Grading Every Premier League Team's Transfer Window

The Premier League has become the league where every player wants to be now. One of the most financially lucrative leagues in world football, players come here for the fierce competition as well as to make their own brand. This financial viability of the Premier League has caused more and more players to come here for very high amounts of money.

The 2018/19 Summer Transfer Window has been one of the most active ones in recent memory. Unexpected transfers have gone through, whereas some expected ones have failed to materialize. Transfer records have been broken and expenditure has gone up in ways no one has seen before. So let's take a look at every single Premier League's summer business this window.

#1 Arsenal

Players in: Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Mattéo Guendouzi and Stephan Lichtsteiner

Players out: Lucas Perez, Takuma Asano, Chuba Akpom, Santi Cazorla, Matt Macey, Jack Wilshere, Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker

One of the better windows for Arsenal in a long time, Unai Emery has done a decent job for his first window as Arsenal manager. The acquisition of Lucas Torreira may just be a difference maker as Arsenal can finally let go of their defensive midfield worries. This will unlock their attacking players to play more freely and make a bigger difference as a result.

The players leaving aren't big names as Cazorla and Perez barely played in the last two years and the others are youngsters who are going on loan. The additions are massive. Bernd Leno can start replacing the ageing Petr Cech and the likes of Sokratis can add further defensive stability. Lichsteiner can mentor Bellerin and possibly be a rotation option with the Spaniard. This has been a great window and Emery can look to the season with confidence.

Grade: B+

#2 AFC Bournemouth

Players in: Jefferson Lerma , Diego Rico and David Brooks

Players out: Benik Afobe, Lewis Grabban, Max Gradel, Baily Cargill, Ryan Allsop, Emerson Hyndman, Brad Smith, Adam Federici, Connor Mahoney and Rhoys Wiggins

The talented manager can protect Bournemouth after an iffy window.

Bournemouth have added risky yet exciting players this window. Even though people may raise question marks about them as they are unknown Spanish names and a Championship player, they seem to be very promising. The departures are big, with attacking trifecta of Afobe, Grabban, and Gardel all leaving the club. In addition, Harry Arter and Brad Smith have left on loan.

The additions do not make up for the departures as one could say Bournemouth have taken a step back this season through this decision. They have quality and Eddie Howe has the talent to keep them safe. However, from a pure transfer perspective, this hasn't been the best window that the Dean Court could have had.

Grade: C-

#3 Brighton and Hove Albion

Players in: Leon Balogun, Joseph Tomlinson, Florin Andone, Jason Steele, Bernardo Fernandes da Silva Junior, Hugo Keto, David Button, Yves Bissouma, Percy Tau, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Anders Dreyer, Billy Arce, Leo Skiri Ostigard, Peter Gwargis and Martin Montoya

Players out: Sam Baldock, Connor Goldson, Jamie Murphy, Jiri Skalak, Tyler Hornby-Forbes. Christian Walton, Tim Krul, Niki Mäenpää, Uwe Hünemeier, Ales Mateju, Billy Arce, Liam Rosenior, Steve Sidwell and Rohan Ince

Even though additions and departures are aplenty, can this window be considered a success for Brighton? I say no, as these are just more bodies that have filled the dressing room, and not any real stars. The additions of Montoya and Andone will probably reap rewards but whether it's enough for Brighton to avoid second-season syndrome is a different issue.

So many bodies may make Brighton a cohesive unit, but do they have enough time to make all of them gel together? How many of them actually change the status quo?

There are too many questions around this and Brighton will be forced to answer these this season. Whether they would have been better off signing a star name instead of so many average ones, they probably could have seen a bigger change. Adding names isn't a bad thing, but will it help Brighton this season? We will have to see.

Grade: C-

#4 Burnley

Players in: Ben Gibson, Matej Vydra, Vinnie Steels and Joe Hart

Players out: Dean Marney, Chris Long, Tom Anderson and Scott Arfield

Dyche may hope to miss the Europa League this season.

A less than impressive window at Turf Moor will be a cause of concern for everyone. Burnely's heroics last season means that they may just be playing through the gruelling Europa League this season. They do not have the depth to do that, with bare minimum signings. Even if you keep that aside, they haven't added enough quality to keep hold of their position from last season.

