Wind. Rain. Michael Buble songs on Spotify. The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on, and with the festivities in full flow, the summer might feel like a lifetime ago.
But just as the festive season is all about taking stock of what one has, the half-way point of the Premier League season is as good a time as any for reflection.
Namely, which of the many, many summer transfer window acquisitions have impressed so far.
Here are five bits of business that seem to have, well, done the business.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 22, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest)
At a towering 6ft 5in, Milenkovic is hard to miss. But the Serbian defender’s impact since signing for Forest from Fiorentina is equally as notable.
While Chris Wood has grabbed the headlines for his goals this term, Milenkovic has been a colossus for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at the other end of the pitch with his physical presence and no-nonsense style of defending.
Alongside Murillo, Milenkovic has been the bedrock upon which Forest have propelled themselves up to fourth spot in the table.
Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
Palace may have had a largely unremarkable season so far, but centre-back Lacroix has given Eagles fans plenty to shout about.
The Frenchman has been a staple of Oliver Glasner’s defence this term and the 24-year-old is earning admirers at a rapid rate for his blend of physicality and composure.
£21 million (plus add-ons) from Wolfsburg is already looking like a shrewd bit of business.
Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)
Fifty big ones from Everton might, at least initially, have seemed like a hefty price to pay for the 23-year-old Belgian international in the summer.
But Onana has more than justified his price-tag with his commanding performances as a holding midfielder as Villa have mostly impressed so far this season.
In an age of social media showreels, tough tackling and relentless work ethic can often go unnoticed. However, these are traits Onana excels in; attributes that enable Unai Emery’s more attack-minded midfielders like Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers to flourish.
Feelin’ goooood 😌 pic.twitter.com/E97OInjpbV
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 21, 2024
Jadon Sancho (Chelsea)
The rise and fall of Jadon Sancho. Like Harry Potter and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, it is a story that many know well.
But how about the rise and fall and rise again of Sancho? It certainly seems as though that might be the case if the winger’s start at Chelsea is anything to go by.
The 24-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, has impressed as Enzo Maresca’s side look more and more like genuine title contenders. Resurgence all round at Stamford Bridge, perhaps?
Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)
At just 20 years of age, Minteh has all the hallmarks of a star in the making. Quick, skilful and hard working, the Seagulls, who have a knack for honing young talent before selling on for big bucks, could have another money-maker on their hands.
The Gambian scored 10 goals and made five assists in only 27 appearances in Eredivisie last season and having acquired his services for just £25 million, it already feels like Brighton have nabbed themselves a bit of a steal.
