Wayne Rooney has named Newcastle United striker Hugo Ekitike and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka as the two best signings in the Premier League this season, though his assessment contains a significant factual error regarding Xhaka’s club.
Speaking on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United forward praised the impact of the two players. “Ekitike and [Granit] Xhaka at Sunderland have probably been the two best signings in the Premier League. I really enjoy watching Ekitike play,” Rooney stated.
The remark highlights the notable influence of specific transfer acquisitions in the current campaign. Both players have been key figures for their respective teams since moving during recent transfer windows.
Hugo Ekitike, 21, joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer 2023 window. The French striker has exceeded expectations, becoming a vital attacking asset for Eddie Howe’s side. His physical presence, hold-up play, and goalscoring—including crucial strikes in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League—have provided a new dimension to Newcastle’s forward line,弥补ing the loss of key players through injury.
Granit Xhaka’s situation, however, differs from Rooney’s suggestion. The Swiss international did not join Sunderland. Instead, he left Arsenal after seven years to sign for German club Bayer Leverkusen in May 2023. In his first season with Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, Xhaka has been a cornerstone of the midfield. His leadership, passing range, and tactical intelligence have been instrumental in Leverkusen’s historic and dominant campaign, where they hold a significant lead in the Bundesliga and remain in the UEFA Europa League.
The context of their arrivals is key. Ekitike’s loan was a strategic move to provide competition and cover for Newcastle’s strike force. Xhaka’s transfer represented a new chapter after a divisive but impactful tenure in North London.
Rooney’s comments underscore a broader narrative of the 2023/24 season: the decisive impact of shrewd, often overlooked, recruitment. While Ekitike’s contributions are directly within the Premier League, Xhaka’s move—though to a foreign league—has been so transformative it resonates in discussions about top transfers involving Premier League clubs as sellers.
Ultimately, the performances of both players illustrate how well-chosen signings, whether permanent or loan, can redefine a team’s season. Ekitike’s immediate impact at Newcastle and Xhaka’s central role in Leverkusen’s title challenge serve as benchmark cases for effective squad building, regardless of the transfer window in which they were secured. Their successes will undoubtedly be analysed by clubs globally as a template for maximizing value from the transfer market.