Ben Gibson is a great defensive addition and could end up in a wonderful partnership with Tarkowski. That defensive stability is the only good move made by Burnley. Vydra is a Championship level striker, who comes up to the Premier League with question marks over him. They already have one Chris Wood, so this is an interesting buy. Joe Hart is the biggest name but he will probably become second fiddle to Nick Pope when he recovers from injury. This is an average window, leaving so much more to be desired.

Grade: C

#5 Cardiff City

Players in: Josh Murphy, Bobby Reid, Greg Cunningham, Victor Camarasa, Harry Arter and Alex Smithies

Players out: Ben Wilson, Lee Camp, Matty Kennedy, Omar Bogle and Greg Halford

The newly promoted team may have a struggle.

The first of our three promoted teams, Cardiff's window isn't a very promising one. While we will get to Fulham and Wolves, Cardiff hasn't done anything worthwhile in the market for them to show that they will retain their Premier League status. Very good Championship players don't necessarily make for good Premier League players and that is the biggest problem that Cardiff will face.

Of all their signings, two are from the Championship and the two that aren't are loan moves. That is not nearly good enough for a team that was any way considered to have overachieved through promotion. No doubt that players like Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid aren't great young players, but will they be enough to keep Cardiff up? It is a disappointing window for the Welsh team.

Grade: D

#6 Chelsea

Players in: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jorginho, Robert Green and Mateo Kovacic

Players out: Thibaut Courtois, Kurt Zouma, Mario Pasalic, Eduardo, Matej Delac, Todd Kane, Nathan, Matt Miazga, Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker, Nathan Baxter, Wallace Oliveira and Michy Batshuayi

Maurizio Sarri may have failed to deliver in the window.

Chelsea's transfer window may just be one of the most polarizing ones. After they finally fix their midfield issues, adding Jorginho and Kovacic to bolster them. They seem to have downgraded in every other position. No additions in the defense and attack, with a major change in their goalkeepers, means a lot of Chelsea's window is up for interpretation.

No centre-back additions mean that no one knows what is the best defensive pairing for Sarri's Chelsea. If a four-man system is going to be followed, Azpilicueta is probably moving back to the wing-back position, leaving the CB positions for aged David Luiz and Gary Cahill to fight over with Andreas Christensen.

Batshuayi has left again, leaving Morata to fight Giroud for his spot again. The biggest change is Courtois leaving for Real Madrid, while young Kepa replaces him. Regardless of the price, that is a massive gamble. This writer believes Kepa is going to be a tremendous player but that is an opinion and yet to be rooted in fact. A weird window for Sarri, which hopefully means he can make changes down the line.

Grade: C

#7 Crystal Palace

Players in: Cheikhou Kouyaté, Jordan Ayew, Vicente Guait and Max Meyer

Players out: Damien Delaney, Yohan Cabaye, Jaroslaw Jach, Diego Cavalieri, Bakary Sako and Cheong-yong Lee

A window that was relatively productive for Palace means that Roy Hodgson's men need to translate business into performance to stay up this season. Only simple additions which bolster their team was a good idea on Hodgson's part, and holding onto Wilfried Zaha will turn out to be a season-saver if it starts to go South.

Adding Kouyate in midfield is an average change as he had trailed off for West Ham last season, but his dynamism may help Palace this season. Jordan Ayew will do his best to help the misfiring Christian Benteke and possibly create a sound attacking system with the help of Zaha. The biggest addition has to be Max Meyer, as the ex-Schalke youngster is a prospect that can make a difference this season, as well as in the long run. A functional window for Palace, with adequate additions and no big losses.

Grade: B

#8 Everton

Players in: Richarlison, Joao Virginia, Bernard, Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma

Players out: Davy Klaassen, Ramiro Funes Mori, Henry Onyekuru, Kevin Mirallas, Wayne Rooney, Joel Robles, Conor Grant, Shani Tarashaj, Ashley Williams and Luke Garbutt

The former Watford boss has a lot to do after a tremendous window.

Leaving most of their signings for the final day, Everton went from an average window to a tremendous one within the span of a few hours. Having lost a fair amount of players that have featured in prominent spots in the past such as Funes Mori and Rooney, Everton have a new look under Marco Silva. After the failures of Koeman's splurge last season, this is a risky, yet exciting season for Silva.

