💪Soccer Power Rankings: Summer signings who must step up for each team⚽
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Nikki Dyer - LFC / Liverpool FC / Getty
Previous rank: 2 📈
Considering Liverpool's sensational start to life under Arne Slot, this is little more than a nitpick. It obviously hasn't hindered them in any way, but Federico Chiesa has been virtually nonexistent since joining the club from Juventus in the summer. The Italian, struggling to achieve full fitness, has made just three appearances in all competitions, playing a grand total of 78 minutes. Imagine if they actually get anything out of him this season.
Atalanta are flying right now, with Mateo Retegui, Charles De Ketelaere, and Ademola Lookman all in scintillating form for a side that's scored 26 times during an eight-game winning streak. Nicolo Zaniolo is the only player yet to flourish under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Italian, on loan from Galatasaray, has more yellow cards than goals this season. At some point, Atalanta's scoring spree will slow down. Having Zaniolo at his best will help in those moments.
Captain Lautaro Martinez and strike partner Marcus Thuram continue to carry the attacking load, combining for nearly half of Inter's goals in Serie A this season. With the Nerazzurri competing on several fronts, Mehdi Taremi, who's still goalless in league play, will need to step up and offer a credible secondary scoring threat who can give Simone Inzaghi's first-choice pair a break as the fixture list keeps piling up.
Having finally landed the defensive midfield specialist they long coveted, Bayern Munich probably expected a little more out of Joao Palhinha. The ball-winning machine saw limited playing time early in the season before getting injured, raising questions about his suitability for Vincent Kompany's system. Nearing a return from an adductor tear, the Portuguese international will be looking to supplant a resurgent Leon Goretzka in the starting lineup.
Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 9 📈
Raheem Sterling has been a non-factor this season, but his loan deal was a low-risk, last-minute summer signing. Mikel Merino, on the other hand, cost nearly €40 million and has yet to look comfortable in north London, starting just four Premier League matches since moving from Real Sociedad. Injuries have delayed his acclimation. Getting more out of the Spanish midfielder in the second half of the season would be a big boost to Arsenal's title push.
Chelsea are making excellent progress under Enzo Maresca. Despite the justified criticism of the club's scattergun transfer policy, the ceiling for this team is very high after multiple windows spent doling out huge sums of cash. But one area that could yet derail the Blues' ascent is between the sticks, where Robert Sanchez remains an unconvincing No. 1. Filip Jorgensen can wrest that job away and provide Chelsea with a better backbone in goal.
Dani Olmo has looked great when he's been on the pitch - five La Liga goals in just seven appearances - but that's just it: He's not been available consistently enough to justify Barcelona's €60-million outlay. Fitness issues have been the one real knock on the Spaniard throughout his career. He gives Barca a unique set of versatility and creativity and needs to stay healthy for a team dealing with its first bit of adversity under Hansi Flick.
Napoli, unlike so many other teams on this list, aren't burdened by sapping midweek European fixtures. Antonio Conte doesn't have to worry about squad rotation nearly as much as his peers. That's helped Matteo Politano retain his starting place on the right wing despite limited production this season. David Neres, often a late-game substitute in that position, has a chance to make the starting spot his own if he can fully win Conte's trust.
Who else? Kylian Mbappe hasn't exactly hit the ground running in the Spanish capital. His raw numbers aren't that bad - eight league goals in 13 games - but he's been an awkward fit on the pitch while Carlo Ancelotti tinkers and figures out how to make the best use of his skills. Mbappe was always going to be judged more harshly than any other summer signing. He's set the bar sky-high, and he hasn't come close to reaching it yet in Madrid.
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1. Liverpool 🏴
Previous rank: 2 📈
Considering Liverpool's sensational start to life under Arne Slot, this is little more than a nitpick. It obviously hasn't hindered them in any way, but Federico Chiesa has been virtually nonexistent since joining the club from Juventus in the summer. The Italian, struggling to achieve full fitness, has made just three appearances in all competitions, playing a grand total of 78 minutes. Imagine if they actually get anything out of him this season.
2. Atalanta 🇮🇹
Previous rank: 7 📈Atalanta are flying right now, with Mateo Retegui, Charles De Ketelaere, and Ademola Lookman all in scintillating form for a side that's scored 26 times during an eight-game winning streak. Nicolo Zaniolo is the only player yet to flourish under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Italian, on loan from Galatasaray, has more yellow cards than goals this season. At some point, Atalanta's scoring spree will slow down. Having Zaniolo at his best will help in those moments.
3. Inter Milan 🇮🇹
Previous rank: 11 📈Captain Lautaro Martinez and strike partner Marcus Thuram continue to carry the attacking load, combining for nearly half of Inter's goals in Serie A this season. With the Nerazzurri competing on several fronts, Mehdi Taremi, who's still goalless in league play, will need to step up and offer a credible secondary scoring threat who can give Simone Inzaghi's first-choice pair a break as the fixture list keeps piling up.
4. Bayern Munich 🇩🇪
Previous rank: 5 📈Having finally landed the defensive midfield specialist they long coveted, Bayern Munich probably expected a little more out of Joao Palhinha. The ball-winning machine saw limited playing time early in the season before getting injured, raising questions about his suitability for Vincent Kompany's system. Nearing a return from an adductor tear, the Portuguese international will be looking to supplant a resurgent Leon Goretzka in the starting lineup.
5. Arsenal 🏴
Previous rank: 9 📈
Raheem Sterling has been a non-factor this season, but his loan deal was a low-risk, last-minute summer signing. Mikel Merino, on the other hand, cost nearly €40 million and has yet to look comfortable in north London, starting just four Premier League matches since moving from Real Sociedad. Injuries have delayed his acclimation. Getting more out of the Spanish midfielder in the second half of the season would be a big boost to Arsenal's title push.
6. Chelsea 🏴
Previous rank: 16 📈Chelsea are making excellent progress under Enzo Maresca. Despite the justified criticism of the club's scattergun transfer policy, the ceiling for this team is very high after multiple windows spent doling out huge sums of cash. But one area that could yet derail the Blues' ascent is between the sticks, where Robert Sanchez remains an unconvincing No. 1. Filip Jorgensen can wrest that job away and provide Chelsea with a better backbone in goal.
7. Barcelona 🇪🇸
Previous rank: 1 📉Dani Olmo has looked great when he's been on the pitch - five La Liga goals in just seven appearances - but that's just it: He's not been available consistently enough to justify Barcelona's €60-million outlay. Fitness issues have been the one real knock on the Spaniard throughout his career. He gives Barca a unique set of versatility and creativity and needs to stay healthy for a team dealing with its first bit of adversity under Hansi Flick.
8. Napoli 🇮🇹
Previous rank: 8 ⚖️Napoli, unlike so many other teams on this list, aren't burdened by sapping midweek European fixtures. Antonio Conte doesn't have to worry about squad rotation nearly as much as his peers. That's helped Matteo Politano retain his starting place on the right wing despite limited production this season. David Neres, often a late-game substitute in that position, has a chance to make the starting spot his own if he can fully win Conte's trust.
9. Real Madrid 🇪🇸
Previous rank: 3 📉Who else? Kylian Mbappe hasn't exactly hit the ground running in the Spanish capital. His raw numbers aren't that bad - eight league goals in 13 games - but he's been an awkward fit on the pitch while Carlo Ancelotti tinkers and figures out how to make the best use of his skills. Mbappe was always going to be judged more harshly than any other summer signing. He's set the bar sky-high, and he hasn't come close to reaching it yet in Madrid.
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