City still have a weakness and that is their center midfield. They have completely mismanaged their last 2 windows by buying 2 GK's for relatively high fees. I also think Bernardo Silva wasn't needed and instead of him they should have gone all out for CM's like Seri or whatever. There is still quite the imbalance in their team.
Which club has done the best business this transfer window?
- Thread starter AgentP
- Start date
Everton really? I find this very odd. I like the Pickford and Keane signings, but Klaassen and 45m on Sigurdsson? Not selling Barkley? Rooney? I don't see enough goals in their team and they have too many No.10s by at least 2.
I do agree that WBA are worth a shout for some very good deals. Spurs and Huddersfield have done well too. Stoke's Arnautovic/Jese trade is pretty smart.
Bad windows... West Ham, Arsenal, Palace, Newcastle, Brighton, Bournemouth.
United. Each transfer window under Jose we get stronger And stronger. I like what he does in the transfer market
PSG in the world.
In the Prem, I think us and City have done the best business on paper.
In the Prem, I think us and City have done the best business on paper.
They've lost Lukaku but have strengthened in multiple areas from last season. So I'd say that they've done pretty good business in this window.
They have bought a lot of players. Their first team does not look any better IMO.
In the PL, I actually think we have done the best, in terms of approach, quality of incomings, addressing issues within sqaud and size of investment.
Credit to Woodward for delivering without fuss and in time for pre season. Has really gotten good at his job and we're lucky to have him.
Credit to Woodward for delivering without fuss and in time for pre season. Has really gotten good at his job and we're lucky to have him.
Yeah. Team Woodward/Mourinho seems to have a very good understanding, has gone about its business in an organised and strategic manner without fuss or drama.
Surprised Madrid didnt sign anyone.
United for sure. Your squad is the most complete of all 20 Premier League teams.
Chelsea for sure.
Bakayoko, Zappacosta, Willy and Morata.
Absolutely my 1st choices at the start of the window.
Bakayoko, Zappacosta, Willy and Morata.
Absolutely my 1st choices at the start of the window.
West Brom.
Definitely signed well and keeping hold of Evans is also good for them.
+ Rojo, Pererria, Young also in the mix.
Especially Zappacosta. I think Danny Rose, you and me all had to google him.
Really we will find out the answer to this question some way through the season
- Spurs had a cracking late flurry! - Very good window
- United adressed big issues. - Excellent window
- City/Pep went for scattergun approach yet again, crazy money and haven't seemed to address any other issue than their full backs. - Dun know, bit mad so hard to judge.
- Chelsea look worse than before the window. - Not good.
- Arsenal - poor.
- Liverpool have done alright but need to keep hold of Coutinho now. - Very decent (probaby)
What were City's weaknesses last season @SwansonsTache ?
Full backs - sorted.
Centre halfs?
Defensive mid?
PSG and it's not even close.
City still have a diabolical centre-back pairing after Pep has spent the GDP of a small country. That's frankly hilarious.
City still have a diabolical centre-back pairing after Pep has spent the GDP of a small country. That's frankly hilarious.
1. Real Madrid.
2. PSG
3. Liverpool, if you count Naby Keita.
2. PSG
3. Liverpool, if you count Naby Keita.
I don't understand how real have done the best business?
PSG have obliterated all previous transfer windows in my opinion. The worlds 3rd best player and probably the brightest prospect in the game. Sensational.
United the best in the prem for me simply because of matic, of all the positions in PL clubs needing addressed, he fits the bill the most. Lukaku up top just cements it. Meanwhile city have overloaded on 3 or 4 positions when a long term CB partnership was what they needed the most.
Liverpools window is overrated, AOC is pretty overrated IMO and there's no way he won't be getting player at right back at some point.
Tottenhams was just weird, not one PL proven player and Arsenal... enough had already been said.
United the best in the prem for me simply because of matic, of all the positions in PL clubs needing addressed, he fits the bill the most. Lukaku up top just cements it. Meanwhile city have overloaded on 3 or 4 positions when a long term CB partnership was what they needed the most.
