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With curtains falling down on the wheeling and dealing of players, some clubs have come out with shrewd purchases, whereas some have fallen behind due to their inactivity. The recent 5.5 billion GBP mother of all TV deals has fattened up the coffers of the clubs, loosening their wallets in the transfer market.
Here is a pick of the major team’s transfer round ups and the best of the rest.
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The euphoria following Ozil’s deadline day club record signing masks the other failures for Arsenal in the transfer window. Although Ozil adds quality, a striker was definitely needed to provide quality and competition to Giroud. A central defender and a combative midfielder were also needed, as these areas look light in numbers.
Instead of the doomed pursuits of Suarez and Higuain, Arsenal should have tailed more realistic targets and started their work much earlier. Maybe their performance in the window sheds some light on Wenger’s inability to compete in the modern transfer market. Although Ozil is a world-class addition, Arsenal have a real battle ahead of them to finish in the top 4.
Rating: 6/10
A net spend of over 50 million has beefed up the Chelsea squad. With the addition of Andre Schurrle and Willian, and the existing presence of Mata, Hazard and Oscar, there is no shortage of creativity behind their forward line. Samuel Eto’o has been signed, indicating a lack of confidence in Torres and Ba. Essien’s return adds depth to their midfield. However, both Essien and Obi Mikel are some way off the pace and quality required from a combative midfielder.
This is an area that should have been addressed, as a team full of creative talent desperately needs a genuine presence to screen the defence. Torres and Ba could have been moved out (although their high wages may have been a hurdle) and another top forward should have replaced them. Lukaku’s loan move is frustrating to the neutrals, as Mourinho seems to show little confidence in the talented Belgian. Mourinho’s second tenure is going to be much harder, and their transfer activity leaves much to be desired.
Rating: 6/10
Everton
Everton have made a straight forward replacement for Fellaini by bringing in the talented McCarthy. The loan signing of Lukaku and the signing of Aruna Kone will finally provide Everton with a consistent goal threat. Gareth Barry’s loan signing adds quality and depth to the midfield. In short, Everton have done well and I expect them to do well this season with their purchases.
Rating: 8/10
A net spend of just 16 million has resulted in a host of changes. Liverpool’s defence, which was under the scanner last season, has been beefed up by the purchases of experienced Kolo Toure and the promising duo of Sakho and Ilori. Victor Moses’ deadline day loan purchase adds much needed depth to their frontline. Besides the signings, Liverpool have done well in clearing some of the high earners such as Downing, Carroll, and Reina.
However, a further addition in midfield could have been added. Even though Liverpool failed to get a “marquee” signing, their squad looks much better post the transfer window. With a wonderful start to the season and added numbers, Liverpool will have few excuses if they do not finish in the top 4 this season.
Rating: 7.5/10
The influence of Txiki Begiristain and the upside of having a sporting director have been evident. City has made robust buys to strengthen and mount a title challenge. The collective 100 million spent on Navas, Negredo, Joveti? , Demichelis and Fernandinho and the ease with which these “A-list” players have been signed is a drastic improvement as compared to last season’s panic buys of mediocre talent.
Rating: 8.5/10
After years of outcry and desperate calls for a midfielder, United finally signed Fellaini on deadline day, with that being their only significant activity in the transfer market. It remains to be seen whether Fellaini is the missing piece in the United’s midfield, or was it a more creative player that will be required.
This United squad has very few regular goal threats and hence a striker could have been added to relieve the goal-scoring pressure on Van Persie. The likes of Ashley Young and Nani could have been shipped out in favour of more consistent signings, but maybe David Moyes has better ideas to get the best out of them.
Rating: 6/10
Spurs have brought in Paulinho, Chadli, Soldado, Capoue, Chiriches, Lamela and Eriksen for a combined spend of more than 100 million pounds while losing Gareth Bale for a world record fee. Although Bale single handedly led Spurs last time in their failed Champions League quest, the Spurs squad looks much better across all departments after these transfers.
Although it will take a considerable amount of time for Villas-Boas to shape the new look team into his tactics, this team is filled with youth and talent. Eriksen and Lamela are potential world-class players, and Spurs have done well to land them. Spurs have come out stronger due to their shrewd and liberal spending this summer.
Rating: 9/10
Best of the rest
Norwich City
Norwich and Chris Houghton have been given sufficient praise for the transfer dealings. Being an established premier league side, Norwich have gradually spent in excess of 20 million. Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s capture from a financially stressed Sporting Lisbon has been the marquee buy. Besides the Dutchman, Gary Hopper and Johan Elmander’s captures has transformed their front line from the Grant Holt led side last season.
Leroy Fer adds attacking impetus to the midfield. Nathan Redmond’s purchases further highlight the club’s policy of buying young talent with a substantial resale value. With an already established defence, and an improved midfield and front line, the cautious Houghton is expected to be more adventurous this season.
Rating: 8/10
Southampton
Probably the shrewdest dealers in the summer window. Spending a collective 35 million on the trio of Lovren, Wanyama and Osvaldo has seen the Saints strengthening in all the areas on the pitch. Dejan Lovren brings in much needed strength to a defence that was all over the place last season, whereas Wanyama (who still has much to prove) adds the steel to a silky midfield.
On the other end, snapping up an Italy international who scored 16 goals in Serie A is remarkable to say the least. With the added strength come the increased expectations. Saints squad looks much stronger this season with sufficient creativity and goals in it. Anything less than a top half finish will be deemed as a failure, thereby putting Pochettino under the scanner this year.
Rating: 8/10
Swansea City:
Money was made available to Laudrup, with which quality and promising additions such as Wilfred Bony and Jonjo Shelvey have been made. It remains to be seen how the new players are knitted into their playing style.
Rating: 7/10
