Transfer Window Verdict

Yet another summer transfer window has passed by. As usual there were records broken including overall spending from Premier League teams reaching the giddy heights of the £1bn mark. The transfer record for an individual player was broken once again with Paul Pogba’s fee expected to rise beyond the 3 figure mark after add ons.

With the window finally closing yesterday it is still too early to see all of the new players in action for their respective teams. We will have to wait until after the international break to see them unveiled by their new clubs.

Here is a lowdown on the biggest talking points from what we have seen so far.

Winners

Manchester United – Hardly a surprise what with smashing the world record for Paul Pogba but Mourinho has strengthened the spine of the team and already made them title challengers. With Bailly slotting into the Premier League’s physical style like it was a pair of slippers, United look as solid as ever at the back. A certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a free signing of course, has also looked like a great deal with 3 goals in 3 games. Whisper it quietly but they just might be favourites if the new players can stay fit.

Middlesborough – 12 new players have come to the North East and joined Boro. With the deamnds of the Premier League expected to stretch squads to the limit, a bigger squad was crucial for the teesiders. Of course quantity does not mean quality but with the signings of Valdes and Negredo amongst the new players, their is plenty of proven quality not to mention experience. Their steady start to the season suggests they look well equipped to survive the relegation battle.

Liverpool – They finally got rid of Ballotelli – enough said.

Losers

West Brom – With 5 signings through the summer it would seem strange to call it a disappointment for the Midlands outfit. Yet with discontent growing amongst supporters at Tony Pulis’ style, Albion proved just as uninspiring off the pitch. Nacer Chadli proved to be the biggest signing for them and a last ditch move for Wales hero Hal-Robson Kanu will have done little to cheer the fans come 11pm on deadline day. Pulis’ record at staying in the top flight is not to be questioned but with fans demanding more than just survival every year, he has done little to convince them that he shares the same ambition.

Tottenham – Snatching Moussa Sissoko from Everton proved a real coup for Spur’s and their fans. Despite a private jet waiting to take him to Merseyside, Sissoko had other ideas and the lure of Champions League football proved too much. Although some of the signings look like decent additions to the team, Spurs fans will worry what lies ahead. With the added pressure of Champions League football, Tottenham’s squad will be stretched to the max. So far they look short of goals up front and last seasons wonder-boys, Kane and Dele, look like they are still suffering a Euro hangover. The season is still early but with the vision that Levy has for Tottenham the summer transfer window proved a little disappointing for a team that will be looking to fill Wembley for its Champions League home matches this season.

Callum Chambers – slightly under the radar this one but poor old Chambers’ career is at an all time low. All due respect to Middlesborough, Chambers signed from Southampton as a teenage superstar with big things expected under Wenger’s tutelage. But after a tough few years, Chambers saw himself fall even behind 20 year old Rob Holding, a summer signing from Bolton, and was left with no choice but to leave on loan to Boro and seek to rediscover his form and ability.

Surprises

Hart to Torino – Rewind 3 months Joe Hart was both Manchester City and England’s number 1. After a difficult Euro’s Hart, like many international players, was lamented for his sloppiness during the tournament. Calls for new blood got louder with the removal of Roy Hodgson. Little did Hart know however that he was looking over the wrong shoulder and his City career was on the rails. With Cabellero chosen ahead of him and the signing of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, Hart was left with no choice but to move on. It seemed there were plenty of options; Everton and Liverpool seemed likely destinations…. but no. Seria A side Torino signed him on a year long loan. Make of that what you will but I cant see Big Sam making many trips over to Turin through the season. Time will only tell whether Joe seriously believes he can regain his stature in Italy or whether he just fancied a chance to lap up life near the alps.

Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino will be Joe Hart’s new home

 

Wilshere to AFC Bournemouth– Bournemouth fans would have scoffed at the thought of signing Wilshere at the start of the week, let alone at the beginning of the transfer window. Bizarrely though he has joined the Cherries on loan in a move which could prove beneficial to both. A horrid injury record has pushed Wilshere to the back of the queue at Arsenal. If (its a big if) he can stay fit then it will surely only be a matter of time until he can find his form and show fans just how much talent he possesses. This will not only help resurrect his Arsenal/ England career but also help Bournemouth maintain their Premier League status.

David Luiz to Chelsea – Well well well this was perhaps the biggest shock. The man Gary Neville notoriously claimed to play like he was controlled by a ten year old playing on the PlayStation has returned to Stamford Bridge. Its fair to say Chelsea fans aren’t sure if this is good or bad. A cult hero after his first spell at the Bridge, his stats say he has improved since then with PSG where of course he has won numerous domestic trophies. Whether the more competitive Premier League will demonstrate these improved stats are no fluke remains to be seen.

Same old story…..

Arsenal – Pity the gunner’s fans who have gone through yet another torturous transfer window where Wenger has tried to avoid signing players like Jedi resist the ‘Dark Side’. With the early arrival of Xhaka things started promising for Arsenal. Repeated speculation and links to players went by until Wenger finally plucked out Perez and Mustafi. Whilst steady performers, these two are unlikely to be the winning ingredient to take the gunners to the title. Still they should help them secure that beloved fourth spot.

