Albion have one of the top ten – sixth, actually - summer signings of the season so far.

That is according to Ben McAleer of whoscored.com writing for The Guardian.

The man in question has been involved in four goals (two scored, two assists) and is also working hard off the ball, which is partly illustrated by his 2.9 tackles per 90 minutes.

Good signs – but there are two things which should be pointed out.

It is still early in the season. And the player being praised is not wearing a Seagulls shirt.

Facundo Buonanotte, on loan at Leicester City, is the Albion player picked out in a list which is topped by Jadon Sancho at Chelsea.

But neither of those provisos is necessarily a bad thing.

Buonanotte is having chances he might not have had at Albion.

He is making progress, learning lessons and his parent club will be the ones who really benefit.

The fact he is making so many tackles might be related to the fact the Foxes stand 17th for possession share on 42%, compared to Albion in fourth with 59%.

But he is obviously doing his graft – and work off the ball is something Fabian Huerzeler always mentions as a priority when he is asked about attacking players.

So far so good. But what about the newcomers at Albion? Do we need to be excited or concerned about their progress so early in the season? The first of those reactions is permissible but it is too early for the second.

Using that same stats-based whoscored.com formula, the most productive Albion newcomer so far is Yankuba Minteh. But he ranks only ninth among the Albion squad – on a list headed by Danny Welbeck. So what of Albion’s summer additions so far?

Yankuba Minteh

Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to Minteh js the criticism he started to receive a few games into the season. That showed how expectations had quickly been raised by his performances in pre-season, starting with two superb finishes in Japan and continuing with his work to win a penalty at QPR.

There have been comments about his first touch and end product, but Minteh has probably had a big impact sooner than expected.

The fact Simon Adingra has had to compete so hard for a start underlines that. And his goal to spark the comeback against Tottenham was well taken. There will be highs and lows with wingers but all the time he does his work off the ball he will be a key man for Huerzeler.

Georginio Rutter

Regarded as the second best summer signing so far in the stats-based ratings.

But with Rutter (like Minteh), it is about what is behind the stats.

The goal at Chelsea and the assist against Tottenham were based on determination and hunger.

We quickly saw the footwork for which he is known when he went on as sub against Manchester United.

Doubts over his finishing were not helped by the mess he made of a header which would probably have handed Arsenal defeat at the Emirates.

But the way he has taken the opportunity given by Joao Pedro’s injury is exactly what you need in a squad hand.

Especially in a game where players tend to get injured.

Yasin Ayari

Not a signing but an addition to the squad after his season away on loan.

It feels like he will have to be ready for chances because he will not be a regular but he may well be thrown in at short notice in the hour (and a half) of need.

All the time he is willing to play that role – and it appears he is – he is a very handy man to have around, with a big future.

Mats Wieffer

He has told Dutch media he has got up to speed with the Prem but that it was a bit of culture shock.

Is he right up to the pace on a regular basis, though? Or can he impose himself more?

We have seen some of his best, on the ball and patrolling ahead of the defence. But, not helped by injury, it is still early days with better to come.

Ferdi Kadioglu

He already has a winning goal to his name and has at times looked a livewire – and capable of good delivery into the box.

Again, very early days but it feels at the moment that, like Valentin Barco, he is a better option in a more attacking role than at full-back -certainly in the way the collective have functioned, leading to the back line being exposed.

Brajan Gruda

Huerzeler showed confidence by throwing him in for his debut in the closing stages as Tottenham chased an equaliser and things got frantic.

Could it be we see more of him against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup if not before?