After what was an interesting transfer window that saw several big name players on the move, here at The18 we wanted to go over the top things we learned following the expensive window in the the Prem.
Premier League clubs spent £ 850 million during this last transfer window, obliterating their previous transfer window spending record of £630 million, which was set last summer. The Guardian’s Barry Glendenning said this week that, these days, the transfer window has almost become more important then the games themselves.
The Premier Spenders
Headlining the league is obviously Manchester United with their £ 153.1 million summer. Bringing in the likes of Angel Di Maria (£57.9M), Luke Shaw (£27M), Marcos Rojo (£16M), Ander Herrera (£28.8M) and now Radamel Falcao (£12M), the Red Devils will be expecting big return on their investments. Liverpool and Chelsea respectively spent £116.8 and £ 87.7 million to round out the top three. Premier League champs Manchester City spent £54.5 million pounds.
United Ignored Their Needs.
After cries from supporters for United to shore up their central defense and add a dominant controlling midfielder, the Red Devils went on to add Colombian Radamel Falcao. Robin Van Persie’s dismissed the talks surrounding is possible knee surgery and said he was looking forward to playing the Colombian. The squad unloaded striker Danny Welbeck to Arsenal on the last day of the window as well. United will win some games with the brilliance of their big names, but their use of three central defenders in van Gaal's 3-5-2 will need to change. Van Gaal doesn’t have the quality to use the system which was so successful for Holland in the World Cup. Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones will fill the two central roles with Luke Shaw and Rafael playing fullback roles. Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling will also be in the rotation with Daley Blind likely playing more midfield than defense. Tom Cleverley is also on his way out of Old Trafford after being signed on loan to Aston Villa. Only time will tell if their defense will hold, but it seems like the Red Devils failure to get Arturo Vidal or Matts Hummels could come back to bite them. They simply have a top heavy team that ignored their needs and it's going to show on the pitch.
If Manchester United were a person.. pic.twitter.com/ARKstbqxCp
— EPL Bible (@EPLBible) September 1, 2014
Arsenal Got Their Striker But What About CDM?
After winning the FA Cup, Arsenal made a splash by signing Alexis Sanchez. Then they didn’t do much until this past weekend. The Gunners signed forward Danny Welbeck due to the Olvier Giroud injury, but otherwise it seems Arsene Wenger once again became stubborn to open the club's checkbook. Like United, Arsenal also needed a dominant defensive midfielder and sources said William Carvalho was eager to join the squad, but a deal never went though due to a £3 million difference. We like the Welbeck move, as the Gunners need some additional creativity and sharpness up front. However, they ignored the central defender position. Laurent Koscielny came off Sunday with a head injury, only adding to the possible problems. So, Arsenal and Manchester United seem to be in a similar boat, except for the fact that Arsenal spent £110 million less then their pals to the north. They have work to do, but we believe Wenger’s squad will be okay and finish in the top three or four.
Liverpool Recovered Nicely
The Reds broke the £100 million barrier for the first time, but much of that was covered by the £75 million sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona. Brendan Rodgers had a lot to do during this summer transfer window and they did a great job recovering from losing their 31-time goal scorer. The squad is balanced beautifully and the Reds moves looked planned and organized following their £75 million payday. Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Lazar Morkovic showed their quality up front while Dejan Lovren, Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno provide depth on the defense. Mario Balotelli was the surprise signing that received all sorts of feedback, but in our opinion only adds another weapon for Brendan Rodgers. He knows the baggage that comes along with Balo but it’s a gamble worth taking. All these signings combined with a solid core, the Reds seem to of have one of the better summers in England.
And Finally...Chelsea Are Winners Of The Summer Window
The favorites to win the league did a good job balancing their books, getting rid of David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku. The two didn’t seem to be essential pieces in Jose Mourinho’s master plan and, with Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas in top form early, the Blues look poised to finish atop the table this year. Chelsea spent £87.7 million but recieved £88.5 million and got everything they needed. Loic Remy was a brilliant signing as well, as he will surely find the net coming off the bench. They executed most of their moves early and were steadily patient adding pieces they needed whenever the opportunity rose.
Mourinho knew what Chelsea needed to win the League & bought them. Wenger knows what Arsenal needs but dithers. That's the difference.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 31, 2014
