The January transfer window once again saw records shattered in the Premier League, with Chelsea alone forking out north of £300million in another spending spree.
Their acquisition of Enzo Fernandez broke the previous highest amount ever paid by a British club, with Graham Potter’s side stumping up £107m for the World Cup winner.
A total of 65 players joined new clubs across the top flight at what is a crucial point in the season with many clubs eyeing a late push at both ends of the table.
But with all the money that was spent by 19 of the 20 clubs – Everton were the only side to make no signings at all – who has made an instant impact and who has struggled to live up to their billing?
Here Sportsmail takes you through 20 signings that have either instantly endeared themselves to supporters or started off their careers at new clubs on the wrong foot.
Joao Felix (left) and Enzo Fernandez (right) were two of Chelsea’s eight January signings
1. Leandro Trossard, Arsenal (£27m from Brighton)
Arsenal were quick to snap up Trossard from Brighton in a £27m switch after Mykhailo Mudryk snubbed the Gunners for Chelsea.
The Belgian forward has been quick to show any doubting fans why Mikel Arteta was so keen to sign him, with a goal and six assists in 12 appearances.
It took him four games to get into the starting line-up but he has started five of the six games since doing so in the Premier League, playing both on the wing and up front for the leaders, netting three first half assists against Fulham in a 3-0 win.
Success rating: A+
Leandro Trossard bagged three assists in the first half against Fulham in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory
2. Alex Moreno, Aston Villa (£13m from Real Betis)
Moreno came into an Aston Villa side that were in desperate need of quality down the flank with Lucas Digne cut adrift by Unai Emery, but he’s already shown flashes of what made him one of LaLiga’s most sought-after defenders.
Since arriving at Villa Park, Moreno has helped his side to five wins from nine, including two assists and four clean sheets in the process.
The 29-year-old has not been perfect – with an error leading to a goal against Leicester – but has proven himself a great passer of the ball and willing dribbler for Unai Emery’s side.
Success rating: B
3. Dango Ouattara, Bournemouth (£20m from Lorient)
With Bournemouth being roped into a scrap for survival, Ouattara’s effervescence in attack has been a much-needed addition to the Cherries, with three assists already to his name from eight games.
At just 20 the forward is far from the finished article, but was nonetheless the best player on the pitch against Liverpool with five dribbles as he ran Jurgen Klopp’s left-hand side ragged.
His three assists have contributed five of the eight points Bournemouth have won since his arrival.
Success rating: B+
Dango Ouattara has brought effervescence in attack to relegation-threatened Bournemouth
4. Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea (£107m from Benfica)
At £107m Fernandez came in with plenty of expectation on his shoulders, but the Argentine – who was named Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup – has slotted straight into Graham Potter’s midfield, and doesn’t look like leaving that spot any time soon.
He has missed just six minutes of league action and although assists are not crucial to his game, his lofted through ball for Kai Havertz’s goal at Leicester was sublime.
The youngster’s relentless tackling, precise passing and willingness to battle for every ball have made him an ever-present for Chelsea, and for good reason, too.
One of the biggest success stories from Chelsea’s up-and-down season.
Success rating: B+
5. Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea (£88m from Shakhtar Donetsk)
Chelsea’s second biggest signing at £88m, Mudryk has not quite had the same success in fitting in at Stamford Bridge, but of course he will be given plenty of chances to impress in the coming seven years of his mammoth contract.
Just one assist in six appearances – and that just a slightly awkward cushioned header – since his high-profile snub of Arsenal would justifiably leave some Blues fans regretting the fee paid for the Ukrainian.
But, as he showed on debut at Anfield in January, there is not a defender alive not quaking in their boots at his ferocious top speed.
Success rating: D
Mykhailo Mudryk cost Chelsea £88million in January but has only one assist to show for it
6. Benoit Badiashile, Chelsea (£35m from Monaco)
Much like Fernandez, Badiashile has slotted straight into the Chelsea XI, keeping four clean sheets at the back in seven starts, and has already supplied solidity and dependability under the high ball at 6ft 3.
