Winter is Coming - The Top 5 and Bottom 5 Summer Signings in the EFL This Season

The Top 5 and Bottom 5 Summer Signings in the EFL This Season

The EFL had some major signings this season, with numerous teams breaking the bank in the hopes of promotion. The summer is filled with Managers gambling on the right fit, clubs taking risks they hope will pay off over a long season. As the months roll by, some signings quickly become fan favourites, making an immediate difference on the pitch, while others struggle to live up to their price tag. Here, we break down the Top 5 and Bottom 5 summer signings in the EFL this season, looking at who’s delivered and who’s fallen short so far.

Top 5 Best EFL Signings

Kieffer Moore- Sheff Utd to Wrexham When Kieffer Moore made his move in the summer for £2 million, with big expectations that he would bring a high level of quality that fans have seen over the years. His best scoring season came back in 2021, where he netted 20 league goals for Cardiff in the Championship. As we reach the midway point in the season, he looks to set equal or beat that tally, racking up 10 goals so far, the second highest of any player in the league.

Danny Imray- Palace to Blackpool (Loan) He started the season well, continuing the form we saw in League Two with Bromley. Imray racked up seven appearances by the end of September before picking up an injury. Since his return at the beginning of December, Blackpool fans have been non-stop raving about the fullback's ability to get his side up the pitch, attacking threat and defensive reliability. He’s picked up two goals and an assist in just 10 starts, with Blackpool being unbeaten since his return.

Lorent Tolaj- Port Vale to Plymouth Everyone knows Plymouth has struggled this season after relegation from the Championship. They sit in the relegation zone, on just 26 points. However, one bright spark has been the arrival of Tolaj, who has picked up 10 league goals, 13 in all competitions, the club's top scorer. The forward has been crucial in front of the goal, converting 10 of his 10.8 expected goals. He came in for a big fee of £1.2 million, but has so far proved his importance.

Cozier-Duberry- Blackburn to Bolton (Loan) The 20-year-old has been a standout player in League One this season, netting 6 goals and 7 assists in a Bolton side pushing for promotion. His ability on the ball to beat a man has left the Bolton faithful desperate for him to stay. Fans have been vocal in their cry for his permanent signing, but after the season he’s had so far, we can see him shining in the Blackburn shirt next season.

Daniel Kanu- Charlton to Walsall (Loan) The Saddlers have been high flying so far this season, challenging with Bromley and Swindon for that top spot. Their top scorer, Daniel Kanu, has impressed during his time there, netting 10 league goals in just 19 games, proving clinical with an expected goals of just 7.01. He’s on loan from Charlton and has given himself a good look for next season at the age of just 21.

Top 5 Worst EFL Signings

Kyogo Furuhashi- Rennes to Birmingham Arriving for an astonishing fee of £10 million in the Championship, Furuhashi has drastically underperformed, failing to score in over 20 Championship appearances. The forward has not been short of chances, failing to score despite an XG of 4.83. Yes, he has only started 6 games this season, but with no goals in 826 minutes of football, he is arguably the worst signing of the summer.

Conor Chaplin- Ipswich to Portsmouth (Loan) He was playing Premier League Football last season, scoring against the likes of Bournemouth, who were flying at the time. Chaplin arrived on loan from Ipswich but has been underwhelming, providing nothing going forward and struggling to contribute defensively. The only positive was his assist in a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn.

Nahki Wells- Bristol City to Luton Town and Jerry Yates- Derby County to Luton Town We can do these two as a pair because Luton has not had the best luck as of late. Both Nahki Wells and Jerry Yates have been extremely disappointing. Wells arrived with a lot of optimism after reaching double digits in the Championship the season before. But he’s struggled scoring just once in the league and missing two penalties. Yates has not been much better, scoring just twice in the league after arriving from Derby. Both players hit double digits last season, but look as though they may struggle to combine for that in a division below.

Aaron Collins- Bolton to MK Dons He was expected to be the League Two top scorer after netting 19 in all competitions for Bolton last season. Everything has gone wrong since his arrival, including injuries, missed opportunities and a lack of last season's form. Collins finds himself playing just 9 league games, netting twice. He has started just four games in the league since arriving, something unacceptable after arriving with such big expectations. We think this could be the biggest flop in League Two this season.