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As the transfer deadline came to a close on English and European shores last night, many clubs were still looking to conduct their business and squeeze out last minute deals. A few clubs made a statement of intent right at the start of July while others needed to be put to the sword to ensure they make quality additions to the squad. As cheque books close and the players put pen to paper, the bragging rights now move to the pitch as we await to see if the millions spent bear fruition.
The top teams in the English Premier League never stay out of the spotlight in money matters and yet again have had quality players come and leave the most popular league in the world.
The champions of last season have let their fans down a bit with their involvement in the market this year. The new management hardly had any time to settle in and learn the “United Way” before they had to brace themselves for a series of bids and speculation over Wayne Rooney. The club spent many a day in vain chasing Cesc Fabregas before admitting defeat in landing the Barcelona man. There were other names associated with Manchester United throughout the window but nothing substantial materialized.
A draw at home against Chelsea and a loss away to bitter rivals Liverpool awoke Moyes from his slumber and United set to do business. By this time it was pretty much deadline day, most of which they spent chasing Athletic Bilbao midfield destroyer Ander Herrera, whom they eventually could not capture.
They did, however, land another midfielder in Marouane Fellaini who will reunite with his former Everton manager and should significantly boost the United midfield. The Hererra fiasco ensured that Moyes would have little time to look elsewhere with the clock running down, thus rendering him unable to provide a deputy for Patrice Evra at left-back though they looked to seal a late loan deal for Fabio Coentrao.
That being said, United have maintained the core of their team from last season and boast of the best center forward in the country. Not having lost Wayne Rooney to domestic rivals is also a task well done for the Red Devils and they look good for a strong finish again in the Premier League.
Transfer Score: 6/10Manchester City
The “noisy neighbours” have been giants in the transfer window for a few seasons now and the Oligarch-funded club made waves in the transfer window and initially splashed the cash on quality additions to their front line. Manuel Pellegrini was quick to stamp his authority on the club, getting rid of the bad egg in the basket in Carlos Tevez and strengthening the squad.
Having loosened their purse strings early on, they landed their targets swiftly with Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Stefan Jovetic and Alavero Negredo arriving in the span of a month. Each of them may have commanded an exorbitant transfer fee but there is no denying that almost all of them could walk into the first team at Manchester City right now. A surprise loss to Cardiff invoked an immediate response from the Chiliean as he signed Martin Demichelis to shore up his back line.
Having retained a good squad from last season, there is little surprise City are the bookmakers’ favourite for the English Premier League this season. Lady Luck has smiled on their Champions League ambitions as well and they should be targeting a deep run in Europe this time around.
Transfer Score: 8.5/10
Chelsea
Having gone the complete loop in a decade of football under Roman Abramovich, Chelsea are back right where they started and the England welcomes back “The Special One” with open arms. The spotlight was clearly focused on him, thus letting Chelsea’s early bird signings of Andre Schurrle and Marko Van Ginkel go under the radar. They were not the typical flashy Chelsea signings but have looked solid buys whenever they got the opportunity in pre-season.
With a plethora of talent coming back from successful loan spells, Chelsea looked set to be done except an appetite for Wayne Rooney.
Towards the end of the transfer window however, they proved old habits die hard as they paid big money for Brazilian Willian and have also shelled out significant wages for Samuel Eto’o, both acquired from the “fire-sale” at Anzhi Makhachkala. Both transfers seem to involve a certain element of risk, with an ageing Eto’o leading the front line and Willian needing to prove himself to slot into an area where Chelsea have some of the best young talents in the world.
The Blues have again stuck to their loan policy, sending 18 of their players across the country and the continent, the most debatable coming in the few hours before deadline when they loaned out Romelu Lukaku to Everton seemingly wanting to lighten the striking department after a failed attempt to offload Ba.
Chelsea look really good for a top 2 finish season and can even push for the title with a man who has done it all numerous times in different leagues.
Transfer Score: 7.5/10
In part 2, we take a look at the rest of the clubs.
