The summer months have come and gone, and so has the new season’s first transfer window. As always, the carousel has turned full-speed, resulting in big signings and surprises, and of course, a ton of money spent. Clubs have been plundered, teams have been reshapen, and only time will tell whether all of those investments will pay off in the end.
This week, we will take a look at the top competitions to find out who has done the best deals, who had the worst summer and much more, starting off with the biggest league of all: the Premier League.
Best Buy
Of all the signings Chelsea have made Cesc Fabregas has to be the best. Already proving his class with four assists in the first three games, the Spanish midfielder seems to have been a Chelsea-player for the past few years, playing with confidence and class. The partnership with Matic is visibly growing as well, bringing him to his full potential, which brings me to the true reason why Fabregas is the best signing. It is not only because of his vision, his beautiful passing, his knowledge of the game or the speed at which he is adapting to his new team, it is the fact that he makes his team-mates better than they were last season. Hazard is coming into his own, Diego Costa is smashing in the goals he provides, and everyone in general is improving upon last year because of him. A very smart signing by Chelsea, and a potential kingmaker for the Blues.
Greatest Loss
Without a doubt, the greatest loss of this window is Luis Suarez’s move from Liverpool to FC Barcelona. The striker’s departure to the Spanish giants has left a massive void in the runners-up’s attack, having made 31 goals last year, while also providing 12 assists. And although they have attacking prowess in Balotelli, Lambert, Sturridge and Sterling, it remains to be seen whether they can fill the Uruguayan forward’s golden boots.
Best Window
Chelsea were awfully close to the title last year, letting Liverpool and Manchester City hop over them in the final stages with some slip-ups against the smaller clubs. Mourinho is adamant to win the league this time around, and wealthy owner Roman Abramovich handed him the funds needed to bring home the silverware. The London club brought in Spanish goalgetter Diego Costa, as well as left-back Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid, and Cesc Fabregas from FC Barcelona. They got rid of many of their fringe-players, and bringing quality over quantity. Already hitting their stride this early in the season, they look to be well-equipped for a title-challenge.
Worst Window
Last season’s revelation Southampton have experienced first-hand what it is to be a small fish in a sea full of sharks, losing the spine of last year’s team to the competitors, mostly to Liverpool. Shaw to Manchester United, Lallana, Lovren and Lambert to Liverpool, and Chambers to Arsenal, seeing so many key players leave hurts, even if you earn big money out of it. Yes, they have brought in some talent with Tadic, Long and Alderweireld, but it is doubtful Ronald Koeman’s team will reach the same heights.
Surprise
There have been many surprises this time around, such as Balotelli to Liverpool or Chicarito to Real Madrid, but Falcao’s move from Monaco to Manchester United takes the cake. After having signed Angel di Maria for a record fee, the Mancunians brought in El Tigre on a one-year loan deal, with the option to buy him next summer. The Colombian star had been linked to the big boys all summer long, with Madrid and City pulling his sleeve, so it was quite the shocker that he decided to go to United, who are missing out on European football. A wonderful striker, no doubt about it, but is he really what United need at the moment?
Missed Opportunity
After a lot of ‘will-he-won’t-he?’, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger did sign a striker in the end, namely Danny Welbeck. All is good in that, he will surely score some goals, but the missed opportunity for the Gunners lies in their lack of a defensive midfielder. William Carvalho had been linked to the London club, but the deal never substantiated, and seemingly no other attempts were made to either sign the Portuguese, or to search for an alternate option. The lack of quality on this position has been apparent for a few seasons now, yet Wenger keeps the fans waiting even longer. Given the strength of the rest of the team – apart from the centre forward position – a defensive-minded player in the midfield would have given their throw at the title more credence. A missed opportunity indeed.
Source: DSG
