Summer 2021 Transfer Grades, One Year Later
Almost all top teams have built their squads with smart recruitment, and the summer is when most top signings are made. With the season winding down and the 2022 summer rumor mill heating up, we think it would be a great idea to take a look at the ten most expensive signings of 2021’s summer, and grade them based on output so far, as well as projecting for the future.
All transfer data comes from Transfermarkt.com
10. Emi Buendia, $42.24m (Norwich to Aston Villa)
After 32 goal contributions in the league and leading Norwich back to the Premier League, Emi Buendia was a hot commodity in 2021. Aston Villa signed him as part of the post Jack Grealish era, and he hasn’t quite kicked on as they would have hoped. There have been flashes, but two goals and four assists on the season is not up to par, and the performances have not been as consistent as he can be. However, he is only 25, so there will be more opportunities on the horizon, and a full summer under Steven Gerrard may set him up for future success.
Grade: C
9. Ibrahima Konate, $44m (RB Leipzig to Liverpool)
The Frenchman has only made 22 appearances on the year, but understandably so as it is often difficult for young center backs to adapt quickly to top sides. He has gotten better as the season has gone on, and even scored crucial goals in the FA Cup and Champions League in recent weeks. At 22, he is one for the future who will continue to develop under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp.
Grade: B
8. Tammy Abraham, $44m (Chelsea to AS Roma)
Abraham has found success under Jose Mourinho this season, scoring 24 goals, providing five assists, and becoming one of the first names on the team sheet. Those 24 goals are the most ever by a player in their debut season at Roma, and his finishing has been vital on the road to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals. The Chelsea academy product really seems to have found a home in the Italian capital, and while the price wasn’t a bargain it didn’t exactly break the bank either. Similar to the previous name above, Abraham is only 24 and his best years are hopefully in front of him.
Grade: B+
Abraham celebrates after a great derby performance vs Lazio
7. Raphael Varane, $44m (Real Madrid to Manchester United)
One of the most decorated players of his era, Varane has been held back by injuries and hasn't made the impact many predicted when he signed. The price seemed like a great deal at the time, and at 28 he isn’t too old, but there are a lot of miles on his legs because his career at the top level started so long ago. Of course, this could be just an unlucky year, but the injuries could also be a sign of things to come. If Varane can stay healthy, he will provide the leadership and quality his side needs. If not though, the deal combined with his wages may be a lot of wasted money for United.
Grade: C
6. Dayot Upamecano, $46.75m (RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich)
The second player on the list that left from RB Leipzig, Upamecano has had a similar time to his former teammate Konate. He has been in the squad more often than not with 35 appearances on the year, and there has been some growing pains as well as great moments. He is super talented, still learning, and the high line Bayern uses leaves their center backs exposed more often than most teams, which he has sometimes struggled with. However, he is another young one, at 23, and he will continue to grow.
Grade: B
Upamecano could be on his way to becoming one of the world’s best defenders
5. Ben White, $64.35m (Brighton Hove & Albion to Arsenal)
The fourth center back on the list, White has established himself as a consistent member of the Arsenal starting eleven, and is only 24 years old. His performances have been good but not great, and he does not flash quite the same potential that the other young center backs on this list do. However, he has filled a critical need for Arsenal, and their season could be a massive success if they can hold on to the fourth Champions League place. They overpaid for a bit so that knocks their grade, but White has mostly done his part.
Grade: B-
4. Achraf Hakimi, $73.15m (Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain)
While not the biggest name brought in by PSG last summer, he was the most expensive and probably the most successful so far. While most of the squad has been inconsistent, Hakimi has spent his season staking his claim for best right back in the world, and at 23 he is only going to get better. PSG have found their right back for the next decade, and considering how few truly elite full backs there are in world football, the price was worth it.
Grade: B+
3. Jadon Sancho, $93.5m (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United)
The young Englishman has taken a while to adapt to the Premier League, but since the turn of the year his performances have been much better. With just 5 goals and 3 assists in 37 appearances though, the production has been disappointing. For such a high price tag, United were certainly hoping for more immediate impact, but I am willing to bet Sancho has much better seasons in front of him. He is uber talented, as he proved with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Grade: C+
Sancho has struggled with settling in at United after multiple electric seasons with Borussia Dortmund
2. Romelu Lukaku, $124.3m (Inter Milan to Chelsea)
Lukaku was brought in to make Chelsea unstoppable, and be the leading force for a title charge. It is safe to say things have not gone to plan. Between rifts with Thomas Tuchel, a questionable interview, and poor performances, it has not been money well spent. At age 28 he is still technically in his prime, but Chelsea does not seem like the best fit for him on and off the pitch. They paid a premium price for the Belgian, and his value has diminished severely throughout the season. This has been a complete failure.
Grade: F
1. Jack Grealish, $129.25m (Aston Villa to Manchester City)
The Aston Villa youth product has had a difficult time forcing himself into Pep Guardiola’s lineups, and when he has been on the pitch, hasn’t really produced. Just 8 goal contributions in 33 appearances is not up to the standard of his price tag, and when watching him it feels as though he doesn’t mesh well into the city style of play. He is 26, so just entering his prime and you would expect him to settle in more in the coming years. However, this signing was made looking for an impact immediately as well as in the future, and that just hasn’t been the case. His move has not been a nightmare, but it has come nowhere near as successful as he and the club were hoping.
Grade: C-