We are now halfway through the transfer window and many deals have already been made. In this article, the transfers deals of each club will be scrutinised to see if they are good or bad.Big spenders
So far, 4 clubs have spent over £50 million this transfer window. These are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Arsenal have spent just over £50 million on four (in my opinion) good transfers (you can read my profiles on them here: https://theblackstockblog.wordpress.com/category/2014-summer-transfer-window/) . Arsenal have been reluctant to spent in recent times and lose their best players to bigger clubs. This transfer window has been different though. Arsenal have spent with intent this summer and they have made some great buys. Sanchez will provide pace which they lacked last season, Debuchy perfectly fits that Sagna shaped hole, Ospina will provide great back up for Szczensy, and Chambers is young and is tipped to grow into a great player. To anyone, their signings look great.
Chelsea have spent the 2nd most of any club so far. They spent big money on Diego Costa, Fabregas and Luis, three players who could fire them from 3rd to 1st. They also got Drogba back on a one year deal, he'll provide great back up to Diego Costa. But the question over Chelsea transfers is will they adapt to the Premier League. Lots of plays who come from La Liga to the Premier League need to to adapt to the different way of football, look at Özil as an example. If Chelsea's signings adapt they should do very well this season. Chelsea have also managed to balance the books by selling Luiz and Lukaku, they also released some of their big earners like Ashley Cole and Etoo. Chelsea have done great business this window and it should pay off for them.
Liverpool have spent a huge amount this window, but on players that may not set the Premier League alight. They spent £25 million on Lallana who had a good season last season but isn't a player that I would say turns them into title favourites. Lambert also falls into the category. Also with Lallana and Lambert, they aren't proven in Europe which is something Liverpool will need next season. Two of their signings Lovern and Markovic are but not very much. Liverpool sold Suarez and just haven't replaced him. It seems to be another story like Spurs last season, they lost Bale and bought seven players, five of which didn't perform last season. Liverpool need to spend wisely, something I don't think they are doing.
The final big spenders are Manchester United, who have don't deals early in the window. Ander Herrera was a player they looked at last season and they were desperate for. He partly solves their midfield crisis but at £28 million a player unknown to most may not seem like a great buy. They're other buy was Luke Shaw a player who did really well last season and has a bright future ahead of him. Manchester United had already spent over £50 million, but I think they still need at least 3 more signings and ideally 5. These signings will make them title challengers but will thru be like that this season?
Manchester City usually fall into the category of big spenders but this year they have spent less than £20 million. They have bought Fernando, Sagna and Callabero who should all add more squad depth to an already good squad. They are linked with a range of other players and I expect them to at least break the £50 million barrier before the end of the window.
Bargain hunters
Lots of clubs have found hidden gems for small prices, Newcastle are just one example of club that have done this. Despite the Magpies spending over £30 million this window, they have spent it very wisely. They bough Janmaat, who played very well throughout Holland's World Cup campaign, Cabella and Rivere who played well in Ligue 1, de Jong who's a amazing leader and a good player and Collback who is young and will continue to grow at St James Park. These signings have definitely improved the squad and they should be challenging for Europe again. Although there will be no Loic Remy and they lost Debuchy they have replaced them in the great signings that they have made so far this window.
Another club who have spent wisely are Hull. They have spent around £20 million on 2 Premier League proven players, Snodgrass and Livermore, and 3 young players, Ince, Maguire and Robertson. They are all good buys from the FA Cup finalists and add depth to their squad as they embark on a European campaign.
Stoke have also made some good deals and they haven't spent much money. Bardsley, Sidwell and Diouf came to the Britanina on free transfers, while Bojan also didn't cost a huge amount of money. Bardsley and Sidwell are proven in the Premier League and fit Stoke's style of play. Diouf and Bojan should also play well and form quite a for movable striking partnership.
Sunderland have done shroud business this window, bringing in three proven Premier League players on free transfers, Pantilimon, Jones and Jordi Gomez. These players also with can Aanholt more than replace the players that the Black Cats let go earlier this summer.
Aston Villa have signed three Premier League quality players on free transfers. Senderos has played for Arsenal and Fulham and despite being an older player he still has it a the top level. The same can be said for Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson.
West Ham have bought 5 players and spent around £25 million, with their biggest signing being Enner Valencia, who had a great World Cup for Ecuador. Zarate and Kouyate are also good signings for the Hammers who should be aiming for a top half finish.
QPR have invested in their defence, which let them down last time they were in the top flight. They bought Ferdinand, for free, and Caulker for £8 million. This should solidify their defence and if they keep Remy they really should stay up.
Top sellers
One club fit that this category more than any other are Southampton. The mass St Mary's exodus has seen 5 first team players and their manager leave, with more ready to leave. They have got over £90 million from 5 players though, which is quite a good return considering the players that they gave sold. They have started to replace the player that they sold, by buying Pelle (who has a fearsome goalscoring record) and Tadic. They also loaned in Bertrand. I don't think that they will be able to replace the quality the have sold and they might struggle this season.
Swansea are another aide who have sold some of their biggest stars. They have loaned out Michu (and they may sell him next summer) to Napoli and sold Vorm and Davies to Spurs. Michu is a big loss for them, in his first season he single handedly kept them up. Vorm and Davies are key players and their loss will be big ones. They have spent though and have replaced two of the players the sold. They bought Fabianski, who replaces Vorm, and Gomis, to replace Michu. They also bought Sigurdson and Montero, so it looks like they have spent their money wisely.
Quiet clubs
Everton have done very well this window, keeping all their star players and signing their two best loan signings of last season, Barry and Lukaku. Thru are both great signings especially Lukaku, who may even fire them into the Champions League. They used this window to solidify an already good squad but they need to add more squad depth as they embark on a tough Europa League campaign. No loan signings yet and it's been a rather quite window so far, bar Lukaku.
Spurs have bough Vorm and Davies and got rid of some of their dead wood, in what has been a rather quite transfer window for them, well at least compared to least year. I suspect they will make more buys and they will need to if they want to even come close to qualifying for the Champions League, let alone challenging for the title.
Crystal Palace have made only one signing this window, Fraizer Campbell. They will really need more signings they want to avoid a relegation battle.
West Brom, Burnley and Leicester have all spent bit had relatively quiet window compared to other clubs.
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