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Greatest title-winning signings by reigning champions


Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United all made key signings as Premier League champions that allowed them to retain their title.

The 2024-25 champions Liverpool are trying to copy the feat, having signed Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez already this summer season.

We’ve picked out seven signings that have been key to the reigning Premier League champions retaining their crown the next season.

Erling Haaland

After successful the league and not using a recognised striker in 2021-22, a fruits of Pep Guardiola’s wildest fantasies, Manchester Metropolis broke the financial institution to signal Erling Haaland.

The official payment was £50million, however the true determine is nearer to £200million as soon as wages and agent charges are accounted for.

Haaland was sensational in his debut season, scoring 36 Premier League objectives and 52 in all competitions as Metropolis gained the treble.

His effectiveness has dimmed since, regardless of the continued avalanche of objectives, and questions have been requested about whether or not Metropolis can be more practical with out Haaland.

However that’s a idiot’s errand. The sport is extra direct than 5 years in the past and Haaland is one of the best goalscorer in world soccer. No marvel Metropolis have tied him to a 10-year contract.

Carlos Tevez

The objectives of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo fired Manchester United to the title in 2007, however Ferguson nonetheless sought to extend the firepower at his disposal.

That arrived within the type of Tevez, contemporary from serving to West Ham keep away from sure relegation.

Although United followers may not wish to admit it following his departure throughout Manchester two years later, Tevez was really good for some time.

In 2007-08, alongside Ronaldo and Rooney, Tevez was a part of the best attacking line-up Previous Trafford has seen for the reason that Holy Trinity of Denis Legislation, George Greatest and Bobby Charlton.

United lifted the Premier League and Champions League trophies and their ahead trio bagged 79 objectives between them.

Roy Keane

If Blackburn had filed their paperwork correctly and Kenny Dalglish had not swanned off on vacation, United would’ve signed no one to defend their maiden Premier League title in 1993.

As a substitute, Keane ditched a transfer to Ewood Park for a £3.75million switch to Previous Trafford and the remainder is historical past.

Michael Essien

Chelsea are the one non-Manchester membership to have gained successive Premier League titles, reaching the feat in 2005 and 2006 below Jose Mourinho.

After romping to their first league title in 50 years, the Blues made the ill-fated signings reminiscent of Asier Del Horno and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Fortunately, additionally they acquired Essien for a payment of £24.4million from Lyon. A club-record signing, however one price shelling out for.

Chelsea's Michael Essien celebrates scoring in the Premier League game against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge, London, England. 11 September 2010.

READ: A tribute to Michael Essien, Chelsea’s man for all issues and all seasons

Riyad Mahrez

After strolling to the title in 2018, Metropolis solely made a single signing in the summertime window. Nevertheless it was a doozy.

Mahrez was signed from Leicester for a payment of £60million and scored 78 objectives and assisted 59 throughout 5 seasons on the Etihad, successful 10 trophies that included a Treble and seasonal home sweep.

Regardless of this relentless output, the Algerian is surprisingly underrated. Maybe his erratic penalty taking has colored the reminiscence of an exquisite participant.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Signed alongside fellow Norwegian Ronny Johnsen for a mixed £2.75million, Solskjaer grew to become a Manchester United legend and future managerial fall man.

United paid £1.5million for 366 video games, 126 objectives – together with one in 1999 that you just would possibly bear in mind – and the unending loyalty of a real devotee.

Josko Gvaridol

Gvardiol took time to adapt to the Premier League following his transfer to Metropolis in 2023, however quickly added elevated positional intelligence and an attacking edge to his recreation.

The £77million signing from RB Leipzig was remodeled by Pep Guardiola, who signed him as a dominant centre-back and turned him into a strong, goal-scoring left-back.

His three objectives on the finish of the 2023-24 marketing campaign helped Metropolis overhaul Arsenal and win their fourth successive Premier League title.


READ NEXT: An outrageously good Premier League XI that value lower than Liverpool spent on Florian Wirtz

TRY A QUIZ: Are you able to title each participant to attain 20+ objectives in a single Premier League season?



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