Here are the winners and losers from the Premier League top six in the summer transfer window.
The European transfer window drew curtains following relentless transfers over the last two and a half months.
The incomings and outgoings have shaped up some of the sides, while the rest have been hit with utmost misery. Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Spurs have spent a lot in the summer transfer window, while Liverpool decided to stay quiet and Chelsea played a restricted hand after being hit with a transfer ban.
It is also a funny narrative to note that the Blues have spent more than Liverpool amidst the transfer ban. Mateo Kovacic, who spent his time on-loan last season, has sealed a permanent transfer because of the eligibility.
After witnessing the crazy summer transfer window, we shall look at the winners and losers from the Premier League’s top six.
WINNERS
ARSENAL:
Arsenal continue to be a liability in the backline, but their ferocious attacking line has added more spice to it. The addition of Nicolas Pepe has handed them a huge boost in their chase for a Champions League place. The Ivorian is a valuable addition, while the Spaniard midfielder Dani Ceballos has added more steel in the midfield department. The Real Madrid midfielder also adds more creativity to supply the sublime front three.
Sead Kolasinac had yet another poor outing against Spurs, with the incapability to cross the ball perfectly. With Kieran Tierney in the left-back position, the Gunners are only expected to fly from the upcoming months. They are yet to sort the main problem this season, but they have bought a stopgap option with the signature of David Luiz. The Brazilian is not the prettiest defender, but can command the backline. His presence can change the team’s mentality. William Saliba will join the Europa League runners-up next summer.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
Tottenham Hotspur were quiet after doing early business with the signing of Tanguy Ndombele and Jack Clarke. Manager Mauricio Pochettino was visibly frustrated in the press conferences and interviews about the lack of signings in the summer window to charge for the Premier League.
During the British deadline day, the Champions League runners-up wrapped up the signatures of the duo Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso. The English defender signed a permanent deal, while the Argentinian will spend time on loan before eventually completing the transfer on a permanent basis next summer. The London outfit are bound to lose Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen for free, but they have roped in their replacements.
MANCHESTER CITY:
Manchester City’s only weakness in the number of centre-backs. Pep Guardiola only has Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, and Nicolas Otamendi at disposal, which is biting his neck right now. The Spaniard has been without Stones for two weeks, while Laporte injured his knee against Brighton and Hove Albion in the weekend.
The Citizens signed Rodri, Joao Cancelo, and Angelinho in the summer transfer window. As for the outgoings, Danilo and Fabian Delph, who deputised through the full-back positions have left the club. But, they have a more than an ample replacement in Cancelo and Angelinho. Pep’s only worry could be the centre-back department and he will be hoping that the Frenchman recovers from his knee injury soon.
LOSERS
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Manchester United kicked off their transfer window with a sweetener. They confirmed the capture of the young Daniel James, and welcome Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire before the transfer window officially shut.
The Norwegian is successful in his pursuit by clearing out a majority chunk, but there are no replacements for them. The lack of incomings has already started to hurt the Red Devils, who will be lucky to finish in the Champions League spot this season. They recouped nearly 70 million, with a majority through Romelu Lukaku.
The Red Devils need a centre-back, left-back, defensive midfielder, box-to-box midfielder, winger, and striker. As time goes, the season will only get tougher for them with such a thin squad.
LIVERPOOL:
Liverpool failed to take full advantage after lifting the Champions League in May. With that famous tag, the Reds should have at least signed two quality players to leap Manchester City in the title race.
Simon Mignolet, Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno, Danny Ings, and Ryan Kent left the club on a permanent basis, while Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson went on loan to Herta Berlin and Bournemouth respectively. They signed Adrian as a free agent, and couple of young additions including Sepp van de Berg and Harvey Elliot. The Reds would be ideal with a back up left back and wide forward. But, Klopp has put his faith on James Milner and Divock Origi.
CHELSEA:
Chelsea have to blame themselves for their downfall with the transfer ban. The Blues lost their talisman Eden Hazard to Real Madrid in the starting stages of the summer transfer window, and were forced to rely on the crop of academy players. They have signed Mateo Kovacic, but he was nothing but a squad player last summer. The Croat is inconsistent and rarely brings the creativity part in the table.
Young Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount have done well, but their defence continue to be a calamity. Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma have struggled and it could be the story until the season ends.
