Some clubs take pleasure in the fact that they breed talent rather than purchase it for big money from the other clubs. Ajax, for one, fall in that category. Monaco, too have done that in the last few years. However, most European supergiants don’t really have the scope to breed players from within their ranks because of the sheer pressure on them to keep winning.
And this is where signings come in. If done with careful evaluation, some signings could go on to change the course of the club by their abilities on the pitch. Like Alfredo di Stefano for Madrid and Johan Cruyff for Barcelona, some signings go on to echo in eternity.
And here are 5 signings that can change the fortunes of a club this summer:
#5 Naby Keita to Liverpool
The only that he lacks is aerial ability, otherwise I would have gone as far as claiming that he is the most complete midfielder in the world. Actually, scratch that, he IS the most complete midfielder in the world—regardless of his short stature.
Liverpool fans will always fondly remember their former captain, Steven Gerrard, for his well-groomed all-round abilities as a footballer. At his peak, the former England international could do almost everything from last-ditch tackles to scoring screamers.
Also read: Ranking all of Liverpool's summer transfer targets
Gerrard is no longer at Anfield, but if Naby Keita is nabbed from Leipzig, Liverpool will fill the gaping hole left by the departure of Stevie G. Keita is an excellent dribbler with great vision and passing abilities combined with tenacious defensive qualities.
His addition to the line-up improves every player on the pitch—and that is what could convert Liverpool from Champions League contenders to title challengers.
#4 Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona
While his younger compatriot, Mbappe, is being touted as the future Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembele is perhaps the more talented player. Indeed, when he runs with the ball glued to his feet, he gives the impression of a man on a mission to simply humiliate defenders.
Even after watching him for a prolonged period, most can’t determine his stronger foot as he can use both of them to dribble and shoot. In fact, even he gave a confusing answer when asked which foot is his stronger one.
If Barcelona sign him, they will have a player who can take Lionel Messi’s position on the pitch while the Argentine shifts to midfield and rejuvenates the creative aspect for Barca. The Frenchman already possesses the dribbling ability of the former Newell’s prodigy—falling short by just 0.4 dribbles-per-game when compared to Messi’s 3.6 dribbles-per-game last season.
While just signing Dembele alone is unlikely to solve all the problems in the side, it certainly will lug some of the gaps in midfield while not hampering the attack too much. Barcelona’s defence and bench strength will still not be up to the mark, but the signing of Dembele would be like killing two birds with one stone.
#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to AC Milan
This is more of a prodigal son returning home after wandering off into the wild and becoming stronger during his time out. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was once a Milan player, but was let go of because they thought he wouldn’t turn out to be a decent striker.
The presumption was terribly out of place as he is one of the most revered strikers in the game currently. While he might not possess many qualities, his blistering pace and accurate finishing makes him a lethal poacher that always keeps the defenders on their toes––and Milan need someone like that.
While the Rossoneri have signed the uber-talented Andre Silva, they have basically cancelled out the good move by acquiring the inconsistent Fabio Borini. Safe to say, Milan still need a striker to share the workload with the Portuguese youngster—and we all know Fabio Borini can never be that.
Aubameyang, however, can shoot them to glory instantly.
#2 Alvaro Morata to Manchester United
The transfer window might have only opened today, but this is a deal that has been hanging in the balance for ages—and it still hasn’t reached a conclusion. The only thing that is stalling the deal is the transfer fee and Morata has apparently cut his honeymoon short in order to quicken the process.
Now, let’s get one thing straight: Alvaro Morata has never been a starter for any of the clubs that he has played for in his competitive life. Now that this is off my chest, I can say without hesitation that he is a risky signing.
However, he is a risk worth taking.
In the few opportunities that he got for Real Madrid last season, he showed that he can be one of the best players in the world if a club is willing to provide him the starting role for a prolonged period. Despite not playing much, he finished last season as Real Madrid’s second highest scorer with 20 goals in all competition.
Morata is tall, quick and very good with the ball at his feet. His finishing is poor for a striker of his calibre, so that is something he has to improve, but other than that, Manchester United are basically signing a Spanish version of Ibrahimovic (with less swag, obviously—no one can have Ibra’s swag, no one).
#1 Kylian Mbappe to Arsenal
If this deal does go through, then the #WengerOut brigade will turn to #WengerIn brigade quicker than how politicians change after being elected for the post they campaigned. Given that Mbappe is being monitored by Real Madrid, getting him from under their nose would be special for the Gunners.
The French youngster has all it takes to become the next big star in football. He is fast, a good finisher, possesses brilliant attacking awareness and, above all, is mature. When someone sees him play, they would be forgiven for thinking that he is a veteran at what he does.
Ever since the departure of Thierry Henry, Arsenal have lacked a genuine goalscorer in their team. While Alexis Sanchez does bang them in quite often, he is not really a beast-mode goalscorer that Mbappe is or can be. And let’s not bring Olivier Giroud into this discussion. Please.
With the young Frenchman, Wenger might have to pay a world record fee, but he will have secured the frontline for the next 10 years at least. Provide Real Madrid don’t swoop in later.