Berahino – Don’t really know if Albion fans were relieved about this or not. Seems like Berahino has spent more time looking for a new club than playing on the pitch for Albion. Bizarrely another window has gone by and he remains in the midlands. Despite his potential, he could still spend a lot of the time on the bench but hey at least he showed real commitment and didn’t threaten to strike this time….

 

Will Champions League Changes Suppress Calls for a Breakaway Super League?

 

Despite an intruiging Champions League draw on Thursday setting up some mouthwatering contests in the group stages, much focus has been on the new changes made by UEFA.

The current system that saw the 4th placed teams from England, Spain and Germany  have to progress through the 3rd qualifying round before entering the draw for the group stages has now been abolished. This now sees all top 4 placed teams automatically qualify instead.

You can read more on the changes and its impact with this informative article by the Telegraph.

These changes have mainly happened due to the growing discontent amongst big European clubs who have failed to qualify for the Champions League. Both Milan giants, AC and Inter, will not be participating this year. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are also missing from an English perspective.

With limited places available in Europes elite competition it is becoming harder to qualify every year. The latest TV deal for the Premier league has already seen record spending meaning things will be more competitive than ever.

In fact according to sport financial experts Forbes, Champions league revenue or rather lack of is the only blemish on some English teams commercial revenue.

With Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all part of the top 10 richest clubs list, there has been great discontent that they are unable to regularly participate in the Champions League. This is coupled with frustration from Europe’s other leading big clubs at the enviable money from the Premier League.

So whilst the changes will guarantee teams qualify for the competition providing they finish within the top 4 of their domestic league, UEFA’s decision actually offers little change.

With the co-efficient ranking system currently suggesting that England’s 4 places are under threat, big clubs will feel that they still face a struggle to compete in the competition every season.

This of course highlights the magnificent achievements of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. He has helped the club qualify for Europe’s elite competition 19 successive seasons in a row. This is even more significant considering they have had to pay off debts of £300 million for the building of their Emirates Stadium.

Whether this has been good enough for Arsenal who have failed to win the Premier League since the ‘invincibles’ season of 2003/2004 has split opinion amongst the fans.

But whilst their consistency has helped them prosper financially from Champions League qualification, other clubs with inconsistent records remain annoyed they can’t compete in the competition due to the limited places on offer.

There are currently 6 English teams in the top 10 rich list. With Tottenham and Liverpool increasing stadium capacities (the latter is a redevelopment whilst Tottenham’s is an entirely new stadium) Champions League football is becoming essential for both clubs.

Forbes Richest Clubs May 2016

1. Real Madrid – £2.52bn

2. Barcelona – £2.46bn

3. Man United – £2.3bn

4.Bayern Munich – £1.85bn

5. Arsenal – £1.4bn

6. Man City – £1.33bn

7. Chelsea – £1.15bn

8. Liverpool – £1.07bn

9. Juventus – £900m

10. Tottenham – £704m

However with their inconsistent form over the last few seasons, a top 4 finish is much more difficult when there are 6 teams competing for it.

So these new changes have actually had little impact from an English perspective. What about elsewhere in Europe?

Well for the Italian league and Spanish league it is a boost as some teams have been knocked out of the 3rd qualifying round this season. The biggest casualty being Roma who were defeated by Porto. Automatic qualification now means that they avoid this potential slip up and will reap the rewards of the Champions League group stages.

However for the big clubs, particularly in Spain with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the changes have little benefit. Their finishing outside the top 3 is rarely in doubt, as is the same with Juventus, PSG and Bayern Munich.

TV deals in these countries whilst fruitful, have yet reached the barmy heights of England’s Premier League.

The Spanish FA’s decision to remove individual TV right deals and install a similar system to England’s means that although the top 2 will not lose money, they will no longer enjoy a vast gap between the other 18 teams in La Liga.

Although lucrative, the Champions league has lost its intruige and struggles to draw the crowds and attention until the latter stages when the big teams finally face off against one another. The new seeding system has helped somewhat, with intruiging ties in the group stages this season – most notably Pep Guardiola’s Man City being drawn with his old club Barcelona.

However these changes to the Champions league seem minor compared to the threat of a breakaway super league. And more importantly its potential.

With big teams playing one another on a regular basis their would doubtless be heightened interest, not to mention increased revenue. It would also offer European teams the chance to enjoy the riches Premier League teams enjoys particularly the TV deals with BskyB (AKA Sky).

The chances of such a league being formed are slim and in reality it is still some way off. In some ways it is a mouth watering prospect seeing the world’s top players play against one another on a weekly basis.

The damage it would do to the overall game though would be insurmountable. The big money would be sucked out of all of the domestic leagues and football clubs leaving them in a vulnerable position. In many ways then, its best not to think too much on what a Super League would mean.

UEFA’s tweaks to its premier competition, if anything, show that they fear this potential idea. Their top clubs rebelling and abandoning them would surely cripple them as well. The latest changes made by UEFA show they are willing to be flexible and recognise the seriousness of a breakaway league.