Liverpools window is overrated, AOC is pretty overrated IMO and there's no way he won't be getting player at right back at some point.
Tottenhams was just weird, not one PL proven player and Arsenal... enough had already been said.
For PL, I would say us and Spurs. Liverpool had a decent transfer window as well.
For Europe, PSG without a doubt. They'll be real contenders for CL now.
Losers : Arsenal, Chelsea and somewhat Barca.
For Europe, PSG without a doubt. They'll be real contenders for CL now.
Losers : Arsenal, Chelsea and somewhat Barca.
The past few transfer windows have clearly highlighted the importance of buying players that best fit the team instead of just the big name players, which is a habit United did get into during the Moyes-hangover years.
A good example is Real Madrid, who haven't been their usual selves in the transfer market of late, but have probably enjoyed their best 3-4 year stretch in quite a while. Similarly Chelsea last season showed that you don't essentially need the big name signings but the most effective ones. Mourinho in a similar vein seems to have addressed the major issues in the team from last year, thus making the team a stronger and more clinical threat.
Coming back to the question, PSG have clearly upgraded with Neymar and Mbappe but how many more wins are these additions going to get PSG compared to last year? I don't see how vastly different PSG's season is going to be after adding Neymar and Mbappe. They'll definitely win the league, but will it work in Europe? I have my doubts about that. A well drilled team like Atletico will still probably prevail over them over the two legs.
The club with the best window for me will always be the one with the best team after the window shuts, and that clearly is Real Madrid. They've held on to all their players and have added to their depth with players who can make decent contributions. Won't bet against them from winning everything this season.
A good example is Real Madrid, who haven't been their usual selves in the transfer market of late, but have probably enjoyed their best 3-4 year stretch in quite a while. Similarly Chelsea last season showed that you don't essentially need the big name signings but the most effective ones. Mourinho in a similar vein seems to have addressed the major issues in the team from last year, thus making the team a stronger and more clinical threat.
Coming back to the question, PSG have clearly upgraded with Neymar and Mbappe but how many more wins are these additions going to get PSG compared to last year? I don't see how vastly different PSG's season is going to be after adding Neymar and Mbappe. They'll definitely win the league, but will it work in Europe? I have my doubts about that. A well drilled team like Atletico will still probably prevail over them over the two legs.
The club with the best window for me will always be the one with the best team after the window shuts, and that clearly is Real Madrid. They've held on to all their players and have added to their depth with players who can make decent contributions. Won't bet against them from winning everything this season.
Barca still have tomorrow dont they?
They did it last season too. I think they had the best window because like last year they didn't do anything stupid.
In the Premier League, I'd say us or Spurs.
Matic and Lukaku are close to perfect players to fill the obvious holes in our midfield and attack, and both have started exceptionally. I'd have liked a winger and haven't been too impressed with Lindelöf during pre-season, but I think we'll get by with what we have in those positions. We're undoubtedly a stronger team than we were a year ago. We also got Rooney off the wage bill, sort of.
Spurs kept their important players and have made a few very shrewd signings. Getting Aurier for half the money they got for Walker might turn out to be a masterful stroke of business. Llorente is a quality second fiddle to Kane as well. They have a great team and have added important depth.
Liverpool failed to address their hilariously inept defence and got egg on their face with the whole VVD situation. Salah looks good, but there are questions hanging over Coutinho still. Even if he doesn't move he might not be as motivated. Wrapping up Keita is a great piece of business, but it won't help them this season.
Arsenal have a possibly poisonous Sanchez in the dressing room that will leave on a free next year along with Özil. They look like they're falling apart at the moment, and I can't fathom how Wenger was willing to get rid of so many defensive options, like Gabriel, Gibbs, Oxlade and Mustafi, even if the latter didn't move. Holding is a calamity and Mertesacker is retiring next season. They have almost nothing left at the back. Lacazette could light the league on fire, so I guess it's not all bad. Kolasinac is also a very solid option, especially on a free.