The injury to Thiago Silva will have put Blues fans into a panic – and rightly so given how crucial he has been – but Badiashile’s concentration, ability to pick a pass and reading of the game have begun to make up for the Brazilian’s absence.
Success rating: B
7. Joao Felix, Chelsea (on loan from Atletico Madrid)
Another Chelsea signing to make their mark, Felix has started to impress on his short-term stay from the Spanish capital with a couple of goals in his seven matches.
Against Tottenham he was frequently dispossessed and picked up a straight red on debut against Fulham, but even in that match he looked elegant on the ball, and his ability to pick a pass in the final third has been a welcome change to a previously lacklustre Chelsea attack.
In-behind a striker is where he is at his best, and when played there he has reminded viewers why he cost Atletico Madrid £111m in 2019.
Success rating: B-
8. Georginio Rutter, Leeds (£36m from Hoffenheim)
Rutter arrived at Leeds as the club’s fourth-most expensive signing, but has given fans precious little to show for it, after seven Premier League appearances – six from the bench – and neither a goal nor an assist.
In his first and so far only start for the Whites he managed just a 31 per cent passing accuracy and lost the ball three times in a poor showing up top, and has not yet given Javi Gracia much reason to replace Wilfried Gnonto or Patrick Bamford – neither of whom have been in blistering form themselves.
Success rating: D
Georginio Rutter has managed just one start for Leeds since his £36m switch from Hoffenheim
9. Weston McKennie, Leeds (on loan from Juventus)
Leeds’ latest American addition, McKennie raised a few eyebrows when switching Juventus for Elland Road, but fans might perhaps be forgiven for wondering what drew him to one of Europe’s giants in the first place.
After nine appearances the midfielder is yet to score or assist, but has shown an alarming ability to get himself booked, picking up four cautions in just eight games.
Leeds hardly need one of their landmark signings picking up a suspension when they are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table.
Success rating: C-
10. Harry Souttar, Leicester (£15m from Stoke)
Leicester have been ravaged by defensive injuries, so the signing of Souttar will have come as something of a relief for Foxes fans, but that relief might have quickly turned to trepidation after the Australian’s own goal on debut.
The 6ft 5 tall defender, who shone at the World Cup has proven to be someway short of a monolithic presence at the back, and has failed to keep a single clean sheet for the Foxes, shipping 12 goals in seven games alongside Wout Faes – the club’s only outfield signing last summer.
Success rating: D
Harry Souttar’s move from Stoke has seen him let in 12 and score an own goal in seven games
11. Cody Gakpo, Liverpool (£44m from PSV Eindhoven)
Gakpo erupted as one of Europe’s leading stars this season at PSV Eindhoven, and with Liverpool beating nemesis Manchester United to his signature in January, it had looked a match made in heaven alongside Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah.
It was slow going for the Dutchman at first, without a goal in his first three in the league, but he has grown into his place in the side, scoring four goals in his last six.
Gakpo has also proven a willing runner and outlet in a side that have looked abnormally bereft of energy and effervescence up front.
Success rating: B
Cody Gakpo had a slow start at Liverpool but has four goals in his last six appearances
12. Marcel Sabitzer, Man United (on loan from Bayern Munich)
Sabitzer at first appeared to be something of an emergency signing following the long-term injury to Christian Eriksen, but Red Devils fans will now likely be keen for their side to hold onto the Austrian star beyond the end of his loan in summer.
Against Leeds he was impressive at the base of a two-man midfield with Fred and repeated his showing a week later against Leicester.
With Casemiro missing a total of seven games through red cards, Sabitzer could end the season as one of Manchester United’s key performers.
Success rating: B
13. Wout Weghorst, Man United (on loan from Burnley)
Where Sabitzer’s loan has been a hit, Weghorst’s has undeniably been a miss.
From touching the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign at Liverpool to an eight-game goalless run in the league, Weghorst has struggled to endear himself to the United faithful.
Fans and pundits alike have accused him of going missing in recent matches, and it would likely take a particularly special run of form before the end of the season for the club to consider taking him on a permanent basis.