The biggest additions have to be the trio that has arrived from Barcelona in the form of Yerry Mina, Lucas Digne, and Andre Gomes. All three are great players but were failing to make a mark on the Barcelona first team. Given a new lease on life, these three can make a massive difference. If the loan addition of Gomes was a surprise, the free transfer of Bernard was a last minute stunner, with him being rumoured to be at any number of clubs through the season. Richarilson has already proven what he can do under Marco Silva and Zouma adds further talent at the back to wrap up what's been a wonderful window for Everton.

Grade: B+

#9 Fulham

Players in: Jean Michaël Seri, André Zambo Anguissa, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Alfie Mawson, Joe Bryan, Fabri, Maxime Le Marchand, André Schürrle, Sergio Rico, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Calum Chambers and Luciano Vietto

Players out: David Button, George Williams, Tayo Edun, Elijah Adebayo and Ryan Fredericks

Can the play-off winners continue their excellent transfer business on the pitch?

Another terrific window, Fulham have gone all out in ensuring they do not slip back down after their triumphant return to the Premier League. Their biggest win this summer may have been keeping hold of Ryan Sessegnon, but the additions that they have made along with him are too good to be true for a club of this stature.

WIth the only notable departure being Ryan Fredericks, Fulham have added heaps of quality. Nice pair Le Marchand and Jean Seri add tremendous quality to this side, considering how they were being linked to the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona. Along with them, adding heaps of quality in defense with Fosu-Mensah, Alfie Mawson, Calum Chambers and goalkeeper Sergio Rico is a fantastic decision. Mitrovic's permanent signing means they hope he will recreate his Championship form in the Premier League, with support from Andre Schürrle strengthening the team further. An amazing window, which is a statement of intent by Fulham.

Grade: A

#10 Huddersfield

Players in: Terence Kongolo, Adama Diakhaby, Ramadan Sobhi, Florent Hadergjonaj, Juninho Bacuna, Jonas Lössl, Erik Durm, Ben Hamer and Isaac Mbenza

Players out: Tom Ince, Michael Hefele, Robert Green, Jordy Hiwula, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Joel Coleman, Sean Scannell, Scott Malone, Jack Payne and Dean Whitehead

Not the most exciting window, Huddersfield will be trying to ensure that they can spend another season in the Premier League, without suffering from second season syndrome. Their additions are good with Monaco pair Kongolo and Diakhaby adding the flair that Wagner loves. They are surrounded by more functional players and Tom Ince is the only notable departure.

The likes of Lössl and Durm add experience and stability to the team. Juninho is a young prospect that may be shaped into a world beater under Wagner's careful guidance. The biggest acquisition is probably Ramadan Sobhi from Stoke City. The Egyptian winger is packed with promise and can become one of the best players in the league. An average window, but probably good enough to give Huddersfield the strength to fight this season.

Grade: B

#11 Leicester City

Players in: James Maddison, Ricardo Pereira, Caglar Söyüncü, Filip Benkovic, Danny Ward, Rachid Ghezzal and Jonny Evans

Players out: Riyad Mahrez, Ahmed Musa, Ben Hamer, George Thomas, Harvey Barnes, Leonardo Ulloa, Robert Huth and Aleksander Dragovic

A mixed window for Leicester. While they held on to the likes of Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy, the loss of Riyad Mahrez may be one that hits them hard. However, Leicester have made great signings to fill the gaps that their team has. World cup star Ahmed Musa left but he didn't really contribute to Leicester ever and rotation striker Ulloa has also finally left.

The signings are more than great for Leicester. James Maddison is a quality addition in the creativity section, with the likes of Ghezzal replacing Mahrez on the wings. The best signing easily is Johnny Evans, who had been the best player in West Brom's lacklustre team for a few years now. He and Maguire can form a formidable centre-back partnership. Along with him, Caglar Söyüncü is a young and promising defender himself.

Ricardo Pereira is a major coup too. Despite losing a massive player in Mahrez, Puel has added quality in other players as Leicester try to break free from mid-table obscurity in their third season since their title win.

Grade: B

#12 Liverpool

Players in: Alisson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri

Players out: Danny Ward, Emre Can, Jordan Williams, Jon Flanagan, Ben Woodburn, Ádám Bogdán and Danny Ings

A great window for the Redmen, as they did all their business early and swiftly. Klopp has finally completed his face-lift of the Liverpool squad that he inherited from Brendan Rodgers, and they are probably the only team that can realistically challenge the scariest Manchester City team we have ever seen. Crucial additions in necessary departments have been completed, without losing many big names.