Chelsea had to scramble at the end without getting any genuine quality. Morata isn't necessarily an upgrade on Costa and Bakayoko is definitely not an upgrade on Matic. The jury is out on Zappacosta, but the last right back to move to the Prem from Torino hasn't set the world alight. In any case, Chelsea haven't improved their team at all.
City have done well, but at a massive cost. They vastly overpaid for almost all the players they brought in. With Sanchez they would have won the transfer window, but now I'm not sure. Bernardo is a massive talent who will be fun to watch. They had four trouble areas that needed to be addressed (GK, full backs, CBs and defensive midfield) and they've only properly addressed the full backs, despite spending north of £200 million. Plus points for getting rid of a lot of dead weight, even if they went on a free.
Outside of England PSG are the obvious winners and I hope we steer well clear of them in the CL knockouts. Only Real Madrid seem like a stronger team at the moment.
Matic and Lukaku are close to perfect players to fill the obvious holes in our midfield and attack, and both have started exceptionally. I'd have liked a winger and haven't been too impressed with Lindelöf during pre-season, but I think we'll get by with what we have in those positions. We're undoubtedly a stronger team than we were a year ago. We also got Rooney off the wage bill, sort of.
Spurs kept their important players and have made a few very shrewd signings. Getting Aurier for half the money they got for Walker might turn out to be a masterful stroke of business. Llorente is a quality second fiddle to Kane as well. They have a great team and have added important depth.
Liverpool failed to address their hilariously inept defence and got egg on their face with the whole VVD situation. Salah looks good, but there are questions hanging over Coutinho still. Even if he doesn't move he might not be as motivated. Wrapping up Keita is a great piece of business, but it won't help them this season.
Arsenal have a possibly poisonous Sanchez in the dressing room that will leave on a free next year along with Özil. They look like they're falling apart at the moment, and I can't fathom how Wenger was willing to get rid of so many defensive options, like Gabriel, Gibbs, Oxlade and Mustafi, even if the latter didn't move. Holding is a calamity and Mertesacker is retiring next season. They have almost nothing left at the back. Lacazette could light the league on fire, so I guess it's not all bad. Kolasinac is also a very solid option, especially on a free.
Chelsea had to scramble at the end without getting any genuine quality. Morata isn't necessarily an upgrade on Costa and Bakayoko is definitely not an upgrade on Matic. The jury is out on Zappacosta, but the last right back to move to the Prem from Torino hasn't set the world alight. In any case, Chelsea haven't improved their team at all.
City have done well, but at a massive cost. They vastly overpaid for almost all the players they brought in. With Sanchez they would have won the transfer window, but now I'm not sure. Bernardo is a massive talent who will be fun to watch. They had four trouble areas that needed to be addressed (GK, full backs, CBs and defensive midfield) and they've only properly addressed the full backs, despite spending north of £200 million. Plus points for getting rid of a lot of dead weight, even if they went on a free.
Outside of England PSG are the obvious winners and I hope we steer well clear of them in the CL knockouts. Only Real Madrid seem like a stronger team at the moment.
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I think the signings we made were very good but we still needed a winger and a fullback. Liverpool and City did well but also have a few key positions they failed to upgrade on. Spurs did well too, they didn't really lose anyone aside from Walker and they replaced him well, plus they added some much needed squad depth with Llorente and Sanchez. Everton used the Lukaku money well but I still think they'll be weaker than they were with him in the side. Chelsea did okay but clearlY missed out on most of their top targets and selling Matic seems like a mistake. Arsenal are a wreck.
Despite the money spent it's hard to look past PSG as having the best window. They bought the best player that was sold this summer and brought in one of the most talented youngsters in the world, plus one of the best right backs in the world.
Despite the money spent it's hard to look past PSG as having the best window. They bought the best player that was sold this summer and brought in one of the most talented youngsters in the world, plus one of the best right backs in the world.
No desperate signings to plug gaps, just a select few young players to carry them forward in the future. That's just how they roll these days. It's the ideal way to operate as far as I can see.
