The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Premier League summer transfer window
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While Premier League clubs have spent a combined £1.3 billion this summer, some clubs have had a better transfer window than others.
Reigning champions Manchester City were looking to freshen their squad ahead of a hunt for their third successive Premier Leage title, impressive runners-up Liverpool had their sights set on closing the measly 1-point gap from the previous season, Europa League winners Chelsea on the other hand did not have such problems, as they began serving their 1 season (2 transfer windows) transfer ban, while Tottenham Hotspur were eager to spend some money after 0 signings across the 2018-19 season.
5th placed Arsenal failed to win the Europa League, which meant they had to strengthen their squad to help in their top 4 chase, alongside another top 4 outsider – Manchester United, who were preparing for another rebuilding job, this time under Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Wolves, Everton, Leicester, West Ham and Watford were meanwhile ready to take the next step towards becoming the ‘best of the rest’ club, each requiring strengthening in different areas of the pitch.
Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Burnley were hoping to bring in players who could propel them to the top half of the table, while Newcastle, Southampton and Brighton were adamant to avoid another relegation scrap this time around.
New boys Norwich, Sheffield United and Aston Villa were meanwhile desperate to strengthen their squads with enough quality to avoid returning to the Championship at the end of the 2019-20 season; of course each club had varying budgets to do that.
As the 2019 summer transfer window slammed shut for Premier League clubs on the 8th of August, Transfer News Central looks at every club’s transfer activity this summer.
Arsenal
IN: Nicolas Pepé (£72m), William Saliba (£27m), Kieran Tierney (£24.3m), David Luiz (£7.8m), Gabriel Martinelli (£6m), Dani Ceballos (loan)
OUT: Alex Iwobi (£27.3m), Krystian Bielik (£7.3m), Laurent Koscielny (£4.5m), David Ospina (£3.15m), Carl Jenkinson (£2m), Takuma Asano (£900k), William Saliba (loan), Eddie Nketiah (loan), Dejan Iliev (loan), Aaron Ramsey (free transfer), Danny Welbeck (free transfer), Cohen Bramall (free transfer), Stephan Lichtsteiner (released)
VERDICT: 7/10 – Arsenal fooled everyone by admitting they have a £40m budget this summer, even though they have actually spent in the excess of £130m on 5 players. While Pepé, Tierney and Ceballos (even though he’s only on loan) are excellent additions to the Gunners squad, they still needed a quality centre-back to replace the departing captain Koscielny and very few would argue that David Luiz is the solution. Additionally, with goalkeepers Petr Cech and David Ospina departing, Arsenal are left without a capable cover for German Bernd Leno.
Aston Villa
IN: Wesley (£22.5m), Tyrone Mings (£20m), Douglas Luiz (£15m), Matt Targett (£13.9m), Ezri Konsa (£12m), Marvelous Nakamba (£10.8m), Trezeguet (£9m), Anwar El Ghazi (£8.1m), Tom Heaton (£7.9m), Bjorn Engels (£7.2m), Jota (£4m), Kortney Hause (£3m)
OUT: Ritchie De Laet (free transfer), Glenn Whelan (free transfer), Tommy Elphick (free transfer), Albert Adomah (free transfer), Andre Green (loan), Scott Hogan (loan), Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (loan), James Bree (loan), Gary Gardner (part of Jota deal), Birkir Bjarnason (released), Mile Jedinak (released), Ross McCormack (released), Alan Hutton (released), Mark Bunn (released)
VERDICT: 7/10 – Aston Villa have spent over £100m on transfers this summer, which is certainly impressive for a newly promoted club, it becomes less impressive, however, when we consider that Fulham have also spent over £100m in the previous season, yet they still got relegated. If all the Villa arrivals can do what the Fulham ones couldn’t and gel quickly, the Birmingham-based club can look forward to at least one more season in the big time.
Bournemouth
IN: Arnaut Danjuma (£16.2m), Philip Billing (£14.8m), Lloyd Kelly (£13.3m), Jack Stacey (£4m), Harry Wilson (loan)
OUT: Tyrone Mings (£20m), Lys Mousset (£10m), Connor Mahoney (£990k), Marc Pugh (free transfer), Emerson Hyndman (loan), Harry Arter (loan), Sam Surridge (loan)
VERDICT: 6/10 – Bournemouth keep overachieving each season and they have freshened their squad to help them push for a top half finish. Danjuma looks like an exciting aquisition, even though he is unproven, while Billing will add competition in the midfield area. Full-backs Kelly and Stacey seem more like investment for the future and it will be interesting to see whether Welshman Harry Wilson can make the step-up from the Championship. The Cherries had some goalkeeper trouble last season, so it is strange to see they have not brought in another goalkeeper.
