Premier League Team-by-Team Transfer Preview
The Premier League is back and with deadline day now over, the squads are full and some of them are close to perfect. Of course in a 38 game season, there is no such thing as the perfect team but Manchester City and even Liverpool might have something to say about that.
ArsenalÂ
It’s been a rollercoaster of a transfer window for Arsenal fans, which should come as a surprise given just how little money they had to spend. 45 million was the figure that had been thrown around since January and everyone seemed to believe it based on Arsenal's history. And that was the truth and then they pulled off a miracle.
In the end, the club did 150 million worth of business, but a large portion of those fees are set to be paid out over the next few years. But for the first time in a really long time, Arsenal made smart moves and they seem to be really smart ones. William Saliba is Laurent Koscielny’s replacement, David Luiz is a short gap solution, while Kieran Tierney, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli are men for the future.
Incomings: Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos, William Saliba, Kieran Tierney, David Luiz, Gabriel Martinelli
Outgoings: Alex Iwobi, Krystian Bielik, Laurent Koscielny, David Ospina, Carl Jenkinson, Takuma Asano, Danny Welbeck, Aaron Ramsey, Petr Cech
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have had a rather impressive transfer window, nope not a joke. This hopefully isn’t like what Fulham did last season, but Villa have made the right improvements all over the place. They may have overspent on Tyrone Mings but that was a decision based on emotion. The rest, on the other hand, are arguably brilliant moves, to take the squad to the next level.
Wesley, Trezeguet, Jota and even Anwar El Ghazi will all add an extra layer to a front-line that depended on Tammy Abraham. Marvellous Nakamba and Douglas Luiz are talented midfielders who have the potential to step it up, while their defense now has enough depth across the line.
Incomings: Wesley, Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz, Matt Targett, Ezri Konsa, Marvelous Nakamba, Trezeguet, Anwar El Gahzi, Tom Heaton, Bjorn Engels, Jota, Kortney Hause.
Outgoings: Ritchie De Laet, Tommy Elphick, Albert Adomah
Bournemouth
On the one hand, you need to give Eddie Howe the credit he deserves for taking a mid-table side and putting up one helluva fight last season. But their lack of depth and ageing back-line meant that the club never had the chance to make that final push for a European spot. Things may never change given their budget, so smart moves was the only way forward.
Lloyd Kelly, Philip Billing and Jack Stacey are just that, with Arnaut Danjuma the marquee signing from Belgium. The young forward has shown promise but will need time to adjust to the more physical English league.
Incomings: Lloyd Kelly, Arnaut Danjuma, Philip Billing, Jack Stacey
Outgoings: Tyrone Mings, Lys Mousset, Connor Mahoney
Brighton and Hove Albion
They endured a torrential 2019, falling out as a mid-table squad and plummeted down towards the relegation zone instead That saw former boss Chris Hughton fired and replaced by Graham Potter, the former Swansea City boss.
His changes include finally replacing the ageing Glenn Murray with Neal Maupay, bringing in Leandro Trossard and spending a club-record fee on Adam Webster. It’s a tough window to decide but it could go hit or miss for the Seagulls.
Incomings: Adam Webster, Leandro Trossard, Neal Maupay, Matt Clarke
Outgoings: Ritchie Towell.
Burnley
Another team that barely managed to survive the fag end of last season, Burnley have a lot to improve upon especially given the fact that they finished 7th the season before last. The loss of the experienced Tom Heaton will initially sting, but Nick Pope has proven to be an able deputy and Bailey Peacock-Farrell has time to grow.
On the other hand, Sean Dyche has managed to keep his defense intact and at the same time failed to replace his ageing full-backs. That does come as a rather big surprise, given how important that position has become, but on the whole, the Clarets look ok.
Incomings: Jay Rodriguez, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Erik Pieters, Danny Drinkwater
Outgoings: Tom Heaton, Stephen Ward, Andreas Lindegaard, Adien O’Niel, Ntumba Massanka.
Chelsea
There is little doubt in anybody’s mind that losing Eden Hazard will hurt the Blues. That will hurt them badly, and cut like a thousand paper cuts. What makes things even worse is the fact that they cannot spend to replace the mercurial Belgian. That combined with David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu leaving the club, doesn’t give them too much to work with.
It’s all up to the academy stars to improve this site, and that is not going to be easy.
Incomings: Matteo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic
Outgoings: Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata, David Luiz, Tomas Kalas, Ola Aina, Ethan Ampadu
Crystal Palace
The headlines at the club screamed departures with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wilfried Zaha both on the list of outgoings. While one left, the other was forced to stay despite handing in a transfer request on deadline day. They did add a few new players across the board, with James McCarthy, Gary Cahill and Victor Camarasa all walking in.
The lack of a new striker may hurt the club in the long run, but hopefully, Jordan Ayew’s arrival can change things in the long run.
