The caf will be the caf. This thread is molding into a typical caf thread - half the people moaning that this window is bad, because we haven't signed Kane or Osimhen, we haven't signed Kim (although the only time they've seen Kim is on a picture in a tweet) and we aren't considering signing Mbappe, Kimmich, Musiala, Kvaratshkelia. Murthough is useless because he hasn't convinced FDJ and his girlfriend/wife to relocate to Manchester.
What people fail to see is August just started and we have signed our top 3 targets for fair fees (mind you Hojlund pending announcement). I myself am in disbelief we've completed these deals within a month. Usually we'd get linked to a player and then it will take anywhere from 2 months to a year until we sign him, going through all the phases (thinking to consider to prepare a preparation template to use when certain that will prepare a bid to submit), or the rumors will go around forever (I heard we might be getting Nico Gaitan this window). No sagas, no knock backs, no 'deal is off, off to the next target'. It's clear to see preparation was done on time, targets were identified and compiled into a list, list was filtered based on financial packages and other factors. Window opened and we went on with our business, showing that even if we have a kitty to spend we are not in for a rinse job.
The players? I am certain Mount and Onana are the right signings. I've said it before - we need Eriksen to replace McTominay as the back up midfielder and bring upgrade on Eriksen. Someone with more gas in the tank, younger, still developing, entering his prime years, bringing a lot of energy in our midfield. And I think Mount is that player. He's also a player that will contribute goals
18/19 11G 6A (8&5 in Championship),
19/20 8G 6A (7&6 in PL),
20/21 9G 9A (6&6 in PL),
21/22 13G 16A (11&10 in PL),
22/23 3G 6A (3&2 in PL).
Yes, last season's numbers aren't great but Chelsea were dreadful all year round. So, excluding last season, he's on a progressive curve and I think under a coach with a plan (his best numbers are under Tuchel) he can bring a lot to the team.
Onana - there's no point to discuss there. The guy spent over 10 years in La Masia and Ajax, so I think we can expect him to be a modern keeper confident on the ball, good passing. Is he a better shot stopper than prime De Gea? Maybe not. Is he still a very good shot stopper - probably yes.
Rasmus Hojlund - great prospect. Runs, presses from the front, good technical ability, good finishing, only 20 years old - full of energy. But yeah, still raw, costing over 70 million, bound to be put under the spot light and every move dissected with a microscope. We are United - it's the usual. The only worry here is that he's rather a prospect instead of the finished product, but we clearly don't have the money for the finished product so we had to settle for the next best thing and hope we can develop it.
And I think these 3 players were the absolute must to add to the squad as new players/options.
So far, this summer has been a solid 8.4/10. We'll never get to a 10/10 this summer, simply because of the striker we went for. But we surely can improve the transfer window rating.
I think it's crucial we upgrade on Fred and bring back up for Casemiro at least, hopefully upgrade on Maguire as well, but I don't think we have enough time for that.
Amrabat seems like is happening - not sure if that's the upgrade on Fred or the back up for Casemiro, but he's a good option, in the prime of his years, for decent fee, and he's shown that if he believes in the team he'll put his heart in it. I believe we'll have this sorted pretty soon, which would mean we'll have the core group ready at least a week before the season starts and we'll have another 3 weeks of transfer window where we can concentrate solely on the outgoings and we won't be stressed about incomings.