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The Defensive Rock

A handful of fixtures into their debut top-flight season after the 2016/17 campaign, the Wearside club are performing admirably in fifth place. This represents their most impressive start to a Premier League campaign in 70 years. A significant portion of this positive form can be linked to their recent signings, and especially the brilliant Mukiele – widely regarded as the second-highest performing star this season.

Brought in for just 12 million pounds in the summer, the ex- RB Leipzig player was given his break when a first-choice player sustained an setback in the second match of the campaign. The experienced player has taken to the task, turning in a string of excellent performances. In his four outings, the side have earned a healthy points haul and conceded a mere a couple of goals. His strength and pace have been key to the squad's strong opening.

He goes for the ball aggressively (sitting high up for balls cleared per match in the division), successfully completes his battles (sitting ninth for challenges per match among defenders), and is one of just a handful of individuals in the division yet to be passed by a dribbler. The team pulled off a coup by acquiring a talent of his quality and skill at such a bargain price.

An Instant Hit

Kudus has made an immediate impact showing his quality after his big-money transfer. Just one teammate has a higher number of key passes than Kudus (several) in the division this term. Having been deployed in different positions at his old side, he has been placed on the right of the forward line and is excelling.

One quality that Kudus has carried over from his spell at his former club is his capability in individual scenarios. He leads the way for successful take-ons in the Premier League and is only second to a world-class forward in the continent's leading divisions.

In spite of his constant attacking contributions, he always remembers his defensive duties. He sits third in the team for interceptions per game. If Kudus can contribute a several finishes, his boss might just have a complete star on his roster.

Hugo Ekitiké

Among the stars brought in in a huge summer spending spree, the Frenchman has excelled. The striker has adapted to the team's style effortlessly, with several finishes and a single setup in his opening outings.

Ekitiké has embodied the notion that price tags are meaningless on the grass. He remained unfazed by the signing of a new forward for a unprecedented sum. Instead, he has welcomed the challenge, making a case to lead the attack. He commented, "We play at such a huge team, and I don't imagine any elite sides functioning with only a single attacker in their roster. It is good that a new forward is here. For me, at my age, I have many things to develop and learn."

Ekitike is occupying a squad with a forward who notched numerous strikes in the most recent Premier League seasons, but he is presenting his manager a difficult choice. That shows the extent to which remarkable he has been so far this term.

Florian Wirtz

Matters have not entirely worked out for Wirtz this campaign. The expensive signing is has not yet impress in his current colours. The player has not scored or assisted in a number of fixtures and a former star has expressed worries, commenting: "I don't think the balance of the side is optimal, and the obvious one that stands out is Florian Wirtz."

There is evidently an concern with Wirtz's end product, and the 22-year-old midfielder is needing an adjustment to adjust to the pace of the Premier League, regularly taking several contacts (he has the second-highest number of turnovers in the team). But it's early days. Wirtz is still adapting to a unfamiliar division and nation while playing a unfamiliar duty in a team that is transitioning, with the side experiencing a substantial squad overhaul this off-season.

There are causes for positivity. He heads the team in shot-creating actions and has created a greater number of chances than any other top-flight footballer this season in every tournament. He is runner-up for take-ons attempted and among the top three for runs into the final third and contacts in the attacking third. The goals and key passes will materialise.

The Patient Winger

A brief period into his debut on the opening weekend, Elanga had a great opportunity to register his debut strike for his side. But he was denied by the opposition keeper. That effort carried a high chance quality value, and it still represents the lion's share of his top-flight tally this campaign.

Elanga joined in the off-season with significant expectation after his major transfer. His output at his former club was reliable: 31 attacking returns in seventy-four top-flight appearances. So far, nevertheless, he has not replicated that output at his new club. Nine appearances have passed without a strike or setup.

The boss has been measured in his deployment of the side's third most expensive addition. Despite playing from the outset the opening pair matches of the season, he is has not begin a further Premier League fixture, with another player chosen while Elanga settles in his club.

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