Brighton and Hove Albion
IN: Neal Maupay (£19.7m), Adam Webster (£20m), Leandro Trossard (£18m), Matt Clarke (£3.5m), Aaron Mooy (loan)
OUT: Ales Mateju (undisclosed fee), Markus Suttner (free transfer), Richie Towell (free transfer), Alexis Mac Allister (loan), Christian Walton (loan), Viktor Gyokeres (loan), Matt Clarke (loan), Anthony Knockaert (loan), Leo Ostigard (loan), Jan Mlakar (loan), Percy Tau (loan), Beram Kayal (loan)
VERDICT: 6/10 – Brighton lacked defensive stability and attacking creativity last season, so they brought in a striker, winger, attacking midfielder and centre-back for a combined £60m. The only risk in these purchases is that club-record signing Maupay is unproven at this level, while Webster is another gamble at £20m. Only time will tell if these pricey gambles will pay off or will Brighton be unable to avoid the drop this time around.
Burnley
IN: Jay Rodriguez (£5m), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (£2.4m), Erik Pieters (£990k), Ryan Cooney (undisclosed fee), Danny Drinkwater (loan)
OUT: Tom Heaton (£7.9m), Aiden O’Neill (free transfer), Anders Lindegaard (free transfer), Stephen Ward (free transfer), Nakhi Wells (loan)
VERDICT: 5/10 – Burnley were caught in a somewhat surprising relegation battle last season, which meant they had to strengthen this summer. While bringing back Jay Rodriguez is a positive move which should give Burnley some extra bite, Peacock-Farrell will be nothing more than a benchwarmer waiting for a Nick Pope injury and left-back Erik Pieters certainly didn’t turn any heads during his previous Premier League spell at Stoke City. Drinkwater should be an interesting addition as he will surely be looking to prove doubters wrong.
Chelsea
IN: Mateo Kovacic (£40.5m)
OUT: Eden Hazard (£90m), Ola Aina (£9m), Tomas Kalas (£8.1m), David Luiz (£7.8m), Kenneth Omeruo (£4.5m), Todd Kane (free transfer), Eduardo (free transfer), Gary Cahill (free transfer), Ethan Ampadu (loan), Lewis Baker (loan), Danny Drinkwater (loan), Matt Miazga (loan)
VERDICT: 2/10 – While Chelsea have been handed a 2 transfer window ban which restricts them from making any signings, they were able to make Kovacic’s loan from Real Madrid permanent, as the player has already been registered at the club. While there have been numerous departures from the Stamford Bridge, none will hurt Chelsea like the departure of talisman Eden Hazard to Real Madrid. The Blues are not able to replace their topscorer, therefore, they will be hoping January purchase Pulisic will be able to grow into his £60m shoes and take some of the pressure off the rest of the team.
Crystal Palace
IN: James McCarthy (£3m), Jordan Ayew (£2.5m), Victor Camarasa (loan), Stephen Henderson (free transfer), Gary Cahill (free transfer)
OUT: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£50m), Papa Souare (free transfer), Jason Puncheon (free transfer), Alexander Sorloth (loan), Bakary Sako (released), Julian Speroni (released)
VERDICT: 6/10 – The incoming transfers list of the Eagles may not look phenomenal, the absence of Zaha on the departures list is the real success here. While Palace will surely lack the goals of Batshuayi who has returned to Chelsea, the addition of Camarasa who impressed on loan at Cardiff will bring some needed creativity to the Palace midfield, at the same time, Gary Cahill will bring much needed stability and leadership to the backline.
