Premier League transfer window grades: Ranking all 20 clubs on their summer business

That was one of the wildest summer transfer windows in Premier League history and now that it’s over, let’s dish out some grades on who did the best business in a record-breaking window.

MORE — Every transfer deal for all 20 Premier League clubs

It’s a real mixed bag out there as plenty of teams spent big, but quite a few are left with a weaker squad than at the start of the summer.

Below we give a grade to each Premier League team based on their business and how well they’ve done with ins and outs.

Arsenal: B+

In reality, they didn’t need to do much business this summer. Bringing in Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa to upgrade their midfield and defense respectively was magnificent, and Christos Tzolis looks like a bit of a bargain. Another forward option would have been nice but overall a very positive window as the reigning champions were able to move on some fringe players — Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus the most notable departures — to free up space for youngsters such as Max Dowman to shine.

Aston Villa: C-

Villa have just done one of the greatest dismantle-and-rebuild jobs in transfer window history. Unai Emery and the decision makers at Villa must be exhausted will have their fingers crossed that their decisions prove to be the right ones. Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Morgan Rogers all left as Villa brought in massive transfer fees for most. Villa have made their squad much younger, but that’s always a huge risk. New signings Ibrahim Mbaye, Nicolas Jackson, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Zion Suzuki are all very good players, while Leon Goretzka will add quality and experience, but Villa’s transfer window probably went too far with the outgoings. Time will tell if this all works out but you can never underestimate Emery’s ability to improve players.

Bournemouth: C-

Bit of a strange window for Bournemouth who have the Europa League to deal with this season and haven’t really strengthened their squad. The main thing was keeping young talents Alex Scott, Junior Kroupi and Rayan, which was a big positive. Other than that, new manager Marco Rose may feel his squad is a little thin.

Brentford: C+

What a sensible bunch the Bees are. Mamadou Sangare looks like a proper star in midfield as their recruitment model has done it again. Other than that, Brentford trimmed their squad but upgraded impressively in the wide areas with Malick Diouf and Jaidon Anthony fitting in perfectly to their style of play. No nonsense. Just savvy business.

Brighton: B-

Quite an overhaul, once again, for the Seagulls and you get the sense they may have sold a couple of experienced players too many this summer. Danny Welbeck, Joel Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke and Carlos Baleba all leaving in the same window is a lot, but we should always trust their scouting network as it already seems to unearth a couple of gems with Luka Vuskovic (big money and big things expected) and Malick Yalcouye (on loan the last few years, but now ready to impress) being very good prospects.

Chelsea: B+

Losing Enzo Fernandez right at the end of the window was a blow and Xabi Alonso will be frustrated Chelsea couldn’t bring Lamine Camara in. That said, Alonso got Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix in early, and Emiliano Martinez in late, and Chelsea’s squad looks very strong. Chelsea still have players who can ease the pressure on Moises Caicedo if he struggles with injuries. They look set for an outside title challenge with no European action to distract them.

Coventry City: D

Just okay would be the summary if they hadn’t lost to Hull City at the weekend, but things are feeling a bit negative about Frank Lampard’s side right now. They brought in plenty of new players but nobody that really surprises you as a statement buy. Taiwo Awoniyi and Sidiki Cherif will get a few goals up top, but Coventry look set for a season of struggle.

Crystal Palace: D-

Really underwhelming window for new manager Pierre Sage, especially with the Europa League set to push their squad to the limits. Losing Daniel Muñoz was a blow, while keeping Adam Wharton was a big plus. The situation up top is intriguing with Jean-Philippe Mateta still around but seemingly far from happy. Overall, a poor window.

Everton: B

Folarin Balogun’s move looks to be happening after all, which is a huge boost if it does. Jack Grealish coming back on loan was a massive addition too, while Hayden Hackney is a solid player and Ainsley-Maitland Niles adds depth. But losing Iliman Ndiaye can’t be understated. Simply put, he was Everton’s best player for two seasons. Overall, David Moyes will feel like his squad is slightly stronger than it was at the start of the summer. Decent.

