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With various leagues having already started their season, September has ushered in a sense of normalcy to football in a coronavirus world.
Clubs have been active but wary in the transfer market. While clubs like Chelsea have spent freely, other big clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid have yet to properly make an impression this time around.
However, with some time to go, there is surely more news and sensational transfers to happen before the transfer window shuts down.
Certain clubs are in dire need of reinforcements, but have been extremely cautious due to the financial instability caused by the coronavirus. Here are the top 10 football teams in the world- football clubs rankings for the month of September.
#10 CHELSEA
Chelsea have been in the news quite constantly of late- their exceptional summer transfer window has raised a lot of eyebrows.
Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have all arrived to boost an already impressive and young attack, while the signings of Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Malang Sarr is a heady combination of experience and leadership (Silva), and youth and dynamism (Chilwell and Sarr) at the back.
The onus is now on Frank Lampard to deliver, with Marina Granovskaia having conducted a nearly perfect transfer window. A title challenge is expected by many this season, and Lampard will be hoping to hit the ground running this season.
#9 INTER MILAN
It would have been a relief for the Inter Milan hierarchy after manager Antonio Conte confirmed that he would continue to be the manager.
Conte was not in the best of moods throughout last season, with failure to get his transfer targets last time around cited as an important reason. Having said that, the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen and Alexis Sanchez represent considerable investment, and Inter Milan look likely to spend again this time around.
Having finished second in Serie A last season and lost the Europa League finals, the Nerazzurri have already confirmed the signing of highly-rated wing-back Achraf Hakimi, and are closing in on deals for Barcelona's Arturo Vidal and Roma's Aleksandar Kolarov.
#8 SEVILLA
Sevilla have firmly established themselves as the kings of the Europa League, having won it six times now; most recently, last season, by beating Inter Milan.
Monchi is back, and he has made some astute signings under the much-maligned Julen Lopetegui. Star midfielder Ever Banega has gone to Saudi Arabia, and the club have already confirmed the return of Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona. In centre-back pairing, Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos, they have two highly-rated defenders.
Lopetegui has established a good playing style, but it will be interesting to see how they operate without Banega. Rakitic is a shrewd acquisition, and the arrival of Oscar Rodriguez from Real Madrid provides strength and depth in the midfield areas.
Also Read: 10 most expensive Chelsea signings of all time
#7 BARCELONA
Barcelona have been in the news for some time now, and it has been not been for good reasons.
The whole Lionel Messi saga was the talk of the town the previous week, and came to a crescendo when the Argentine gave an explosive interview but confirmed he would stay for the next season. Amidst all this, the club is reportedly closing in on deals for Dutch stars Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay.
With the likes of Rakitic, Vidal and Luis Suarez all close to leaving or having left, Barcelona are entering a new era under manager Ronald Koeman, but there is a sense that this project is not an easy one; a lot of time and patience will be needed.
#6 MANCHESTER CITY
The aforementioned Lionel Messi saga ensured that Manchester City were also in the public eye for much of last week.
They were the favourites to sign the superstar if he could leave the club, but now that has been put to rest. The club has already invested in winger Ferran Torres and centre-back Nathan Ake, and discussions are ongoing for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
Manchester City finished 18 points behind Liverpool last season, and Pep Guardiola will be extremely keen to ensure that that is not the case this time around.
#5 JUVENTUS
Juventus have been functioning in the shadows this transfer window, but there have been some notable developments.
The departure of Maurizio Sarri ushered in the surprising appointment of Andrea Pirlo as manager. The Italian great has already informed Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain to look for new clubs; Barcelona's Luis Suarez is apparently on his way to Juventus as well.
With Dejan Kulusevki and Arthur having joined the club, the midfield is less of a concern for Pirlo. They are also said to be interested in Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa, as well as Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.
#4 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool have been quiet this window, having won the Premier League last season.
Jurgen Klopp's men lost the Community Shield to Arsenal on penalties, and certain critics have commented that stagnation could prove to be the downfall of the team. Bayern Munich's Thiago has been mooted as a target for some time now, but Liverpool have not been able to agree a deal with the Bavarians.
Having missed out on Timo Werner, Klopp needs to ensure that he has enough squad depth to tackle the new season. Liverpool have been exceptionally lucky with injuries, especially to the front three; While they have the likes of Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi, they lack the same quality as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Also Read: 10 greatest players to have played under Pep Guardiola
#3 REAL MADRID
Another club which has been quiet this transfer window is Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane's men won the La Liga last season, and with Barcelona in disarray, are the favourites to do so once again. However, there is no denying that the squad is ageing; the likes of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who form the core, are not getting any younger.
While steps have been taken to address this issue, it is imperative that Los Blancos capitalise on the current situation. Eden Hazard is expected to be much better, having not had the best of seasons last time around. However, there is a feeling that Real Madrid are getting ready to spend big on Kylian Mbappe next summer.
#2 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Paris Saint-Germain finished as the runner-up in the Champions League last season, and will want to build on that foundation.
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar look set to stay, and so does manager Thomas Tuchel. The Parisiens conducted an astute transfer window last time around, and look unlikely to be big spenders this season. Mauro Icardi has arrived permanently, but there is a feeling that the departures of Thomas Meunier and Thiago Silva necessitates defensive signings.
Arsenal's Hector Bellerin has been linked, while the likes of Abdou Diallo are likely to get more game time. Ligue 1 should not be a problem; However, PSG will like to make another deep run in the Champions League.
#1 BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich became only the second team to win the double treble after their successes last season, after Barcelona.
Not many would argue that it wasn't deserved, either. However, manager Hansi Flick will have to ensure that the effectiveness which made the Bavarians' name last season is maintained. Midfield lynchpin Thiago's likely departure looks to be a problem; Bayern Munich might have to dip in the market for a midfielder if that is the case.
However, the arrival of Leroy Sane from Manchester City has added serious depth to an already frightening attack; Flick also wants Ivan Perisic to return, with the Croatian having gone back to Inter Milan once his loan spell ended. Bayern Munich will the team to beat next season as well.
Also Read: 5 most famous player rivalries in football
