EPL Summer Transfers – Part 1

The transfer window is the period when speculations, rumors and, obviously, actual transfers of players happen between clubs. The most eye-catching and mind-numbing part are the rumors and the speculations. We have various presses all around the world presenting their views on the players, quotes and clubs. We have some players releasing statement regarding their contract situation, rebelling with the managers and skipping the pre-seasons. But I want to concentrate on the actual transfers that have taken place and how their arrival can affect the English Premier League. The most exciting transfers have been that of Eden Hazard, Lukas Podolski and Shinji Kagawa.

Eden Hazard was courted by almost all the big clubs before he signed for Chelsea

Hazard is not only exciting but also a player every club would like to have in their team. The fact that almost all the big clubs and their managers personally watched him play in France, says a lot about his demand. He is fast, technically top class, extremely fit and strong for his diminutive figure and has a good reading of the game. He can fit into any team and in any kind of playing style. EPL will be a step up for him, but I expect him to be star performer for Chelsea. In the pre-season, he has been handed a role behind the striker, but I would like him to start from the wings where he can dribble past opponents in the one on one situations.

Who doesn’t know Lukas Podolski and his lethal left foot? The Polish-born German striker with an experience of more than 100 international caps was the first and the most efficient signing Arsenal made. He is the perfect signing Arsene Wenger made. When someone has a deadly left foot, proven goal scoring record and world class quality, you have to believe that he will be a success. It looks more likely that he may start on the left side of the attack, but I won’t be surprised to see him play as a second striker later in his Arsenal career.

As one would expect, Manchester United got their target early in Shinji Kagawa. He was a revelation for Dortmund and is an exceptional player and can hurt any team on his day. Manchester United missed an attacking midfielder in their team and Kagawa is the man in form for this role. For a typical Asian physique, he has very good stamina and vision. He has excellent control on the ball and is clever enough to sneak a through-ball for Rooney. He should bring a lot of quality to the counter attacks of Manchester United. Apart from the exciting trio, there have been other quality signings in Oscar, Giroud, Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen. There has not been other significant movement in the transfer window, apart from players moving from one small club to another.

This season, we will also get to see teams trained and guided by the new managers and their philosophy. Spurs have the made most signinga till now in EPL, and they are in the crucial areas. With AVB back in EPL, it will be interesting to see how Spurs line up will look. In Vertonghen, they have signed a solid defender who can play the high line for AVB. Moving north, Liverpool also signed an exciting manager, Brendan Rodgers. His work with Swansea City and their style of play was the talk of the season and will be no different with Liverpool. Again, how Liverpool sets up under him will be interesting to watch at the start of the season.

The transfer window doesn’t close soon and I am sure we will witness few more quality and exciting signings before the end. May be these signings will go a long way in predicting the performance of respective clubs. Wake up Manchester City!!!