Emer Can's departure will be a tough pill to swallow considering how good he was, but Fabinho and Naby Keita look to fill that hole and then some. Fabinho may even be a right back when Trent Alexander-Arnold loses form or gets injured. Shaqiri eases the pressure of Mane and Salah on the wings and is a quality addition. The biggest is finally adding a great goalkeeper in the form of Brazil's number one, Alisson. This has been a very good window for Klopp and Liverpool will go into this season better prepared than they ever have been.

Grade: B+

#13 Manchester City

Players in: Riyad Mahrez, Philippe Sandler, Claudio Gomes and Daniel Arzani

Players out: Angus Gunn, Joe Hart, Olarenwaju Kayode, Luka Ilic, Erik Palmer-Brown, Jack Harrison, Pablo Marí, Mix Diskerud, Yaya Touré and Anthony Cáceres

Why spend more when your team is the best?

A plain window for Manchester City, with one major addition and no major departures. However, after their exploits in the window last summer, they didn't really need many reinforcements. The incumbent Premier League champions already have the perfect team, which they amplify with the addition of Riyad Mahrez.

A lot of the deadweights around the club has been trimmed. Joe Hart has finally been sold after two failed loan spells. Angus Gunn promises to be a future goalkeeping sensation, but with Ederson between the sticks, his chances would always be slim to none to break into the first team. Yaya Toure left, but he was anyway being phased out by Pep. It's an average window because the team was already perfect. The grade shall reflect so, but it isn't a commentary on their chances to win the league. They didn't need to do much this window, and they didn't.

Grade: C

#14 Manchester United

Players in: Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant

Players out: Daley Blind, Sam Johnstone, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Axel Tuanzebe, Joel Pereira and Michael Carrick

Has Mourinho failed United, or has United failed Mourinho?

After splashing the cash on players for two seasons without many results, Manchester United have failed miserably this window to make an impact on their squad. Three additions and only one of them is equipped to play in the first team. No big loss in the outgoing department apart from Daley Blind, but the lack of an incoming star may be worrying.

Chasing center backs all season didn't yield any benefit, as United still find themselves short-staffed in that area. Even though Fred promises to give Pogba more freedom and move into a more creative role, that is the only functional move this season. Grant is a backup goalkeeper, and Dalot is too young and inexperienced to become a starting RB for the Red Devil's. No marquee left back or center back signing means United are heading into this season weak, and probably fail to win silverware for another year.

Grade: D

#15 Newcastle United

Players in: Yoshinori Muto, Federico Fernández, Martin Dubravka, Fabian Schär, José Salomón Rondón and Sung-yong Ki

Players out: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Mikel Merino, Chancel Mbemba, Matz Sels, Adam Armstrong, Ivan Toney, Massadio Haidara, Stuart Findlay, Dwight Gayle and Jack Colback

The owner of Newcastle needs to splash or be in the Championship again.

The same old story at Newcastle. Fans and manager want new signings, and Mike Ashley fails to deliver. Even though he has done better this season by giving funds to Rafa Benitez to make some dent into the transfer market, but is it enough? They haven't lost all fringe players, as most of their departures are players that have been in and out of the team over the past few seasons.

Their addition does not excite per se. Rondon and Muto may be good additions up-front, but will they be able to fix the goal scoring problems at St. James's Park? Along with that, is Ki going to be an adequate replacement for Merino? There are too many question marks hanging over this team. The biggest loss may not even be something they face this season, as they let go off young and exciting striker, Adam Armstrong to Blackburn Rovers. He could become a trailblazer in the future, so that loss may not be a good one for Newcastle.

Grade: C-

#16 Southampton

Players in: Jannik Vestergaard, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Angus Gunn, Stuart Armstrong and Danny Ings

Players out: Dusan Tadic, Florin Gardos, Sofiane Boufal, Guido Carrillo and Jordy Clasie

After avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, this was not the window that Mark Hughes would have wanted. Losing key players and not filling for them is a massive tactical error on part of the experienced English manager. Boufal and Tadic were two of the best players for the Saints last season and Southampton enter this season without both.

The additions that have been made are sub-par at best. Danny Ings has barely played football in his last two seasons and didn't impress for Liverpool when he got chances last season. Elyounoussi may end up being a terrific signing, replacing Boufal, but there are too many questions marks over him. Vestergaard is a great defensive option and can be considered a replacement for Virgil van Dijk after his January exit but doesn't possess the same physical gifts as the Dutchman did. It is going to be a very tough season at the St. Mary's this time, and they would hope to be in the Premier League for another season.

