Chelsea's Thiago Silva makes best new signings Premier League XI

As the Premier League is momentarily on pause for the Christmas period, we have decided now is the perfect time to take stock of the 2020/21 season so far.

For some players, this will be their first Christmas in England. For others it will be their first Christmas in a different part of the country. We have decided to take a look at which summer signings have hit the ground best so far this season.

In order to qualify, a new signing, loan or permanent, must have made at least seven appearances in the Premier League this season. It's time to run through the XI.

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) - 6.85 rating

After using four goalkeepers in the Premier League last season, establishing a No.1 shot-stopper was paramount over the summer. Aston Villa turned to Emiliano Martinez following a superb end-to-the-season with Arsenal and many supporters wish he never left the Emirates. Martinez has carried over last season's form to his new club and has impressively kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the division (7). Moreover, Villa have already equalled last season's tally for clean sheets in just 12 games in 2020/21 and Martinez has played a massive part in that.

Right-back: Matty Cash (Aston Villa) - 7.11 rating

There were some reservations whether Matty Cash had the defensive capabilities to play right-back in the Premier League but the former Nottingham Forest defender has made a flying start to life in his maiden top-flight campaign. Cash averages 2.5 tackles per game with a success rate of 75%. In fact, of players that have started at least five Premier League matches this season, Cash averages more tackles and interceptions combined per game than any other player (5.2).

Centre-back: Wesley Fofana (Leicester) - 7.25 rating

Eye-brows were raised when Leicester shelled out £30m on Saint-Etienne centre-back Wesley Fofana but the 19-year-old has enjoyed a remarkably consistent start to the season. Fofana has garnered a WhoScored rating above 7.00 in eight of his first 10 Premier League appearances. Clearly an exceptional reader of the game, only one player is averaging more interceptions per game than Fofana (2.8) in the Premier League this season.

Centre-back: Thiago Silva (Chelsea) - 7.04 rating

Many wondered whether Chelsea were doing the right thing by bringing 36-year-old Thiago Silva to the Premier League and his performances have even surprised his own manager, Frank Lampard. Chelsea's defence was their biggest weak point last season but with Silva on the pitch they look far more secure. It says a lot that he has already taken the captain's armband with Cesar Azpilicueta now forced to settle for a rotation role. Silva averages the most passes per game (89.3) in the Premier League this season and ranks second for success rate of those to have started more than five games (92.6%).

Left-back: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) - 7.28 rating

In just 11 Premier League appearances, Ben Chilwell has already illustrated just why Frank Lampard was prepared to sign the 24-year-old at all costs this summer. Chilwell's attacking endeavour's down their left hand side has added any extra dimension to their attack and he has already returned five goal involvements, just one short of his tally for Leicester last season from 16 fewer appearances.

Central midfield: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham) - 6.95 rating

Signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton for just £15m seemed a snip at the time and has proved just that since the start of the season. Hojbjerg has added steel to Tottenham's midfield and is everything Jose Mourinho wants in his midfield. With the Dane patrolling Tottenham's midfield, illustrated by a return of 2.9 tackles per game to rank in the top 10 in the league, the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min have the perfect platform to do what they do best further forward.

Central midfield: Allan (Everton) - 6.87 rating

Everton benefitted from Carlo Ancelotti's presence with a few of their transfers over the summer, including the arrival of Napoli midfielder Allan. Similarly to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Allan has added much needed grit and determination to Everton's midfield. It was a position they desperately lacked in last season and Allan has been superb in that regard. In fact, only two players average more tackles per game (3.4) than Allan in the Premier league this season. The 27-year-old is also capable of driving Everton forward, as illustrated by a return of 1.7 dribbles per game and success rate of 74.1%.

Right wing: James Rodriguez (Everton) - 7.63 rating

Allan was the signing Everton desperately needed by James Rodriguez's move from Real Madrid to Goodison Park was certainly the most eye-catching. In fact, it's arguably one of the most remarkable transfers in Premier League history. Rodriguez was an instant hit with the Everton fans and has six goal involvements in his first 10 league appearances. Of players to have started more than five league games this season, only Kevin De Bruyne (one every 101.2 minutes) is creating a clear-cut opportunity more frequently than Rodriguez (every 120.7 mins).

Attacking midfield: Ademola Lookman (Fulham) - 7.13 rating

Ademola Lookman's introduction to the Fulham first-team, following his summer move from RB Leipzig, coincided with the Cottagers' serious up-turn in form. Fulham have lost all four matches Lookman has not started in the Premier League, whereas they have taken points in six of the 10 matches he has started. The 23-year-old has played a direct hand in four league goals so far (two goals, two assists), while only three players are making a successful dribble more frequently than him (every 27.8 minutes).

Left wing: Timo Werner (Chelsea) - 7.13 rating

Timo Werner has not lived up to expectations so far this season but Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is certainly right to point out he is still causing their opponents problems. The Germany international has played a direct hand in eight goals in 14 league games this season, scoring four times, but has surprisingly just been found wanting in front of goal.  Werner has missed eight clear-cut goalscoring chances in the Premier League this season, but he did spurn 21 in the Bundesliga last season. Moreover, he has been denied by the woodwork more times than any other player in the league this season (5).

Striker: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 7.27 rating

Aston Villa have certainly addressed their problems at both ends of the pitch from last season with the arrival of Ollie Watkins adding to new goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Between Villa's five strikers last season they only scored six Premier League goals and Watkins is already on that tally from his first 12 appearances. He scored a hat-trick against Liverpool earlier in the campaign and his only real blemish is a missed penalty against West Ham.