Premier League club transfer grades: Chelsea flourish where Man Utd falter

With the deadline for transfers from European clubs having now passes as far as the Premier League is concerned, the free WhoScored 2020 Transfer Guide is your one stop shop for the comings and goings in England's top-flight.

As well as running through every single new signing, assessing each team's business as a result, there are top stats, a best new signing XI and our pick of the bunch according to importance, value, biggest coup and biggest upgrade. Click the banner below to download for free.

Here we reveal the transfer grades dished out in the guide for each Premier League club and the reasoning behind some eye-catching marks...

Arsenal: B+

All in all the Arsenal squad now looks more dynamic and the blend between youth and experience is very strong. The additions of Thomas Partey and Willian allow Arteta to tinker with his tactics more freely both in preparation for and mid-matches, with the downgrade in backup keeper being the only real negative.

Aston Villa: A

It's hard to make a case for a club that has improved upon last season's squad in as many key departments as Aston Villa. They've improved on their previous quality in goal, at full-back, in midfield, out wide and up front, and you can't ask for much more than that. It's been a job extremely well done by the board!

Brighton: C-

While Seagulls fans would no doubt have liked more through the door, the club have shown real faith in a number of youngsters and the average age of the squad has been addressed. The new arrivals should certainly suit the approach under Potter and offer experience as well as allowing rotation in both the defence and midfield.

Burnley: D

Having seen three members of the squad leave on a free and only signed one player to compete for a start it’s difficult to make a case that Burnley can improve on last season’s admittedly excellent 10th placed finish. Whether Dale Stephens is an improvement on Jack Cork remains to be seen, so Clarets fans have reason to feel underwhelmed.

Chelsea: A

It’s difficult not to get excited at the prospect of Chelsea’s attack once all are fully fit, but the true test will be whether they can prevent the goals at the other end. Silva should ultimately prove a strong addition but clubs will target the veteran’s decreasing mobility and the step up from French football for both he and Mendy is stark.

Crystal Palace: C+

Having tailed off badly last season post-lockdown the squad was in need of some fresh blood and energy and Palace have addressed that need pretty well. The spine of the team has real experience but still lacks star quality so steering clear of a relegation battle like last season may prove a tougher task this time around.

Everton: A

The best window in recent history for the Toffees could perhaps only have been improved by adding competition at right-back but Everton’s starting XI is a vast improvement on last season. Rodriguez’s arrival in particular should see the club challenging for a European finish after a period of mid-table mediocrity.

Fulham: C

It’s a tough window to assess for Fulham, who have improved their squad but not to the level that they would perhaps need having been a somewhat surprising play-off winner. After the nightmare that was their previous window ahead of a Premier League campaign, many will feel Fulham have fallen into the same trap.

Leeds: B-

Leeds have spent relatively modest fees in the current market on players with international experience but perhaps missed out on that star quality signing having chased Rodrigo De Paul all summer. Nevertheless, there’s a good balance in terms of supplementing a tight squad from the past two seasons, which should prove sensible.

Leicester: B-

Following an excellent season last time around, albeit tailing off and out of the Champions League places, Leicester needed greater depth rather than any major work to their squad and have added just that. There is even more flexibility in the squad now and the quality to stand in for any key absentees where last season they struggled.

Liverpool: B+

Adding three players of quality to a title-winning squad for a little over £70m can only be seen as good business, but Liverpool have already looked exposed by a lack of natural depth at centre-back. While Fabinho can certainly fill in, a replacement for the outbound Dejan Lovren would have been welcome, as well as a stronger backup keeper.

Manchester City: B-

City have spent big to address their defence yet again and will hope that Ake and Dias can finally sure up an all too penetrable backline. The lack of replacement for Silva highlights the faith in Phil Foden but the midfield, aside from the majestic Kevin De Bruyne, still isn’t wholly convincing, and injury to Ederson would be disastrous.

Manchester United: C-

Having claimed United would have the financial muscle to make the most of the stresses other clubs face during the COVID-19 crisis, Solskjaer will have been left extremely disappointed by the efforts of the board. With Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham strengthening, United are at risk of taking a backwards step.

Newcastle: C+

Particularly weak at  full-back last season, Newcastle have addressed that issue on the left but not the right. However, the addition of Fraser and Wilson gives the side additional threat on the counter, which given their propensity to sit back and break should prove to be smart business, so an efficient if unspectacular window.

Sheffield United: B-

Squad depth was the order of the day at Brammall Lane and it’s been served up in spades with the arrival of six young and hungry players that will be keen to displace those ahead of them. Knowing that last season will be tough to match and their Premier League status isn’t assured, the approach from the Blades has been very smart.

Southampton: C+

The youngsters Southampton have signed should give the club some long-term stability and recruitment is generally pretty strong at St. Mary’s so the fans have reason to feel confident. However, a lack of depth on the flanks, both at full-back and the left wing could and indeed has left the squad exposed at the start of this season.

Tottenham: B+

Making big improvements in the full-back positions in particular, Doherty and Reguilon will also allow Spurs to experiment with a back three and offer more quality in attack. All eyes will be on Bale in a star-studded attack but there are still concerns about the heart of the back four, where Dier will feel he has a point to prove.

West Brom: C-

West Brom were defensively sound last season but lacked a cutting edge in attack at times and that still promises to be the problem. They lack a quality goalscorer at top-flight level and while the defence was strong in the Championship, their only centre-back that is proven in the Premier League is now 36 years old...

West Ham: D

To say it’s been a disappointing transfer window for West Ham would be an understatement. The  club toyed with relegation last season and while most of those around them have strengthened, The Hammers have stood still. Their continued unpredictability may save them over the season, but it could be a long one despite a strong start.

Wolves: C

In losing two hugely important players to the club’s rise to where they are now, Wolves fans will be hoping their new signings can adapt quickly, but that’s a big ask for many of the younger arrivals in particular. The team’s great strength has been their familiarity with their roles, so adding so many new faces is a risk.

For more analysis of each club's dealings and how they may lineup this season, download our free Premier League Transfer Guide in full.