Whether their changes are significant enough though remains to be seen. Personally I see them having little effect, particularly amongst the big boys. Fundamentally with 6 teams in England having to fit into four places every year, some teams will continue to miss out on a Champions League spot.

This coupled with envious European clubs at the Premier Leagues ever increasing riches means that talks amongst the top teams will continue to bring up the question of a breakaway super league.

Unless UEFA can find a way to accommodate all of them into the Champions League each year and offer financial benefits similar to what the Premier League can provide, then these rumours and discussions of a super league will grow ever louder.

Time to Come of Age for Arsenal’s England Trio?

Will this be Oxlade Chamberlain’s breakthrough season?

Earlier this week Arsene Wenger told the press that this was a big season for Alex Oxlade Chamberlain. Goalscorer in the recent 3-1 pre season win, Chamberlain is showing encouraging signs that this could finally be his break through year.

It was interesting how Wenger singled out Chamberlain. The England international joined the club from Southampton back in 2011, just over a year since he had made his professional debut with the South Coast club aged 16.

Whilst showing glimpses of his potential, Chamberlain has been plagued by injuries and has struggled to compete for the limited places on offer at Arsenal. Now aged 22, Wenger clearly feels it is time for him to demonstrate why Arsenal have shown so much faith in him.

“He has it all. That’s why I would like him to get to the level he can go to.” Arsene Wenger on Alex Oxlade Chamberlain

But whilst Wenger has upped the pressure on Chamberlain to preform on a more consistent basis, it would be wrong to ignore the other English players that have flattered to deceive in their time at Arsenal.

Rumours circulating that Jack Wilshere had picked up a knock were indeed true and now means he will miss Arsenal’s final two games of pre season including the final game against Manchester City on Sunday. Although it would be harsh to say Wilshere has yet to show his true potential due to his terrible injury record, it has become a recurring story for Arsenal fans hearing that Wilshere is injured again.

Football fans’ jovial attitude means they can brush of these injuries off as just ‘typical Wilshere’ but as the years roll by, there will be growing concerns that the excitement and promise may never materialise. Wilshere is different to many of the Arsenal players in the sense that he was brought directly through the academy at an early age. Making his debut at 16 there was real hope that he could become a true home grown legend at the club.

Sadly his legacy so far has been centred around time spent with the physio and unwanted press stories regarding his private life. If it proves to be another season of injury misery for Wilshere, he may find that the fans love for him starts to wain.

Whilst Wenger has shown nothing but loyalty to players with abysmal injury records (messrs Diaby and Rosicky spring to mind) it will be hard for him to justify the rumours surrounding Wilshere’s new deal. Currently earning £90,000 a week and with two years left, talk has been circulating that Wenger is keen to tie Wilshere down with an extension and presumably increase his wages in the process. It would be hard to convince anyone this was the right thing to do if the player only participates in a handful of games a season.

But it isn’t just Wilshere that needs to prove his worth. Theo Walcott has recently backtracked on his desire to play as an out and out forward; now asking to revert back to his old position on the wing.

Again another player with a poor injury record, Walcott finally enjoyed a relatively injury free season last year. Sadly this was the only consistency for him as he struggled to secure  a regular starting roll. His poor display at Old Trafford stands out – being substituted after an hour despite facing a makeshift back four and a Manchester United team seemingly in crisis.

Will a return to the wing bring Walcott more luck?

A scapegoat that day, Walcott never recovered and paid the price for his dip in form being left out of Roy Hodgson’s Euro squad. Many including myself believed he would move on this summer however with reports suggesting he will be playing as a winger once again, it is likely he will stay and fight for his place once again.

Walcott appears better suited to the wide role, with his pace offering Arsenal another element to their game which can at times become predictable. With Wenger sticking to the 4-2-3-1 system, it relies on a solitary striker not only with pace but the physical ability to hold up the ball and find themselves on the end of crosses. How fans would love to put Walcott’s best attributes with Giroud’s.

However Walcott will hope he can return to the position where he has shown his best glimpses. The right wing was of course the position he occupied on his most famous night in 2008 where he scored a hat trick in England’s world cup qualifier in Croatia. The fact that this 8 years ago highlights the point that Walcott’s time really is becoming now or never.

Click here to watch Walcott’s stunning hat trick that night.

Walcott’s decision to change position will cause Alex Oxlade Chamberlain a headache. Now that a similar player will be vying for the same spot makes things harder but nothing is healthier for a team than competition for places.

Whether these three men can indeed fulfil their potential remains to be seen but surely their time is now. With Arsenal seemingly making the same mistakes season after season and Wenger’s stubborn transfer policy following the usual trend so far this summer, the need for these three to finally breakthrough as established first team players hasn’t been greater.

First priority for all three will be to stay fit and healthy but they must now match that consistency in fitness with performances on the pitch. They may have once been the future for the club, but now is the present and time for them show Wenger, the fans and the watching world just what they can do. Otherwise they run the risk of joining the infamous list of football’s nearly men.