Well that’s it ladies and gents, another transfer window done and it’s been an interesting one for the traditional top clubs.
For some, a show of real intention, for others a complete joke.
It seems strange, given the huge fees players are apparently worth, that it’s been the smallest for many years, with a total of “only” £1.04bn spent.
Arsenal were the biggest spenders (£156.8m) but what the hell have they done? Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares! That looks like a bunch of players Chelsea would loan out to second division teams in Europe.
Manchester United nearly matched the Gunners with a £133.7m outlay on Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo… Sancho (or Sanchohdear as I like to call him) had what could be described as the worst-ever Premier League debut a couple of weeks ago.
He’s obviously a talented kid, but the Premier League is a very different environment and (as with Kai Havertz) might take him a season to bed in? If at all… it was that bad.
Varane will also need time, he was lost against Wolves, didn’t know which way to turn.
And then there’s Ronaldo. Yeah I get it, bring a legend back for good vibes and all that, but do they really need him?
It’s clear that United are desperate for a solid holding midfielder. Why didn’t they jump on Saul Niguez, who went for an absolute steal?
As it stands, that Willian wannabe Fred and the sloth Nemanja Matic will probably need to fill the space for most games this season.
And for me, that’ll be the undoing of any potential title challenge.
I think Jack Grealish to City was a positive move, not that they needed him, but he will bring a spark and even more depth.
Liverpool were surprisingly quiet, with just the one acquisition, Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, a really talented kid with a lot of promise. I guess paranoia following the loss of centreback’s last year prompted the deal.
And then there’s Chelsea… I have to be honest and say, the jury is still out on Romelu Lukaku. Of course I support him and want him to do the job he’s been brought in to do, but after a dynamic (second) debut at the Emirates, he looked very much like the Lukaku of old at Anfield two weeks ago.
The last-minute deal for Niguez came as a surprise and relief given the need for an extra body in midfield. On paper the Blues now have two teams of 11 capable of competing at the top end.
Chelsea sold, loaned or released 29 players! In the process picking up around £95m in fees, again putting the club as the lowest net spenders amongst Europe’s elite.
What a magnificently run club we are.
I’ve been bored out of my brains this weekend, how the hell do they stick an international break right at the start of the season just as everyone’s finding their stride?
Anyway, it’s back to business this weekend coming with a couple of decent fixtures to look out for.
There’s a relegation clash at 4pm on Saturday (Arsenal v Norwich). SURELY three points to get Mikel Arteta moving?
At the same time, Leicester host City which should be a cracker and on Sunday (5.30pm) a proper tasty clash as Liverpool go to Leeds. Now if you wanna feel an atmosphere tune into that!
In the meantime good people, stay safe, get vaxed, keep your distance, mask-up and wash dem handies… Chat next week.