Incomings: James McCarthy, Gary Cahill, Jordan Ayew, Victor Camarasa, Stephen Henderson
Outgoings: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jason Puncheon, Pape Souare, Julian Speroni
Everton
This is it for Everton. They’ve had arguably one of the best and smartest windows the club has had in a really long time. And more importantly, they’ve (hopefully) finally managed to replace a certain Belgian who’s now in Italy via an Italian in Moise Kean. He’s young, hopeful, and arguably one of the best chances Everton have at replacing Big Rom.
Then there is their midfield, which is lacking a certain Idrissa Gueye but with Gbamin, Gomes and Delph, there’s a chance of replacing him (Gueye). Alex Iwobi walks in as a talented yet inconsistent winger who’ll replace Ademola Lookman another talented yet inconsistent winger. It’s time for them to start challenging for the top 7 again, maybe even something higher.
Incomings: Alex Iwobi, Moise Kean, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Djibril Sidibe, Jonas Lossl
Outgoings: Idrissa Gueye, Ademola Lookman, Nikola Vlasic, James McCarthy, Brendan Galloway, Phil Jagielka, Mateusz Hewelt
Leicester City
Leicester City may not have done far too much this summer, but Brendan Rodgers has a team for them to do well or at least punch above their weight. Ayoze Perez is a rather brilliant addition and one that has just hit his prime. Keeping Youri Tielemans permanently is arguably the best move any club has made this summer, while Praet adds a little more energy and creativity.
It’s not a title-winning squad, and they still have a few more holes to fill especially with Maguire’s departure, but he has given them enough money and then some to move forward.
Incomings: Denis Praet, Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez, James Justin
Outgoings: Harry Maguire, Shinji Okazaki, Callum Elder, Danny Simpson, Davide Lorenzo
Liverpool
When you are Champions of Europe, everyone wants to join your side. More importantly, you’re linked with practically every player on the planet. But when you are Champions of Europe, you don’t really need major surgery on your side. Instead, you need to start building for the future and that’s exactly what Jurgen Klopp has done.
Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliot are ones for the future, two talented players with a lot of room to grow, something they should manage to do at Anfield.
Incomings: Sepp van den Berg, Adrian, Harvey Elliott
Outgoings: Simon Mignolet, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings, Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic, Alberto Moreno
Manchester City
They may have been Champions of England last season, but this season is a whole another ball-game especially with everyone else making smart additions. They’ve brought in two players capable of improving a team that finished with every available trophy in England last season and at the same time reinforced their future.
Both Rodri and Joao Cancelo are players worth every penny, while Pedro Porro, Angelino and Zack Steffen should do well as long term options. The biggest issue will be Leroy Sane, his future and his ACL tear, but given the depth in his squad, Pep Guardiola is overflowing with options.
Incomings: Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Pedro Porro, Angelino, Zack Steffen, Scott Carson
Outgoings: Danilo, Douglas Luiz, Fabian Delph, Manu Garcia, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Mari
Manchester United
World record sum for Harry Maguire and a lot of money for Aaron Wan-Bissaka means that United have shored up a very leaky defense. That’s about the only positive that the club will have, that’s unless their front-line manages to make up for Romelu Lukaku’s loss. Him leaving for Inter Milan will hurt just as much as Chelsea hurt right now, but the Red Devils have a support system.
It may not be the greatest one but in Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Daniel James and yes even Alexis Sanchez, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is spoilt with talent. Now all he has to do is make them perform consistently over the period of a sixty-odd game season. That’s easier said than done.
Incomings: Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James
Outgoings: Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Valencia, James Wilson, Ander HerreraÂ
Newcastle United
Poor, poor Rafael Benitez, he did what he could with the team and the transfer budget he had, but now things have clearly changed at Newcastle. Ayoze Perez’s departure may have had something to do with that, but the Magpies have spent money all over the place. Whether it’s the right move or not only time will tell, but they needed experience and that’s the one thing they haven’t added.
Of course, Andy Carroll’s homecoming will help but that’s all they have and that might hurt the club, more than they ever expect.
Incomings: Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, Emil Krafth, Jetro Williams, Andy Carroll
Outgoings: Ayoze Perez, Joselu, Mohamed Diame, Freddie Woodman, Jacob Murphy
Norwich City
Norwich City shocked and awed the Championship last season, but then again so did Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with only one team still in the Premier League. The only difference between the two is the fact that the Canaries haven’t made wholesale changes to their squad. In fact, they’ve made the bare minimum changes to the club, which isn’t a lot.
Sam Byram should do relatively well, while Ralf Fahrmann’s experience will definitely help them out, as they move further into the season. It’s not the greatest team in the world, but that was the case last season as well. Only time will tell if Daniel Farke and his side survive.