Not signing Mbappe is a mistake by them imo. They don't really have gaps to plug and haven't really signed any young player that makes you stop and sit up. We tried this strategy when we were on top and a few years later we started to feel the effects. they haven't added anything that's all that valuable so i fail to see how they've done the best business.
glad city didnt get sanchez. they would have an absolute advantage in the race for the PL with sanchez in their attack. overall i would say they are a bit stronger than last year but the defense is still a suspect. 7/10
chelsea hasnt improve which is good for us. morata does look like a great goalscorer though, he will replaced the amount of goals from diego costa. they have replaced matic with bakayoko and while the latter was brilliant for monaco last year, the jury is still out. 6/10
liverpool does look brilliant going forward. salah is a great signing, mane and firmino scoring goals, and who knows coutinho might decide to start playing well for a move next summer again. free flowing attacking football which is typical klopp but defense could undo all the great attacking talents that they've got. 8/10
biggest loser of this window. Arsenal. wenger somehow decides to sell half of his defense without signing any replacements apart from a free transfer signing. ozil and sanchez will leave on a free next summer, motivation will be a big issue even if they are available for at least another 9 months. lacazette will get 15-20 goals which is okay, and giroud is not a bad option. so there is still hope. this window though, 3/10.
spurs actually had a quiet but a very good and late surge to this window. aurier in for walker is a decent punt.they have improved their numbers a bit too which is vital especially towards the end of the season. 7.5/10
Lukaku is a typical sir alex signing, just go for the best PL striker outside the big 4 or 5. matic, a key figure for a PL winning side, signed from a direct rival. lindelof is still raw and unproven so he needs time to settle in. jose didnt get his wanted 4th but resigning Zlatan is a massive boost to the whole team. 8/10.
outside the PL the obvious winner is PSG. the only good thing is that i dont see neymar or mbappe staying there so long ,but still they are going to be a strong contender for the CL this year.
chelsea hasnt improve which is good for us. morata does look like a great goalscorer though, he will replaced the amount of goals from diego costa. they have replaced matic with bakayoko and while the latter was brilliant for monaco last year, the jury is still out. 6/10
liverpool does look brilliant going forward. salah is a great signing, mane and firmino scoring goals, and who knows coutinho might decide to start playing well for a move next summer again. free flowing attacking football which is typical klopp but defense could undo all the great attacking talents that they've got. 8/10
biggest loser of this window. Arsenal. wenger somehow decides to sell half of his defense without signing any replacements apart from a free transfer signing. ozil and sanchez will leave on a free next summer, motivation will be a big issue even if they are available for at least another 9 months. lacazette will get 15-20 goals which is okay, and giroud is not a bad option. so there is still hope. this window though, 3/10.
spurs actually had a quiet but a very good and late surge to this window. aurier in for walker is a decent punt.they have improved their numbers a bit too which is vital especially towards the end of the season. 7.5/10
Lukaku is a typical sir alex signing, just go for the best PL striker outside the big 4 or 5. matic, a key figure for a PL winning side, signed from a direct rival. lindelof is still raw and unproven so he needs time to settle in. jose didnt get his wanted 4th but resigning Zlatan is a massive boost to the whole team. 8/10.
outside the PL the obvious winner is PSG. the only good thing is that i dont see neymar or mbappe staying there so long ,but still they are going to be a strong contender for the CL this year.
They aren't making big transfers cause they don't need them and its not a reason for their success. Their big players that were brought in as big transfers have been key to their success. Those summers when they were splurging has essentially got them where they are right now. Ronaldo, Benzema, Modric and Isco are all key players and they are some of the biggest reasons for what they've been able to achieve recently.
Probably United or PSG. I'm surprised some have suggested Liverpool. I think we have had an awful window. I don't care how good a manager Klopp is, how on earth did he think the only defender that can improve us is Van Djik. I and many other Liverpool fans can't and won't ever understand how the club couldn't find a more reliable defender than Lovren. Even Jonny Evans is more reliable than him. I can't understand why we persist with this clown Lovren, I'd understand if he was a young prospect with potential to improve but this guy is in his late 20s.
