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The transfer window has been flung open, and this summer could be spectacular for player movement given the number of high profile clubs that have changed manager or who are coming off perceived down seasons.
Over this summer, I will be explaining and analysing the major moves around and giving each one of them a grade.
Marquinhos – Roma to PSG (£27m)
What’s the deal? At just 19, Marquinhos checks straight into the top five most expensive defenders of all time and behind only Rooney in teenage transfers.
Is the price right? It’s too much right now, but in a few years time, it could look inspired. He hasn’t done enough to be worth this kind of money which is normally reserved for the genuinely elite defenders, but he has all the tools he needs to be one of the best.
Why sign him? If Marquinhos develops as expected, PSG will have the best central defence in the world. Thiago Silva is the best in the position at the moment, so if Marquinhos can learn from his countryman and develop accordingly, they can be a Champions League winning pairing.
Why sell him? It’s such a lot of money for a central defender. Cashing in on Marquinhos means they can keep De Rossi which will mean a lot more to the fans.
Will it work? It should do. The French league isn’t the most taxing so he should be able to ease in gently and grow. He has played in a superior league in Italy, but it’s quite another thing getting used to playing for a team that wants to win the Champions League with a £27m price tag round his neck.
Grade: B. Too much money, but could become one of the very best.
Kevin Strootman – PSV to Roma (£15m)
Kevin Strootman
What’s the deal? Roma beat Man United to the punch to bring in one of the top young box to box midfielders in Europe.
Is the price right? Yes. It’s pretty much spot on actually. Roma are paying for his talent, which he has in abundance, but without massive exposure to the Champions League, it would have be too much of a gamble to pay much more.
Why sign him? Partnering Strootman with De Rossi immediately gives Roma one of the best midfield pairs in Europe. Add in Mike Bradley and it’s a trio packed with power, goals and dynamism. Strootman looks like being a new Steven Gerrard or Patrick Vieira so his combination of leadership and power next to De Rossi is going to make Roma very hard to beat.
Why sell him? PSV have had a strange summer in the market. The addition of Maher was excellent but having already sold Lens and Mertens, it’s surprising that they let Strootman go. The money was good though, so that’s probably what sealed the deal.
Will it work? Yes. There is no one better than De Rossi for Strootman to play next to and his drive and goal getting could make him a standout force in Serie A.
Grade: A+. Excellent signing, good value, appropriate fit. This gives a Roma a midfield that can stand toe to toe with the dominant trio at Juventus.
Raul Albiol – Real Madrid to Napoli (£10m)
Raul Albiol
What’s the deal? More Spaniards follow Rafa Benitez to Napoli.
Is the price right? It’s fair price. Albiol is a top quality player and was a little unlucky that he lost his place at the start of last season to young superstar Rafael Varane. However, he did start fairly regularly in 2013. He’s a class act.
Why sign him? Napoli’s weakness over the last few years has been defensively, and Albiol is a big upgrade on what they have at the moment. With their lively attack this is the kind of thing that could help them push towards the league title.
Why sell him? He was going to be behind Sergio Ramos and Varane and maybe even Pepe in the pecking order. He’s been a loyal and uncomplaining servant to the club so it was fair to let him go at a good price.
Will it work? He’s moving from one tactical league to another and has the type of personality to step up as the leader of the defence and thrive just as he did at Valencia.
Grade: A. Quality player, good price, fills a big need and playing for a manager who will know how to get the best out of him.
Joaquin – Malaga to Fiorentina (£2m)
Joaquin
What’s the deal? Fiorentina continue their recruitment of weaponry to help them push towards the top of Serie A.
Is the price right? It’s good value considering that he’s 32. Maybe only a couple of years in the tank but it’s a fair outlay.
Why sign him? Although he doesn’t possess the express pace that he had in his youth, he can still make and score goals to a high level and importantly for Fiorentina, provide width. With arch poacher Mario Gomez now in place, Joquin will have a big presence to pick out and his speciality of getting to the byline and pulling the ball back will suit Gomez’s movement and poaching style.
Why sell him? Malaga’s brief experiment with trying to buy success has gone belly up so they need to offload all the high earners.
Will it work? Yes. Even without a truly elite striker to supply, he still managed 8 assists and 4 goals last season. He does still boast above average speed which will be a benefit in Serie A which tends to be more restrictive.
Grade: B. Good tidy work at a fair price. Only a couple of years fix but with Gomez and Ilicic in place, Fiorentina seem to be wanting to push for the top three or even the title in the next few years.
Nacer Chadli – Twente to Tottenham (£7m)
Nacer Chadli
What’s the deal? Chadli has been sparkling in the Eredivise and gives Spurs another forward option who will have space to roam around with attention taken away by Gareth Bale.
Is the price right? Yes. This could turn out to be a bargain in the long run but for now it’s fair. 18 goals in all competitions from a wide forward position at 23 means there is more to come.
Why sign him? Spurs were on the look out for a player to play on the wide left to allow them the freedom to play Gareth Bale centrally where he caused absolute carnage last season. Chadli is quick and direct which will give Spurs more width and menace in attack to take the pressure off the shoulders of Gareth Bale. They need more goal getting and making.
Why sell him? Twente are a fading force now and can’t really stop Chadli making the step up to Spurs. The £7m will come in handy as they try to barge their way back in to the top three.
Will it work? Yes. I don’t think game time should be a problem because the wide positions should be up for grabs on a fairly equal footing to allow Bale to play in the middle. If they switch to 4-3-3 to play all three central midfielders, it could be an issue but he gives them something they don’t have outside of Bale and there are two other Belgians in place to help him.
Grade: A-. The concern is whether or not this stops them from signing a striker so if they get someone like Soldado on board too then this could probably be higher still.
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