Fulham: D-

Alvaro Arbeloa has added some attacking talents he knows well from his time in Real Madrid’s youth setup in Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, while midfielder Shea Charles has excellent potential. A late flurry of deals strengthened them slightly. But it feels like Fulham have gone backwards this summer while a lot of other teams around them strengthened. Worrying times for the Cottagers.

Hull City: B+

Overall, great business for a team which didn’t expect to be in the Premier League this season and already has six points on the board from two games. Nobel Mendy and Konstantinos Tzolakis look like great signings at center back and in goal respectively, while Mohamed-Ali Cho and Ilyas Ansah add some real quality and depth in attack. Hull had to bring in plenty of new players, and they did.

Ipswich Town: B+

Basically, see above! Another promoted team which has done plenty of business this summer and they’ve done it really well (hoping to replicate “the Sunderland model” of last season). Gary O’Neil was appointed later in the summer, so it was a tough start to the window for the Tractor Boys but they’ve done really well. Julio Enciso, Abdul Fatawu, Daizen Maeda and Emersonn are a very good attacking quartet, and the addition of Argentina international Exequiel Palacios in midfield will be brilliant.

Leeds: B

Very solid summer as Daniel Farke trimmed his squad a little and added real quality in the form of Harry Wilson, James Trafford, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic. There is a really good core group at Leeds, so they didn’t need to do much business. But what they did, they did well. The only question mark: will they ultimately need more cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top?

Liverpool: B-

Bit of a strange summer overall. It took months to sign Bradley Barcola for huge money, but they got it done and that is a huge deal and he’s a top player. New manager Andoni Iraola might be concerned about a lack of options in midfield and defense, though. Still, Barcola and Victor Munoz add even more firepower to their attack and Jeremy Jacquet looks a real talent at center back and Ronald Araujo adds defensive cover.

Manchester City: B+

In a summer where they lost incredible experience in Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake and John Stones, City went big to back new manager Enzo Maresca and they have a brand new midfield. Spending over $430 million on Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez (right at the deadline) is a massive statement, while Iliman Ndiaye and Allan add more creativity out wide. Overall, plenty of ins and outs as a new era begins and City’s squad is very strong while also bringing in a lot of money from selling fringe players.

Manchester United: C+

Midfield additions were key as Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos all arrived. Does that make them that much stronger? Perhaps, but it feels like some new defensive options were needed as well. Michael Carrick’s squad also has to contend with being back in the Champions League, which will push them to their limits. United feel a little light in numbers.

Newcastle United: B

What a huge summer of change for Newcastle, but the early signs under new manager Matthias Jaissle look good. Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali moving on hurt, but Newcastle got huge money for them. They have added real talent in several areas and their squad arguably looks a lot stronger with Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Nico Gonzalez ready-made stars, and Matias Fernandez-Pardo a slightly longer-term play at $70 million. It’s still early days, but they recovered well in the window after a tough start.

Nottingham Forest: C

Just a very boring transfer window for Forest, which is very unusual for them! In all seriousness, they had a big squad and new manager Oliver Glasner has trimmed it well while adding quality in Daniel Munoz, Ousmane Diomande, Xaver Schlager and Liam Delap. Losing Elliot Anderson was obviously a blow, but they spent the money well and look solid.

Sunderland: C+

Feels like they could have signed a few more players to help them cope with the grind of the Europa League, but a late flurry of deals boosted their grade. Kevin Danso is a really solid addition at center back. And both Malick Fofana and Dodi Lukebakio are huge talents out wide and will add extra cutting edge and creativity if those deals get over the line.

Tottenham Hotspur: B

A monster window for Spurs, but things will take some time to settle down under Roberto De Zerbi. Overall, they are stronger than at the start of the summer. Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke, Savio, Omar Marmoush, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi are all good signings on paper. It did feel like they panicked a little with some of their moves towards the end when they weren’t able to move as many players on as they would have liked, plus the fees they accepted for Cristian Romero and Djed Spence felt low. Anyway, a massive overhaul was needed and now it’s down to De Zerbi to build a team which can push for Europe.