Everton
IN: Alex Iwobi (£27.3m), Moise Kean (£24.7m), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (£22.5m), André Gomes (£22.5m), Fabian Delph (£8.5m), Djibril Sidibe (loan), Jonas Lossl (free transfer)
OUT: Idrissa Gueye (£27m), Ademola Lookman (£16.2m), Nikola Vlasic (£14.1m), Henry Onyekuru (£12.1m), James McCarthy (£3m), Phil Jagielka (free transfer), Brendan Galloway (free transfer), Luke Garbutt (loan), Shani Tarashaj (loan), Sandro Ramirez (loan), Muhamad Besic (loan), Kieran Dowell (loan), Matthew Pennington (loan), Jonjoe Kenny (loan), Ashley Williams (released)
VERDICT: 8/10 – The loss of Idrissa Gueye will certainly be felt across the Everton team, the Toffees have recruited impressively. Gomes’ loan from Barcelona has been made permanent, with Gbamin coming in to directly replace Gueye at the heart of the midfield. Delph never really got into the Man. City team but he would have gained valuable experience at the champions which he will bring with him to Goodison Park. Iwobi and Kean are two young and exciting attackers who may be pricey but will definitely liven up the forward line of Everton. Djibril Sidibe is a World Cup winner with France and he will provide competition for club captain Seamus Coleman in the right-back position; another central defender would have added some needed depth, with Everton missing out on Smalling and Rojo of Man. United.
Leicester City
IN: Youri Tielemans (£40.5m), Ayoze Pérez (£30m), Dennis Praet (£18.9m), James Justin (£6m)
OUT: Harry Maguire (£78.3m), Callum Elder (undisclosed fee), Shinji Okazaki (free transfer), Andy King (loan), Danny Simpson (released)
VERDICT: 7/10 – Leicester City have not brought in a tonne of players, but the ones they have brought in will be influencial. Tielemans impressed while on loan for the second half of last season, so his loan was made permanent for a club-record fee. Ayoze Pérez was stolen from Newcastle United for £30m and he will bring some more pace and trickery to the front-line. Dennis Praet is a bit of a gamble at almost £19m, while young full-back James Justin will provide competition for both Pereira and Chilwell. The departure of defender Harry Maguire for a whopping £78m has been one of the talking points of the summer transfer window and the lack of replacement will surely be felt throughout the King Power Stadium.
Liverpool
IN: Sepp van den Berg (£1.7m), Adrián (free transfer), Andy Lonergan (free transfer)
OUT: Danny Ings (£20m), Simon Mignoley (£6.3m), Alberto Moreno (free transfer), Harry Wilson (loan), Marko Grujic (loan), Taiwo Awoniyi (loan), Ovie Ejaria (loan), Ben Woodburn (loan), Sheyi Ojo (loan), Connor Randall (released), Daniel Sturridge (released), Adam Bogdan (released)
VERDICT: 1/10 – Disappointing is an understatement when looking at Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer. While it can be argued that the Reds did not need much as they won the Champions League and were only 1 point away from clinching the Premier League title, but refreshing a successfull team is the key to long-term success. With young Dutch defender van den Berg and former West Ham shot-stopper Adrián being the only notable additions to the squad, this has been a very poor summer for Liverpool.
Manchester City
IN: Rodri (£63m), Joao Cancelo (£58.5m), Angelino (10.8m), Pedro Porro (£10.8m), Zack Steffen (£7.2m), Ryotaro Meshino (£900k), Scott Carson (loan)
OUT: Danilo (£33m), Douglas Luiz (£15.1m), Fabian Delph (£8.5m), Manu Garcia (£3.6m), Pablo Mari (£1.5m), Vincent Kompany (free transfer), Eliaquim Mangala (free transfer), Anthony Caceres (free transfer), Luke Brattan (free transfer), Arijanet Muric (loan), Zack Steffen (loan), Philippe Sandler (loan), Tosin Adarabioyo (loan), Pedro Porro (loan), Patrick Roberts (loan), Mix Diskerud (loan)
VERDICT: 9/10 – As was the case with title rivals Liverpool, City did not require much activity this summer, but contrary to Liverpool, Man. City brought in players to key positions, with club-record signing Rodri coming in for the ageing Fernandinho, 34, and Joao Cancelo providing much needed competition for Kyle Walker, with previous full-back Danilo failing to impress at the Etihad. With City adding to an already perfect squad, there is surely no stopping them in becoming only the third team to win 3 consecutive Premier League titles.
Manchester United
IN: Harry Maguire (£78.3m), Aaron Wan Bissaka (£50m), Daniel James (£15.3m)
OUT: Romelu Lukaku (£58.5m), Antonio Valencia (free transfer), Ander Herrera (free transfer), James Wilson (free transfer), Dean Henderson (loan), Joel Pereira (loan)
VERDICT: 6/10 – As is the case every summer transfer window, Manchester United were linked with numerous big names, however, they were only able to bring in 3 players. Maguire joined United for a record-fee for a defender, while Wan Bissaka was bought from Crystal Palace to replace the departing captain Antonio Valencia, Welsh winger Daniel James also joined from Championship side Swansea City to add more depth to the Man. United wing. The Red Devils were close to signing Dybala, Mandzukic, Eriksen and Milinkovic-Savic, however, none of the deals materialised, leaving the midfield and attack of Manchester United lacking in depth, especially after the departure of last season’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku who joined Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan.
