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#3 Inter Milan
Not long ago, Inter Milan were celebrating their league title victory under Antonio Conte's management.
Now, Conte is gone. Superstars Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi have both been sold, and the Nerazzurri have begun the new season with Simone Inzaghi as their manager.
Inter Milan have signed Edin Dzeko and Joaquin Correa to replace Lukaku's output, while Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries has been signed as Hakimi's replacement. However, Hakimi and Lukaku are two of the best players in their position right now, and the new signings will have a tough job replacing the fan favorites.
Inzaghi's job is not easy, either. The Italian has joined after a successful stint with Lazio, but Inter Milan fans will be keen to replicate last season's success. With Juventus having reappointed Massimiliano Allegri as boss, the Nerazzurri will have to be at their very best in order to enjoy a good season.
#2 Arsenal
Arsenal have spent nearly £150 million this summer, the highest by any club across Europe. But one is left wondering how wisely they have spent that money.
Centre-back Ben White has joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion for nearly £53 million. White is a good centre-back with the potential to be a starter for the England national team. But spending in excess of £50 million for a 23-year old defender when there are other areas of the squad that need to be improved is questionable strategy.
Similarly, the Gunners have signed goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United for £25 million. Ramsdale did not enjoy the best of seasons last time around in the Premier League and will compete with Bernd Leno for the no.1 spot. Spending £25 million on a goalkeeper who has been relegated twice in successive seasons and is initially going to be second-choice also makes little sense.
There are some positives, however, with Martin Odegaard bound to improve Arsenal's lack of creativity in midfield. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga are all talented young players who could prosper in the future. However, Arsenal's disjointed transfer policy was once again on display during this transfer window.
#1 Barcelona
Barcelona let go of arguably the greatest player to have played the game on a free transfer. This was the result of poor decisions made over a long period of time. Lionel Messi's departure was shocking, but Barcelona can only blame themselves for the mess they are in right now.
Antoine Griezmann has also returned to Atletico Madrid. The same Griezmann, for whom Barcelona paid £108 million in 2019, has now gone back to the Wanda Metropolitano after winning a solitary Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
Memphis Depay is a good player and Barcelona did well to sign him on a free transfer. But that seems to be just about the only immediate positive at the moment for the Blaugrana. It looks unlikely that Sergio Aguero will make an appearance for Barcelona anytime soon. Luuk de Jong's deadline day arrival on loan is further proof of how mangled Barcelona's transfer policy is. Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong are now Barcelona's no.9 options.
The additions of Eric Garcia and Yusuf Demir seem smart, but the jury is still out on both youngsters. Barcelona also re-signed Emerson Royal from Real Betis, only to let him leave for Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day. All of this goes to prove that the Catalans have endured quite a disastrous summer in the transfer market.
Also Read: Ranking the 5 best defenses in the Premier League this season
