Forget his terrible unveiling where he struggled to do a few keepie-uppies in front of the cameras at the Nou Camp. Sergino Dest can play. Dest, 19, had long been linked with a move to Europe’s top five leagues but there were question marks whether it would happen this window or not. For those who hold him, the big bonus they’ve got is that he’s just traded the Eredivisie for La Liga.

That means his PB potential has just gone from next to nothing to, well, something at least. He has only played 15 minutes in a Barca shirt but a 100% pass success rate from 11 passes including one long ball and one key pass is a decent marker. He’s attack minded and will undoubtedly weigh in with a few goals and assists in addition to plenty of crosses and chance creations.

Number 4. Wylan Cyprien, £1.44

I almost couldn’t believe it when the news broke that Cyprien had joined Parma. He’d been linked with much bigger clubs throughout the last few months. His holders shouldn’t care though because all it means is that he’ll be the star man for Fabio Liverani’s men. 25-year-old Cyprien is a box-to-box midfielder who you can expect to post some pretty decent PB scores in Serie A.

In 2019/20 he notched seven goals and provided three assists for his teammates in 20 Ligue 1 matches. He also averaged 1.9 key passes and 2.9 shots per 90 whilst boasting a near 88% pass completion as he won a top midfielder and star player PB award. Those numbers are far from out of character for Cyprien. His destination might have caused his move to go under the radar but I’m tipping him to be one of the best signings of the 2020 summer window.

Number 3. Achraf Hakimi, £3.51

I’m in no position to judge but Zinedine Zidane has a few questions hanging over him as far as I’m concerned despite his growing list of managerial honours. Achraf Hakimi, 21, being sold to Inter Milan after his displays whilst on loan at Borussia Dortmund is just one example of why I have my doubts. Last season he had a goal involvement every 180 minutes in the shape of nine goals and 10 assists.

Everything pointed towards him delivering the goods again this season. He’s already proving it too with a goal and two assists from three Serie A games. Any holders will already have seen a return on their investment with Hakimi having scooped a top defender award in just his second Inter appearance. That’s right, he’s classed as a defender! Real’s loss is Inter’s gain. It can be yours too.

Number 2. Gareth Bale, £2.66

I’ve already touched on Zidane but he can’t shoulder 100% of the blame for the Gareth Bale saga. He certainly could have handled it better though. The result has seen Bale return to Tottenham with Real paying the lion’s share of his wages. There were doubts over whether or not Bale would remain in one of Europe’s top five leagues. The US and China had also been rumoured as possible destinations whilst sitting in the stands at the Bernabeu wasn’t completely out of the question. That uncertainty means some traders probably picked him under his true benchmark.

Bale is expected back in action after the international break. Given how deadly Jose Mourinho’s side have looked, you wouldn’t bet against Bale bursting back onto the scene. Even if he doesn’t compete for PB wins, any form of performance from him will have him in contention for media wins.

Number 1. James Rodriguez, £2.32

There has never been any doubting the quality of James Rodriguez. He’s had his issues over the years be it injuries or simply struggling for game time. What you need to remember though is that being a permanent fixture in an Everton side is somewhat more likely than holding down a starting spot at Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

The creative Colombian has begun to show his worth already. He has turned in some sparkling performances in Everton’s opening games that have seen him score three and lay on a further two goals whilst his pass completion of 87% is strong. The 29-year-old’s PB average from four games this season is 212 with a low score of a very impressive 161. Carlo Ancelotti knows how to get a tune from Rodriguez. I’ll bet you now that he adds to his top midfield and star player PB wins before 2020 is out.

There you have it, the best signings of the 2020 summer transfer window – with a Football Index twist.