More than £3 billion ($4 billion) and 155 incoming transfers set high expectations across the Premier League this summer. Several recruits have settled quickly, but others have produced worrying initial returns that have left managers and supporters asking questions.

Everton’s Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal after a season that yielded 11 goals and four assists. The 22-year-old joined for £27 million ($36 million) with time to adapt, but he remains behind Beto, has made two Premier League starts, nine appearances in total and is still searching for his first goal or assist for the club. On two occasions he was substituted early: at half time at Anfield and after about an hour at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

West Ham’s £20 million ($26.7 million) signing Mads Hermansen began the campaign as Graham Potter’s first-choice goalkeeper but has endured a difficult start. The 25-year-old conceded 11 times in four appearances, sustained several high-profile errors and has dropped behind Alphonse Areola with Nuno Espírito Santo opting against an early recall.

Anthony Elanga moved to Newcastle for £55 million ($73.4 million) after scoring 18 goals for Nottingham Forest in 2024–25. The 23-year-old has made 10 appearances for the Magpies without a goal or assist and has oscillated between starting and the bench while competing with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.

Jean-Clair Todibo’s permanent move to West Ham cost £32.8 million ($43.8 million) after an obligation to buy. He has fallen out of favour following disciplinary issues under Potter and is unlikely to figure under Espírito Santo.

James Trafford returned to Manchester City for £31 million ($41.3 million) but is now behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and has been restricted to the bench following a difficult display against Tottenham Hotspur.

Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for a Premier League record £125 million ($166.9 million) but missed pre-season after a strike. Arne Slot has eased him in, using him alongside Hugo Ekitiké, with the record signing yet to reach expected levels.

Newcastle paid £55 million ($73.4 million) for Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but a knee injury means he is yet to play for his new club and has only two competitive appearances since the end of last season.

Chelsea’s £51.5 million ($68.7 million) addition Jamie Gittens has made seven appearances and three starts without making a major impact. At Liverpool, Milos Kerkez arrived for £40 million ($53.4 million) to succeed Andy Robertson but has made a sluggish start, was bullied on his debut by Antoine Semenyo and was hooked in the first half against Burnley as he edged toward a red card.

It remains early and circumstances differ across clubs, but the opening weeks have provided enough evidence to raise concerns about several high-cost recruits.

Premier League clubs combined to spend a record £3.19 billion during the 2025 summer window, and a number of arrivals have already influenced the opening months of the 2025/26 season.

Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony arrived from Bournemouth for £8 million and has become a central outlet in Scott Parker’s attack. The former Arsenal academy player has started both as part of a front two and out wide, and his four league goals currently lead Burnley’s scoring chart.

On Tyneside, the German forward has settled quickly. With Yoane Wissa nursing a knee injury, Woltemade has started up front and brought an immediate return of three league goals in four games, one of which included an extraordinary penalty. His unusual frame and aerial improvement have been noted by supporters.

West Ham’s recruitment has offered hope under Nuno Espírito Santo. El Hadji Malick Diouf, signed from Slavia Prague, has impressed as a one-on-one defender who delivers a dangerous cross from the left. He remains an up-and-down full back with clear potential.

Tijjani Reijnders produced an outstanding Premier League debut at Molineux and has since provided moments of quality, including the assist for Erling Haaland against Arsenal in September.

Martín Zubimendi was an early target for Mikel Arteta and has gradually displayed his class in the holding role. After a slow debut, he has shown his passing range and even contributed a memorable goal against Nottingham Forest.

Hugo Ekitiké has been arguably the most convincing of Liverpool’s summer recruits. The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward scored on his opening games against Bournemouth and Newcastle and has shown a willingness to drop in and combine, even if his league scoring has slowed in recent fixtures.

João Palhinha’s loan at Tottenham has been a robust addition. Thomas Frank leans on him heavily and the Portuguese midfielder leads Spurs with just over five combined tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes.

Sunderland’s Robin Roefs arrived from NEC Nijmegen, took the No.1 spot in preseason and has been a reliable shot-stopper. Only Dean Henderson has prevented more goals, and Roefs ranks fourth for success when attempting to claim the high ball.

Finally, Jack Grealish’s loan to Everton has begun well. He is joint-top of the assist charts and produced a last-gasp finish to end Crystal Palace’s 18-game unbeaten run before the international break.

Manchester City host Burnley at the Etihad Stadium following contrasting midweek cup results. City progressed in cup action while Burnley were stunned at home by League One Cardiff City. The fixture arrives with Manchester City seeking to restore momentum after a mixed start to the 2025/26 campaign.

Erling Haaland has been central to City’s early goalscoring, having scored six of their nine Premier League goals this term. He missed City’s cup game with a reported back injury that troubled him the previous weekend but has been given the all clear to play against the Clarets. FPL managers will be tracking Erling Haaland’s fitness incessantly up until Saturday morning, with Bunley (H) enticing many to use their ’Triple Captain’ chip.

Injury updates leave City without Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov. Mateo Kovačić has returned to training and is in contention to feature for the first time this season. Guardiola was particularly complimentary of Phil Foden and Savinho in his prematch press conference, and both players could be included in City’s starting XI.

Kyle Walker faces his former club for the first time since leaving the Etihad permanently in the summer. With Scott Parker expected to deploy a back five, Walker will likely operate as a conservative wing-back on the right.

Burnley will assess Jacob Brunn Larsen ahead of kick-off but will be without Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts and Zeki Amdouni. Lesley Ugochukwu was back in contention in midweek, though Parker could prefer summer arrival Florentino Luís alongside captain Josh Cullen in midfield.

Burnley have shown defensive resilience through five weeks of the season but arrive with a poor recent record against City, who have won the previous 13 meetings by an aggregate score of 46–2. City are likely to face a deep and compact Clarets block, with Jaidon Anthony offering a transition threat that must be managed.

Man City predicted lineup vs. Burnley (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Savinho, Foden, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland.

Burnley predicted lineup vs. Man City (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Walker, Laurent, Ekdal, Estève, Hartman; Tchaouna, Cullen, Florentino, Anthony; Foster.