Thursday 1 September 2016 15:42, UK
Thirteen out of 20 Premier League clubs broke their transfer record this summer - but has that money been spent wisely?
Here, with the help of WhoScored.com, we take a closer look at the players arriving in the Premier League for the first time with the pressure of expectation on their shoulders before examining the familiar faces who also went into the record books…
Slimani is an Algerian international who arrives in the Premier League from Portugal's Liga NOS with a lofty and well-deserved reputation. The 28-year old striker was the third player to break Leicester's transfer record this summer - after Mendy and Musa - and will be tasked with forming a front four with the latter, Jamie Vardy and compatriot Mahrez.
The forward became known to the wider public during the 2014 World Cup, scoring twice, and like Vardy has blossomed later in his career than many. He led the Portuguese scoring charts last season with a monumental 27 goals and offers an upgrade on the traditional number nine than the likes of Ulloa given his ability in the air and predatory instinct. Flanked by the pace, skill and industry at Ranieri's disposal, the Foxes certainly mean business following their stunning achievement last time out.
Completing a move from Ligue 1 to join Claude Puel on the south coast, the Saints boss will know all about the qualities of Boufal, who has been monitored by a number of Europe's elite in recent seasons. It's little wonder either, with the Moroccan winger shining in an otherwise relatively unfashionable Lille side. Despite being at the club for just 18 months, the young winger led the charts for les dogues in both goals (14) and assists (10) over the last two seasons.
He ranked just outside the top five in France last season in terms of WhoScored.com ratings (7.56), scoring 11 times from 29 appearances and averaging 4.4 successful dribbles per game - second only to Hatem Ben Arfa, reborn under Puel at Nice. The new Southampton manager will be hoping for a similar impact from Boufal, who also created the fourth most chances in Ligue 1 last season but did display a questionable temperament, receiving 10 yellows and 2 red cards.
Having failed to replace the goal threat of Wilfried Bony last season, with Bafetimbi Gomis flattering to deceive as the club's primary front man, Swansea have looked to Spain for the answer this time around. Fernando Llorente is already underway for the club, offering superb experience and physicality, though Borja Baston is perhaps more of a gamble. While an expensive one at that, if the 24-year old can back up an eye-catching debut, full top-flight campaign he could prove a real hit.
Shipped out on loan for five consecutive seasons, despite posting impressive goalscoring figures in Spain's lower leagues the striker failed to convince Atletico of his worth. Baston notched 18 goals in La Liga for Eibar last time out, following up a tally of 22 from the campaign previous in the Segunda with Zaragoza, and clearly has an eye for goal. He would fall under the poacher category, with 16 of his strikes coming from inside 18-yards and half a dozen inside six, so it will be up to the likes of Sigurdsson and Barrow to ensure he has the requisite ammunition.
While most tend to break transfer records on players capable of firing a club to glory, or the realistic equivalent, Sunderland and David Moyes have opted for a very different route altogether, which perhaps speaks volumes of the priorities of both club and manager. The Black Cats have splashed the cash on young defensive midfielder Ndong, who has proven far more likely of leaving opponents on their seats than getting fans from theirs.
A no-nonsense, destructive midfielder in the middle of the park, Ndong keeps things ticking over, completing more passes than any other Lorient player last season whilst also leading the club for tackles per game (2.8). However, his tenacity can come at a cost having committed the second most fouls in Ligue 1 last season (73), receiving 11 bookings, while the 22-year old was sent off in his final appearance for the French outfit prior to his move to Wearside.
Hornets fans have already had a glimpse of what Roberto Pereyra is capable of, and the former Juventus midfielder can certainly be considered as something of a coup for Walter Mazzarri. The powerful midfielder scored on his Watford debut from the bench against Arsenal ahead of the international break and will hope to impress new Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza to force his way back into the set-up.
While eventually playing something of a bit part role for the Old Lady under Max Allegri, the 25-year old started 36 league games in two Serie A seasons with the Italian champions and proved a strong understudy to a world class starring cast in Turin. His ability to link up play in advanced areas should get the best from the likes of Deeney and Ighalo, completing over 90 per cent of his passes last season, while creating a chance more often (every 21.7 minutes) than any other teammate.
Certainly lacking the glamour of a number of others to break transfer records this summer, Hendrick's capture for a side of Burnley's financial muscle was certainly still significant. The Republic of Ireland international impressed for the Boys in Green in France this summer but in truth will be looking to reignite a club career that fell a little flat last season having shown considerable promise. The 24-year old followed impressive figures of 7 goals and 9 assists from the 2014/15 campaign with just 2 and 3 respectively last season and will be keen to return to his best form.
A hard-working midfielder, more than capable of getting from box-to-box, Hendrick certainly fits the mould that Sean Dyche admires and, along with fellow newcomer Steven Defour, addresses an area of weakness for the Clarets in the middle of the park. The Ireland international will certainly be keen to prove his worth in the top-flight after an underwhelming campaign last time out and he'll need a big season to help Burnley bridge the Joey Barton-sized gap in their midfield.
As well as the Premier League new boys listed above, there were also club-record fees paid for these players who have previously appeared in England's top flight…
Paul Pogba - Manchester United, £93.25m
Pogba was WhoScored.com's highest-rated player in Serie A last season (7.81) - no player registered more assists in Italy's top-flight (12)
Christian Benteke - Crystal Palace, £32m
Benteke won at least 72 more aerial duels than any other player since arriving in the Premier League (822)
Yannick Bolasie - Everton, £28m
Only Eden Hazard has attempted more dribbles than Yannick Bolasie since 2013/14 (528)
Andre Ayew - West Ham, £20.5m
Ayew recorded a career-high of 12 league goals in a season in his debut Premier League campaign
Jordon Ibe - Bournemouth, £15m
Ibe completed a dribble more often than any other Premier League player to make 20+ apps last season (every 19.2 minutes)
Ryan Mason - Hull, £13m
Only Moussa Dembele made a tackle more often for Spurs over the previous two seasons than Ryan Mason (every 28.4 minutes)
Nacer Chadli - West Brom, £13m
Only Harry Kane scored more goals from open player for Spurs over the previous two seasons (11) than Nacer Chadli