Incomings: Ralf Fahrmann, Sam Byram, Daniel Adshead, Josip Drmic, Ibrahim Amadou, Patrick Roberts, Rocky Bushiri
Outgoings: Marcel Franke, Ivo Pinto, Steven Naismith, Yanic Wildschut, Tristian Abrahams
Sheffield United
Their off the field issues affected this transfer window for the Blades, especially given the fact that few expected them to be in the Premier League this season. They were the shock and awe special last season and many expect them to go down, albeit fighting. But then towards the end of the window, the Blades broke their transfer record four times in as many weeks.
Phil Jagielka brings a team full of that, while McBurnie and Mousset should help them score a few goals. But former Manchester United man Ravel Morrison is the one to watch out for, he has a bone to pick with the world and could just do it with Sheffield United.
Incomings: Oliver McBurnie, Lys Mousset, Callum Robinson, Luke Freeman, Ben Osborn, Phil Jagielka, Ravel Morrison, Muhamed Besic
Outgoings: Martin Cranie, Caolan Lavery, Conor Washington, Paul Coutts
Southampton
Surprisingly they haven't made too many additions this summer, with only Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo are the marquee signings. They don’t really need too many additions given that they are fully stocked elsewhere and a new deal for Nathan Redmond, means that the Saints are good. However, their biggest issue last season was the lack of goals, which is what Ralph Hassenhuttl should change.
His biggest issue, however, will be defensively with the Saints conceding 65 goals and that is the one area that should have had new players. Yet that didn’t happen, which will be their downfall.
Incomings: Danny Ings, Che Adams, Moussa Djenepo
Outgoings: Matt Targett, Sam Gallagher, Charlie Austin, Steven Davis, Jordy Claise
Tottenham
Tottenham finally spent money and that alone pushes them up on the list. It’s been a rather impressive window for the North London sides, with Spurs bringing in excellent additions this summer. Tanguy Ndombele arrives as their record signing, while Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso are the other additions.
All three are and should be perfect additions to a rather good-looking team and this is it, arguably their last chance. If Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t win something with this side, then there is a genuine chance he might never win anything. Spurs might never again have a better chance, and letting it run free is a massive mistake.
Incomings: Tanguy Ndombele, Ryan Sessegnon, Giovani Lo Celso, Jack Clarke
Outgoings: Kieran Trippier, Vincent Janssen, Josh Onomah, Cameron Carter-Vickers
Watford
A myriad of deals within the final two days saw Watford surge up the list at an incredible pace, especially with the additions of Danny Welbeck and Ismaila Sarr. The latter a club-record move, has given fans hope of emulating their performances last season. Their main issue will be the late move for Danny Rose that fell through, which would have made a world of difference.
But barring that, Javi Gracia has managed to keep his FA Cup finalist squad intact, despite interest for Abdoulaye Doucoure, Roberto Pereyra and even Gerard Deulofeu. His biggest concern will be his ageing back-line, but experience always helps when you are in the middle of a dog-fight.
Incomings: Ismaila Sarr, Danny Welbeck, Bayli Spencer-Adams, Joseph Hungbo, Sam Dalby, Tom Dele-Bashiru
Outgoings: Dodi Lukebakio, Obbi Oulare, Jerome Sinclair, Ben Wilmot, Kwasi Sibo, Miguel Britos
West Ham United
They’ve someone managed to end their rather absurd dependence on Marko Arnautovic, instead of focusing on building a team. That alone gives them a chance, but the fact that they’ve managed to keep Issa Diop, Declan Rice and even Felipe Anderson gives them hope. That combined with the additions of Pablo Fornals, Sebastien Haller and Albian Ajeti, should see the Hammers net a few goals.
But then comes the bad news, with their biggest concern is a defensive line that conceded 55 goals last season has not been improved. Goncalo Cardoso is the only arrival and that should concern a few fans who’re out blowing bubbles at the London Stadium,
Incomings: Sebastien Haller, Pablo Fornals, Roberto, David Martin, Goncalo Cardoso, Albian Ajeti
Outgoings: Marko Arnautovic, Pedro Obiang, Edimilson Fernandes, Lucas Perez, Reece Oxford, Sam Byram, Samir Nasri, Andy Carroll, Adrian
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is known to keep a tight squad and that’s exactly what happened last season. He used a bare minimum number of players over the course of the season and still managed to pull off rather incredible results. In the end, they finished 7th, bringing a whole new set of problems.
They haven’t made too many reinforcements adding just Patrick Cutrone and Bruno Jordao permanently, alongside Leander Dendoncker and Raul Jimenez. Jesus Vallejo joins the quartet on loan and Pedro Neto finally arrives permanently. This does give them some hope, but it’s still a small squad and that may cause a few problems.
Incoming: Patrick Cutrone, Pedro Neto, Raul Jimenez, Leander Dendoncker, Bruno Jordao, Flavio Cristovao, Jesus Vallejo
Outgoings: Kortney Hause, Ethans Ebanks-Landell, Jack Ruddy, Michal Zyro, Helder Costa