Ozil, Flamini, Moses, Fellaini and Lukaku... so, who cleaned up in the window?

The dust is starting to settle and this season is shaping up to be the most open and exciting for years.

Signing the right players and the right staff is now so important. The transfer window is almost like another fixture - you have to win that first battle to put down an early marker for the season.
After six games, squads have had time to get to know each other and we are starting to see who have been the smartest shoppers.



Boost: Mesut Ozil's arrival has galvanised Arsenal

Mesut Ozil's arrival at Arsenal galvanised the whole club and with the defensive balance given by Mathieu Flamini they are flying. After losing Gareth Bale, Spurs bought well and have a much stronger squad.
Victor Moses has been a bit-part player for a lot of his career so it's almost as if he's grateful to be playing again at Liverpool. He has explosive pace and power and he fits into Brendan Rodgers' style. It's another case of a manager believing in his players and his players rewarding that faith.

It's the same at Everton with Romelu Lukaku. People will be scratching their heads over why Chelsea let him go out on loan - and there must be more to it than just football reasons. He is such a powerful player, he bullies defenders and he's got intelligence in his play.
He's the closest they will get to replacing Didier Drogba, but Jose Mourinho might not think he fits into Chelsea's style. Now he is playing in a good Everton side, which is excellent for Roberto Martinez and for him.




Explosive: Liverpool's Victor Moses





Loan star: Everton's Romelu Lukaku



Two of the promoted sides also did well with transfers and have made promising starts. Cardiff improved the spine of their team significantly with Steven Caulker and Gary Medel. Caulker has played for England and Medel at the highest level in Spain, so they represent a step up in quality.

Hull have also made a bright start and fully deserved their victory at Newcastle. They strengthened their squad and have been brave enough to come into the league and play. They could do with extra quality up front but have real momentum and must now feel they belong at this level. The opposite is true at Crystal Palace. They haven't looked comfortable on the ball and their signings have not offered much improvement.




Step up: Cardiff City's Steven Caulker

Of course it helps if your signings actually play. West Ham spent £15.5m on Andy Carroll but he has not featured once this season.

However the most obvious transfer troubles are at Manchester United. They missed out on several targets and Marouane Fellaini has not looked 100 per cent. David Moyes is struggling to find him a role in his side and you have to ask: where does he add value?

But it's not just about signing top players; the staff are just as important.

I understand why Moyes brought in his own coaches and added Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville, but I would have kept on at least one of Sir Alex's men. I did a managerial course with Mike Phelan (left, with Fergie) and he knows all about the club and its traditions. He could have worked with the young coaches to provide continuity and not having his knowledge in the dugout is a big loss.

                                                    Spotlight on... Mathieu Flamini

Age: 29, Arsenal midfielder
Mesut Ozil might be getting the headlines for Arsenal, but let's not underestimate the role of Mathieu Flamini.
It's no surprise that he has given the team a defensive balance and he is now a key component of their midfield engine room.
He has profited from the environment that Arsene Wenger creates for his former players.
They can come back to train and this actually gives the club an advantage - they can get a good look at the player.

Arsenal's fitness coach Tony Colbert was impressed so Wenger signed Flamini on a three-year deal.
It was a proper signing, not just a short-term fix.
He's returned a more mature player and his performances make you wonder why no other clubs were looking at him.