How Successful Was Reading FC's Summer Transfer Window Business In 2016? Part 2

We continue our look back on the transfer business done by Reading FC last summer, casting our eyes on those tasked with creating and scoring goals.

You can read part one here.

---

John Swift (Undisclosed fee - Rumoured £1m)

2016/17 Appearances: 42 (9 Goals)

TTE Average Rating: 5.9

Initially, this looked as if it had the potential to be one of our greatest signings in years. After arriving from Chelsea, Swift started the season in fantastic form, bagging key goals against Preston, Barnsley & Brighton that left us salivating at what might come next from a man who was still just 21.

Yet an injury while away with England's Under 21's threw a spanner in the works and there was a feeling that Swift never really got back up to full speed. Perhaps tiredness set in but Swift ended the season with a miserable run of scores in our player ratings and his performances across the play-offs were sadly the most disappointing of any player.

That limp end to the campaign shouldn't cloud over what was still a very impressive year from a talented player but Swift now has a few questions to answer heading into his sophomore season.

Verdict: Hit

---

Sandro Wieser (Free Transfer)

2016/17 Appearances: 0

TTE Average Rating: 5.9

Wieser could provide a very good quiz question in years to come, as he somehow managed to play four games for his country without making a senior Royals appearance. Our first ever Liechtenstein International arrived on a free at the end of the window but failed to make a single first team appearance, with his only action in a Reading shirt coming in two EFL Trophy games, one of which saw him sent off against Yeovil.

Stam claimed that Wieser was dealing with a string of niggling injuries but whatever the case, this has to go down as a dud so far.

Verdict: Miss

---

Callum Harriott (Undisclosed fee - Rumoured £300k)

2016/17 Appearances: 17 (3 Goals)

TTE Average Rating: 5.9

Harriott was always going to find displacing the likes of Garath McCleary tough but the former Charlton winger gave it a good go and finally looked to be a regular starter when he picked up a season ending injury in the fogged off game with Fulham in December.

Before then we'd seen glimpses of real talent from the midfielder, particularly with two exquisite strikes against the MK Dons in the EFL Cup and another decent effort against Norwich in a 3-1 win at the Madejski Stadium.

Callum is likely to miss the start of this season following further surgery but so far he's shown enough promise to consider this move a success so far.

Verdict: Hit

---

Joseph Mendes (Undisclosed fee)

2016/17 Appearances: 16 (3 Goals)

TTE Average Rating: 6

A man who had become a cult hero for all the wrong reasons before becoming an ever bigger cult hero for all the right reasons. Before Reading's trip to Villa Park in April, Mendes was being talked about in the same tones as Wieser and Gravenberch but his stunning two-goal performance in a key game turned all that on its head.

While only one goal followed for the 26-year-old, he'd done just about enough to be considered a viable option going into this season. While not quite a success, the move has ventured into so-so territory.

Verdict: So-So

---

Yakou Meite (Undisclosed fee)

2016/17 Appearances: 15 (1 Goal)

TTE Average Rating: 5.7

The 21-year-old is still very raw but that's what we expected when the forward arrived from PSG. Still, he did enough to make a full league debut and plenty of sub appearances, capped by his first goal in professional football at Derby in January.

Meite still has plenty of work to do before he can be considered a regular starter at Championship level but he has all the raw tools needed to become a very good player. The key now is for the Frenchman to knuckle down and prove he's got what it takes.

Verdict: Jury's out

---

Roy Beerens (Undisclosed fee - Rumoured £850k)

2016/17 Appearances: 43 (7 Goals)

TTE Average Rating: 5.8

As I wrote for his fellow Dutchman Joey van den Berg, Beerens was also capable of moments of sublime skill, followed by performances where you barely noticed he was on the pitch.

The winger certainly earned us a fair few points last season but there was a growing suspicion as the season wore on that his work rate was lacking and that his inconsistencies were playing a part in a general lack of goals for the team.

A bit like Joey, Roy seems a good player to have around the squad to plug in for certain games but we need an upgrade if we really want to challenge the top two.

Verdict: So-So

---

Final Results

Hits (4): Jaakkola, Moore, Harriott, Swift

So-So (4): Van den Berg, Beerens, Mendes, Blackett

Misses (2): Gravenberch, Wieser

Jury's Out (1): Meite

For my money (#gambleaware) the Stam/Tevreden combination enjoyed a good but not spectacular opening summer transfer window together. In Swift & Moore they picked up two players who could be among the league's best but otherwise there's a feeling we've not really upgraded a great deal. Harriott, Blackett, Meite and Jaakkola could easily tip the balance though if they go on to make big impressions next season and beyond.

Van den Berg and Beerens did what they needed to do, while Mendes also had his moment in the sun but the trio are all looking under threat this summer as Stam tries to get us one place higher in the table to finish.

As for Gravenberch and Wieser... well, everyone strikes out occasionally.

So what did you think? How would you rate last summer's transfer business? Vote in the poll or leave your comments below.