You're right, we tried this strategy when we signed Ronaldo and Rooney and won the CL after a few years.
Maybe none of the young players they signed will make you sit up, but then Navas, Casemiro, Asensio etc. probably didn't make you sit up either when they were procured.
I am not sure how much of it was in their intention. They clearly were after Mbappe and the there were plenty of rumours about Hazard. Don't forget they lost Morata and unless one Mayoral takes the next step this season, they might miss some attacking dimension especially with Bale's injury record.
Now that I can't argue with. They may very well find themselves light on in attack. But Benzema, Ronaldo, Bale is still the envy of most clubs, and Isco, Asensio, Modric et, al. will ensure they're still a menace to defend against. Not exactly panic stations.
No not at all panic station obviously. I just think they are the masters at selling that notion that they get whoever they want. Their PR machine works so well to make the impression that anything that happens in the transfer window was the club's plan all along. The reality however is that it was well documented they were interested in Mbappe and Hazard for example and couldn't get either. With any other club, it would be a snub, with Real Madrid, they just didn't want to disrupt what they have.
The only team you can clearly say has been a success is City's. Addressed their needs from an already strong starting point. An absolute abundance of quality and options even without Sanchez. The midfield whilst an issue will still see them dominate the vast majority of teams due to there style of play. I don't see a Guardiola side being overrun per se. Centre back? Better than what we have and a lot more depth too all over the park.
United? Strong squad to start with. Most depth in the league and probably the world. I know you can't judge signings till the end of the season but I think that's even more pertinent in your case. They're good on paper and I think weather you play well or not you'll be in contention for silverware.
Chelsea - They got a taste of what it's like to be us, more than a little hapless in the market for the reigning champions. Although having said that there's no way we'd get close to them even in this window.
Solid signings in the end though who fit in well if not household names apart from Morata.
Arsenal - Join us as the most disappointing. Lot of bluster and that Lemar bid reeks of a fan appeasement PR exercise. Players are lining up to leave. Wenger is Wenger and they'll probably still contend for the top four but it's more of the same for them really.
Liverpool - The signings are good, but weighing up the expectation going in to it, the briefings to the club journos. The 200 mill war chest. Tv money CL money, postive net spend last year and minimal spent under Klopp and indeed the last few years, Zero investment in January's. Top four by the skin of the teeth for which the lads worked tremendously hard and it was all a bit of a shit show for long periods. I don't blame the likes of Coutinho for wanting out after watching the same movie on repeat under us.
We had the most work to do in the window coming in to it. The manger came out and said the work was done and we scrambled around till deadline day to sign a player who was meant to be a depth addition rather than a primary player. I can see where he fits. He strikes me as a little arrogant just a couple phrases he's used that I've picked up on but we'll see maybe it's what it takes for him to succeed here. We want to shed this notion we're a stepping stone club and I get the feeling certain players still look at us like that. That has changed a little already with VVD/Lemar but if we want to be considered a big club we have to act like it and we haven't. It just ranks as a second rate club. This was an opportunity to really cement a top four position and solidify ourselves as challengers. Arsenal are in disarray and Chelsea/Spurs have missed out on key targets we could have closed the gap and tried to overtake it but we failed. Make no mistake we failed, the centre back situation is shockingly negligent. The pieces are still missing, we had an opportunity to really kick on and we failed.
The one great thing we did was get Keita secured. The lad is exceptional but we'll never get a chance to make a real run for trophies because our best players will want to leave and we have to replace them cause we never add to them and create a situation where we have multiple who can win things. I feel like we blew a shot here.
United? Strong squad to start with. Most depth in the league and probably the world. I know you can't judge signings till the end of the season but I think that's even more pertinent in your case. They're good on paper and I think weather you play well or not you'll be in contention for silverware.
Chelsea - They got a taste of what it's like to be us, more than a little hapless in the market for the reigning champions. Although having said that there's no way we'd get close to them even in this window.
Solid signings in the end though who fit in well if not household names apart from Morata.
