The top 4: Who are the winners and losers in the transfer window so far? Posted by freeyzo | June 21, 2014 It has been open for close to 2 months now, and the transfer window has proven as interesting, frustrating and entertaining as always. Premier League clubs have been particularly busy as they begin to reboot and rev up their engines ahead of next year’s campaign. Last year’s top 4 will all be looking to strengthen over the summer. Manchester City have a crown to defend, and Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have one to win. At this early stage though, some managers have apparently strode ahead, whilst others are yet to make a move. The following is an assessment of England’s Champion’s League qualifiers, and their performance in the transfer window so far: 1) Manchester City On the pitch, Manuel Pellegrini is clearly an advocate for fast, expressive, exciting football… But when it comes to his behind the scenes work, he apparently likes to keep his cards exceptionally close to his chest. Manchester City are yet to make any significant moves this summer. Their one major signing has come without a price tag, as Bacary Sagna has joined from Arsenal. An experienced defender, he will provide City with extra cover in defence, but his arrival will not greatly excite the fans. Joleon Lescot has left the club, Gareth Barry has been released, and Jack Rodwell could be about to leave as well. All in all, the English contingent has taken a massive blow at the Etihad, which will disappoint supporters furthermore . The Yaya Toure Birthday cake scandal of last month will also provoke anxiety, although it now looks a little more likely that the talented Ivorian will remain a City player next year. 2) Liverpool Brendan Rogers has probably barely been out of the office since his side finished second in the Premier League last year. The Northern Irish manager has been one of the busiest in England, and probably in world football. Rickie Lambert and Emre Can are the two major signings that have been made so far, and both represent positive developments of the squad. Lambert is unlikey to start with Suarez and Sturridge in the squad, but he does provide another option. Can was a major player for Bayer Leverkusen last season, and he will hope to be the same for Liverpool next year. For the Reds though, it’s all about the players with which they have been linked. Adam Lallana’sis the saga that has dominated the media, but bids for Alberto Moreno of Sevilla and links with Dutch star Daley Blind means that there is plenty of anticipation around Anfield. 3) Chelsea Jose Mourinho appears a man on a mission this summer, as his Chelsea side might have been considered the least successful of all of the top 4 last season. The Special One’s second coming was not as sensational as fans will have hoped, but his second season will be very interesting indeed. The signing of Cesc Fabregas is the biggest piece of Premier League transfer news so far this year. The former Barcelona man should really help Chelsea to form a predatory attack next season. The continual link with Diego Costais an exciting one, despite the Spaniard’s poor World Cup, and talk of a mega money bid for Toni Kroos could have fans rewinding the Premier League years, and reliving the glory days. It has been a sad summer of sorts as well for Chelsea, though. Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are destined to leave Stamford Bridge after garnering legendary reputations. Petr Cech might also find himself ousted, as Thiabaut Courtois arrives back after his 3 seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid. 4) Arsenal Finally, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. After FA Cup victory last May, they will be desperate to build upon a squad of proven winners. Last year they captured Mesut Ozil on the last day of the window, and fans will be hoping for similar ambition. So far, however, the summer has been more destructive than it has constructive. Bacary Sagna has left for Man City, Lukasz Fabianski has left for Swansea City, and Thomas Vermaelen looks on the verge of joining Man United. Wenger has been busy trying to plug new holes in his squad, rather than addressing the long-running problems. It seems, though, that if Arsenal are successful in a bid for either a striker or a holding midfielder, then this window will have been a good one. If they manage to get both, then it will have been great. The ongoing link with Mario Balotelli is amongst the most exciting that the Premier League has thrown up so far. Verdict: Things are really starting to move in terms of summer transfers. Chelsea have been bold and brash, Liverpool are showing ambition, Man City have been strangely conservative, and Arsenal have prompted a little anxiety. The winners of this window so far, have to be Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rogers. Manuel Pellegrini and Arsene Wenger are not losers just yet, though… There is a long way to go.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 12:10:37 +0000
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