Newcastle United
IN: Joelinton (£39.6m), Allan Saint-Maximin (£16.2m), Emil Krafth (£4.8m), Jetro Willems (loan), Andy Carroll (free transfer)
OUT: Ayoze Pérez (£30m), Joselu (£2m), Mohamed Diamé (free transfer), Dan Barlaser (loan), Jacob Murphy (loan), Freddie Woodman (loan)
VERDICT: 7/10 – Newcastle owner Mike Ashley finally whipped out his wallet and splashed the cash, too bad that it was after Rafa Benitez left. Newcastle smashed their transfer record to bring in young Brazilian striker Joelinton from Hoffenheim, while also bringing in exciting winger Saint-Maximin. Two full-backs in Krafth and Willems were also signed, while Andy Carroll has returned to his former club on a free transfer. It was not a bad transfer window for Newcastle, however, the departure of Pérez will surely be felt, as well as an absence of a serious centre-back competition.
Norwich City
IN: Sam Byram (£750k), Daniel Adshead (£300k), Rocky Bushiri (undisclosed fee), Josip Drmic (free transfer), Ralf Fahrmann (loan), Patrick Roberts (loan), Ibrahim Amadou (loan)
OUT: Marcel Franke (£1.3m), Nelson Oliveira (undisclosed fee), Steven Naismith (free transfer), Ivo Pinto (free transfer), Yanic Wildschut (free transfer), Tristan Abrahams (free transfer), Josh Coley (loan), Carlton Morris (loan), Sean Raggett (loan), James Husband (loan), Ashton Oxborough (loan), Rocky Bushiri (loan), Mason Bloomfield (loan), Matt Jarvis (released)
VERDICT: 5/10 – Norwich City were impressive Championship winners last season, however, not strengthening more will surely come back to bite them. German international goalkeeper Fahrmann was an impressive capture, while Ibrahim Amadou is a solid defensive midfielder who previously missed out on a move to Crystal Palace. Sam Byram is a question mark at this level, as his time with West Ham United proved, while Patrick Roberts is an exciting English winger. Josip Drmic will be pushing Timu Pukki for the starting spot, however, his goal conversion over the last few seasons has not showed much promise. Norwich recruited fine, but perhaps more was needed for survival.
Sheffield United
IN: Oliver McBurnie (£17m), Lys Mousset (£10m), Callum Robinson (£7m), Luke Freeman (£5m), Ben Osborn (£3.5m), Phil Jagielka (free transfer), Ravel Morrison (free transfer), Michael Verrips (free transfer), Muhamed Besic (loan), Dean Henderson (loan)
OUT: Paul Coutts (free transfer), Caolan Lavery (free transfer), Conor Washington (free transfer), Martin Cranie (free transfer), Ched Evans (undisclosed fee), Nathan Thomas (loan), Jake Eastwood (loan), Mark Duffy (loan)
VERDICT: 7/10 – While the Blades recruited nicely based on their small budget – smashed their transfer record four times this summer, most of the players were brought in from the Championship, which brings up questions whether they have what it takes to step-up a level and succeed in the Premier League. McBurnie scored 22 goals in the Championship last season, however, he has only registered a single goal across his Premier League career. Mousset is another rapid option upfront and he should have some top flight experience from his time at Bournemouth. Phil Jagielka is a great leader but has perhaps passed his best, while Ravel Morrison; formerly of Manchester United and West Ham is a wildcard.
Southampton
IN: Danny Ings (£20m), Che Adams (£15m), Moussa Djenepo (£14.1m), Kevin Danso (loan)
OUT: Matt Targett (£13.9m), Sam Gallagher (£5m), Charlie Austin (£3.8m), Steven Davis (free transfer), Jordy Clasie (free transfer), Jack Rose (loan), Harrison Reed (loan), Josh Sims (loan)
VERDICT: 6/10 – It may seem that Southampton recruited poorly with only four signings, these signings have strengthened problematic positions. Danny Ings was a useful player during his loan last season, scoring 7 goals and assisting a further 3. Che Adams is a promising and pacey striker who was brought in from Birmingham City, much less is known about 21-year-old winger Djenepo, but so was the case with Sadio Mane when he arrived at St Mary’s. Hasenhuttl also used his Austrian connections to bring in centre-back Kevin Danso on a season-long loan, which should provide some cover at the heart of the defence.