Arsenal - Join us as the most disappointing. Lot of bluster and that Lemar bid reeks of a fan appeasement PR exercise. Players are lining up to leave. Wenger is Wenger and they'll probably still contend for the top four but it's more of the same for them really.
Liverpool - The signings are good, but weighing up the expectation going in to it, the briefings to the club journos. The 200 mill war chest. Tv money CL money, postive net spend last year and minimal spent under Klopp and indeed the last few years, Zero investment in January's. Top four by the skin of the teeth for which the lads worked tremendously hard and it was all a bit of a shit show for long periods. I don't blame the likes of Coutinho for wanting out after watching the same movie on repeat under us.
We had the most work to do in the window coming in to it. The manger came out and said the work was done and we scrambled around till deadline day to sign a player who was meant to be a depth addition rather than a primary player. I can see where he fits. He strikes me as a little arrogant just a couple phrases he's used that I've picked up on but we'll see maybe it's what it takes for him to succeed here. We want to shed this notion we're a stepping stone club and I get the feeling certain players still look at us like that. That has changed a little already with VVD/Lemar but if we want to be considered a big club we have to act like it and we haven't. It just ranks as a second rate club. This was an opportunity to really cement a top four position and solidify ourselves as challengers. Arsenal are in disarray and Chelsea/Spurs have missed out on key targets we could have closed the gap and tried to overtake it but we failed. Make no mistake we failed, the centre back situation is shockingly negligent. The pieces are still missing, we had an opportunity to really kick on and we failed.
The one great thing we did was get Keita secured. The lad is exceptional but we'll never get a chance to make a real run for trophies because our best players will want to leave and we have to replace them cause we never add to them and create a situation where we have multiple who can win things. I feel like we blew a shot here.
please note I am a Real Madrid fan so prob bias
The players brought into the first team:
1. Theo Hernandez the best young LB in Spain for just €24m (Replaces Fabio Coentrao)
http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/why-...eo-hernandez-for-24m/x1c2of9lm8uozb8oatrl7mp0
2. Marcos Llorente brought back from loan - was 1st or 2nd best DM in La Liga last season, won more takles than any other player in La Liga last season. (Comes in to back-up Casemiro)
http://www.footballwhispers.com/blog/what-can-marcos-llorente-bring-real-madrid
3. Vallejo brought back from loan - was one of the best CB's in the Bundi last season, all be it admittedly injury prone. (Replaces Pepe)
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2017...rival-should-have-fans-dancing-in-their-shoes
4. Archaf promoted from Castilla - Already played for the Moroccon national team, widely regarded. (Replaces Danilo)
http://www.goal.com/en/news/meet-ac...nal-who-could-solve/44lap4fo7qbl178oj6wzgwdqc
5. Borja Mayoral back from loan - Had a terrible year in the Bundesliga, due to never really being given a chance. Was highly regarded before he left. (Replaces Morata/Mariano)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620606-scouting-real-madrids-rising-star-borja-mayoral, said about him before he left on loan
6. Dani Ceballos for €18m from Betis - Player of the Tournament for the recent u21 Euro's, one of the best young players in Spain. (Replaces James)
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2017...os-era-begins-its-uncertain-as-it-is-exciting
So we spent €42m on upgrading the first team this season without losing any of our starting 11 and bought some of the best young talent into the squad
The players that left:
James - On loan to Bayern for €13m, wanted out, complained to Colombian news every other week about his playing time.
Morata - Wanted out, Zidane tried to get him to stay but he wanted a starting role and so left for €85m to Chelsea
Pepe - End of contract, wanted two years, we only wanted to offer one, left on a free
Mariano - Sold to Lyon for €8m, wa our second back up striker to Morata, never got any play time
Danilo - For €30m to Man City, a player all fans were happy to see leave
Diego Llorente - Returned from loan, then sold to Real Sociedad for €8m
Fabio Coentrao - Loaned to Sporting, was always injured
Yanez - third keeper left on a free
Made €144m just from sales and we did not skip a beat, continually building for the future.