Grade: C-

#17 Tottenham Hotspur

Players out: Keanen Bennets and Anton Walkes

Easily the most catastrophic window, Tottenham Hotspur did not make a single signing this window, becoming the first Premier League club since 2003 to do so. Considering this is purely a transfer window review and not a club review, Tottenham must be criticised for failing to make even a single move this season.

Even though they held on to Moussa Dembele and Toby Alderweireld, this is negligent on Tottenham's part to think that they do not need more players. They have a very deep and young squad but none of them have the talent to be Premier League or European Champions. They have already started the season with an injury crisis, with the likes of Lamela, Wanyama, Winks, Carter-Vickers etc. all injured for the first match of the season. Tottenham may still be as competitive as they always have been but this is a massive fail for the London based club.

Grade: F

#18 Watford

Players in: Gerard Deulofeu, Adam Masina, Ken Sema, Marc Navarro, Ben Wilmot, Domingos Quina, Ben Foster and Kwasi Sibo

Players out: Richarlison, Nordin Amrabat, Mauro Zárate, Jerome Sinclair, Dodi Lukebakio, Tommie Hoban, Daniel Bachmann and Costel Pantilimon

Watford have had a mixed window. You cannot look at their team and say there have been any upgrades. They do have a Richarilson shaped hole to fill on the wings, as even Amrabat has left now. Can unproven Ken Sema do a job in that role? Deulofeu was already here last season, with his deal being finalized this window.

However, Watford have clearly signed players looking towards the future. All signings, apart from Ben Foster are below 24 years of age. These include highly-rated defender Ben Wilmot from Stevenage and Domingos Quina from West Ham. Even though their investments this window will pay off in a few years, this season may just be a struggle for The Hornets.

Grade: C-

#19 West Ham United

Players in: Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop, Andriy Yarmolenko, Lukasz Fabianski, Carlos Sánchez, Lucas Pérez, Fabián Balbuena, Jack Wilshere and Ryan Fredericks

Players out: Cheikhou Kouyaté, Reece Burke, Domingos Quina, Sead Haksabanovic, Jordan Hugill, Patrice Evra, James Collins and João Mário

The Hammers have hammered down some great deals.

A great window for The Hammers, West Ham can look forward to a great season ahead. They have a new manager in former Premier League champion Manuel Pellegrini, and he has strengthened the squad in all key areas. The pressure on Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic has been eased by bringing Lucas Perez from Arsenal. To give them service, great wingers in the form of Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson have been added.

Along with the attacking talent, injury-prone but spectacular midfielder, Jack Wilshere has joined the ranks on a free from Arsenal. Experienced Carlos Sanchez joins the defensive midfield ranks, and the defense has been given a new look with Balbuena and Issa Diop. Their goalkeeping worries can also be eased, as Fabianski has joined to either start or be an option behind Adrian. This team is well-rounded and have done a great job in the transfer market. They could challenge for Europe with this team.

Grade: B+

#20 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Players in: Adama Traoré, Diogo Jota, Willy Boly, Benik Afobe, João Moutinho, Léo Bonatini, Raúl Jiménez, Rui Patrício, Rúben Vinagre, Jonny Castro and Leander Dendoncker

Players out: Benik Afobe, Barry Douglas, Ben Marshall, Harry Burgoyne, Jon Flatt, Prince Oniangué, Aaron Collins, Roderick Miranda, Ming-Yang Yang, Duckens Nazon and Rafa Mir

Wolves have wolfed down some great players.

The best for last. Wolves have had one of the best transfer windows of any club this season in the Premier League. Their relationship with Jorge Mendes has caused them to further strengthen their squad with some absolutely tremendous Portuguese talent. Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho are two experienced players with Champions League experience. They have played internationally too and bring experience and stability to a flashy Wolves squad.

The additions of Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore, and Leander Dendoncker make the squad very very strong. Jimenez is a proven finisher, with his time in Benfica a relative success. Traore is one of the best dribblers in world football and can provide tremendous service. Dendoncker is a stable defensive mid that most top clubs in Europe have been chasing. Adding to these, they haven't lost any big player and have added depth and quality all across the board. This is the best window that Wolves could have had for their first season back in the Premier League.

Grade: A+

Edited by Rajdeep Puri