Success rating: D
Marcel Sabitzer (L) and Wout Weghorst (C) have had varying success on loan at Manchester United
14. Anthony Gordon, Newcastle (£45m from Everton)
Gordon emerged as one of Everton’s best home-grown talents in years last season and was subject of big-money rumours from Chelsea, but lost his place under Frank Lampard and was shown the exit in January.
And since Newcastle decided to snap him up on a huge £45m, he has contributed 163 minutes of action in four games without a goal or assist.
Eddie Howe is perhaps one of the best-disposed coaches to help Gordon realise the potential he has, but he has not lived up to his billing in the slightest yet at St. James’ Park.
Success rating: D
Anthony Gordon has shown little of the promise he displayed following his £45m Newcastle move
15. Keylor Navas, Nottingham Forest (on loan from PSG)
Navas might count himself as one of the most underrated goalkeepers of his generation, but he arrived at the City Ground with instant success in a shutout against Leeds and produced five fine saves to keep Manchester City to just a draw.
His defence have not helped him out in recent games, and he has now conceded 14 goals in seven games, and at 36 is beyond his Champions League-winning best, but with Dean Henderson out injured the Costa Rican has been a valuable emergency stand-in for Steve Cooper’s side.
Success rating: B
16. Kamaldeen Sulemana, Southampton (£22m from Rennes)
Southampton forked out a club-record fee to sign Ghana’s Kamaldeen Sulemana in January, but have been left with very little to show for it as the man brought in to help guide them to safety is yet to score or assist at St Mary’s.
He showed signs of what he can do against Tottenham in a 20-minute cameo, and was impressive with the ball at his feet against Brentford, but he has got to start producing at the business end of the pitch if he is to have a hope of guiding the Saints to survival.
Success rating: C-
17. Carlos Alcaraz, Southampton (12.3m from Racing Club)
Argentina’s Carlos Alcaraz meanwhile has been a breath of fresh air in midfield for the Saints, and has brought drive, pace and energy to the side that looked to be sinking slowly and inexorably towards the Championship.
He already has two goals from central midfield, including a potentially priceless strike against relegation-rivals Leicester, and seems a great fit for the flowing and fast-paced football that interim manager Ruben Selles looks to be trying to implement at St. Mary’s.
Success rating: B+
Carlos Alcaraz has brought pace and energy – as well as drive – to the Southampton midfield
18. Pedro Porro, Tottenham (loan, future £42m fee from Sporting)
Pedro Porro’s performances for Tottenham since his January arrival have been almost as up-and-down as the transfer saga to sign him was.
A poor start to life in north London saw him dropped for the mistake-prone Emerson Royal for the next two games, but in the last two matches he has been one of his side’s best players.
An attacking wing-back by trade, he flourished against Southampton where he was afforded the space and opportunity to get two shots on goal free inside the box before his eventual goal, but it is with back to goal that he needs to improve.
Spurs’ inconsistency is what could cost them in the race for the top four, and his start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been little different.
Success rating: C+
Pedro Porro scored against Southampton but has been inconsistent at right wing-back for Spurs
19. Arnaut Danjuma, Tottenham (loan from Villarreal)
Arnaut Danjuma arrived at Tottenham with plenty of hype after impressing in LaLiga for Villarreal at the start of the season, but has not had the dream start to life at Spurs, featuring for just 11 minutes in the Premier League.
The Dutchman has been left on the bench as an unused substitute on six occasions, despite regular starters Richarlison, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski struggling for goals themselves alongside Harry Kane.
His glaring absence suggests something missing from his game in training that has put him instantly into Antonio Conte’s bad books.
Success rating: D
20. Matheus Cunha, Wolves (loan, Atletico Madrid)
Wolves’ centre forward struggles are fabled, and Matheus Cunha was brought in to provide some much-needed quality up top, but judging by the evidence of his first nine appearances might not have been the right addition.
Julen Lopetegui’s side are the joint-lowest scorers in the division, and it took Cunha nine outings to get his first for his new club in their dramatic 4-2 home defeat to Leeds.
Time is often afforded to players entering the top-flight to acclimatise to the pace and physicality, but time might be something Wolves cannot afford the Brazilian, who needs to get among the goals to go down as a success at the club threatened by relegation.
Success rating: C-