Tottenham Hotspur
IN: Tanguy Ndombele (£54m), Ryan Sessegnon (£24.3m), Jack Clarke (£9.9m), Giovani Lo Celso (loan)
OUT: Kieran Trippier (£19.8m), Vincent Janssen (£8.1m), Josh Onomah (part of Sessegnon deal), Cameron Carter-Vickers (loan), Jack Clarke (loan), Michel Vorm (released), Fernando Llorente (released)
VERDICT: 8/10 – After going a full season without signing a player, Spurs have really gone for it. They first of all smashed their transfer record with the signing of Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, then brought in one of the most exciting English youngsters in Ryan Sessegnon and one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe Lo Celso on transfer deadline day. Spurs were also linked with a sensational move for Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, but the two parties could not agree on an acceptable deal. While Spurs have recruited well, the same question will be asked: what if Kane gets injured? Lucas Moura and Son have both successfully played as an out-and-out striker, it is not their natural position, will the lack of a natural no.9 come back to haunt Spurs?
Watford
IN: Ismaila Sarr (£27m), Craig Dawson (£5.4m), Joao Pedro (£2.2m), Sam Dalby (undisclosed fee), Tom Dele-Bashiru (free transfer), Danny Welbeck (free transfer)
OUT: Dodi Lukebakio (£18m), Obbi Oulare (£2.7m), Ben Wilmot (loan), Jerome Sinclair (loan), Kwasi Sibo (loan), Tommie Hoban (released)
VERDICT: 7/10 – Watford have slipped down the table after an impressive first half to the season and they want to avoid doing the same with their summer transfers. Ismaila Sarr impressed everyone during the Europa League tie against Arsenal last season and he arrives for a club-record fee. Craig Dawson is a solid centre-back at this level, while Danny Welbeck will be eager to prove he’s still got it. Perhaps the only position which is lacking is the goalkeeper, as Ben Foster and Heurelho Gomes are not getting any younger.
West Ham United
IN: Sebastien Haller (£36m), Pablo Fornals (£25.2m), Albian Ajeti (£7.8m), Goncalo Cardoso (£2.7m), Roberto (free transfer), David Martin (free transfer)
OUT: Marko Arnautovic (£22.5m), Pedro Obiang (£7.2m), Edimilson Fernandes (£6.7m), Lucas Pérez (£2m), Reece Oxford (£1.8m), Sam Byram (£750k), Adrián (free transfer), Samir Nasri (free transfer), Andy Carroll (free transfer), Grady Diangana (loan), Josh Cullen (loan), Jordan Hugill (loan)
VERDICT: 8/10 – West Ham have seemingly finally ended their search for a striker, as they snapped up 15-goal striker Sebastien Haller for a club-record fee from Eintracht Frankfurt. With Lanzini spending most of last season out injured, the Hammers have acted and brought in Spanish playmaker Fornals for £25.2m who will surely come up with a few assists this season. West Ham have also brought in young Swiss striker Ajeti for further competition upfront, while freshening up their backline with young defender Cardoso. Only thing lacking for West Ham is a capable successor for Mark Noble who will surely play fewer minutes this season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
IN: Raul Jiménez (£34.2m), Pedro Neto (£16.4m), Patrick Cutrone (£16.2m), Leander Dendoncker (£12.1m), Bruno Jordao (£8.2m), Flavio Cristovao (free transfer), Renat Dadashov (undisclosed fee), Jesus Vallejo (loan)
OUT: Kortney Hause (£3m), Ethan Ebanks-Landell (free transfer), Jack Ruddy (free transfer), Michal Zyro (free transfer), Hélder Costa (loan – becoming permanent next season), Rafa Mir (loan), Ivan Cavaleiro (loan), Bright Enobakhare (loan), Renat Dadashov (loan), Will Norris (loan)
VERDICT: 9/10 – An extremely impressive transfer window for Wolves. They have crucially made Raul Jiménez’s loan from Benfica permenant, with the Mexican scoring 13 goals and providing 8 assists in the league last season. Another great acquisition was Italian striker Patrick Cutrone from AC Milan and when Wolves are taking strikers from the San Siro, you know they are doing something right. The other incoming transfers were young Portuguese duo Neto and Jordao from Lazio for a combined £22.6m, while Vallejo came in from Real Madrid on a season-long loan to provide Wolves with extra depth for their Europa League campaign.