Transfer Window Summer 2013

[Maxtremists]

So with the transfer window slamming shut and only a couple of deals trickling through now, it may be soon but I think now would be a good time to look back over the transfer window. Would be too long to look at all the teams so just gonna focus on our main "rivals",

Tottenham
Will start with us and have to say we have played a blinder this transfer window. We've broken our own transfer record 3 times this summer and have finally got the depth in squad we needed. With such exciting prospects like Lamela and Eriksen in our ranks, it's very exciting times at spurs. The key thing now is patience and allowing the team time to grow and start to reach their potential. If, at the very least, we only see glimpses of it, then I think we'll have an amazing season.

Arsenal
Let's make no mistakes about this, Ozil is a fantastic player and a world class signing for them. He's a great player for them to have and there's no way around that. What has to be said though is that their squad lacks depth. We saw it on Sunday with the injuries starting to pile up there. Whilst they have a great team and have a great chemistry in them which was enough to see us off on Sunday, they don't look like they have a squad big enough for all the games they will be playing and I think not investing all around the pitch will cost them in the long run. January will be very telling if Wenger choses to spend to reinforce or sticks with what he's got. With Ozil being such a world class signing is that all Wenger is going to do?

Man City
They did their business early and did it well. They got quality internationals and whilst they possibly played more than some players are actually worth (Fernandinho) they are all quality signings for them. They've trimmed the squad a bit to fit them in by shifting the likes of Scott Sinclair and all round have had a good squad... question is can they play together. Games VS Cardiff and Hull show they are there for the taking, especially when Kompany is out of their team.

Manchester United
Where do we begin with Manchester United? Moyes hasn't exactly set the world on light yet and has inherited a very average Manchester United side with a couple of world class players in RVP and Rooney. Other than that they don't seem to be that exceptional anymore and haven't been convincing. They need a creative player on the pitch and with Kagawa on their books it's a wonder why he hasn't featured yet. He must be injured or something, Moyes seriously can't be looking at him and thinking he's just not good enough? Fellani coming in (not confirmed at my time of writing) it's like a worse version of Arsenal. Not what they needed and not even world class. Seems like both Manchester teams are there for the taking at the moment.

Chelsea
They had a good squad to begin with, they've now got an even better one. So good they don't even need to play Mata. With signings of players like Willian and Schrule, attacking prowess is not gonna be a concern of theirs and they will create a lot of chances. With Mourinho at the helm they will win a lot of games and tend to just comfortably see out a lot of 1-0 and 2-0 victories and they are in a very strong position. Eto'o could turn out to be a great bit of business as he will score and De Bruyne looks like a great player to have back on loan already. Letting Lukaku go out on loan makes sense as he needs playing time and he didn't seem to be getting it at Chelsea but as things stand they look in a real position of quality and strength.

Liverpool
They're like Tottenham light. They've added strength in depth to their squad and signed players they needed. They've not signed any world class players but have signed a lot of potential. They'll be a real threat this year and more importantly they've managed to keep their best player for now. Suarez doesn't seem to have disrupted them at all and they are just steadily progressing. A top 4 challenge on the cards and after beating Manchester United they've shown their capable of playing with the big boys again. Their weakness will be like ours in that they need the team to gel properly and will need players to come big throughout the season and not have off moments. Not to mention the ticking time bomb that is Suarez could explode and disrupt their season but he could just ignite it. Exciting times at Liverpool and they'll be in the mix come the end of season if all goes to plan

What about you guys? What are your thoughts on how this transfer window went in regards to us and our rivals?
Think it'll be a good year for spurs?

 

[OmarsComing]

What about West Ham?

 

[Syn_13]

Nice article, agree with most things being said. I think it's going to be a very interesting season. We've got our problems to contend with as much as any of the others. We lack top quality full back options/cover, need to adopt a more creative approach (hopefully Eriksen, Lamela and Holtby can help) and need to get several players working together.

I think our window has been one of the more successful ones as we've strengthened our squad depth and addressed key issues like a striker and a creative player.

Liverpool did really well. Keeping Suarez was key to them being in the top 4 race. Still lacking a bit in midfield and defensive talent, IMO, but a very good attack and lots of creativity.

City did well beause they got very good players in early on but really should've signed a top notch centre back. Silly that they didn't really.

Chelsea didn't need that much but added more depth. I think they missed out on not bringing in a world class striker.

If I were an Arsenal or United fan I'd be concerned. I think most Gooners will still worry about their lack of depth and defensive options. Great signing in Ozil but not addressing key issues. Viviano's not that great either, still think they need a better keeper.

United haven't set the world alight this season so far and look like they've had a poor window too. Paid over the odds for Fellaini when you consider we signed Capoue and Paulinho for the same amount (both player I rate higher than Fellaini). Moyes is off his rocker to not play an ageing Giggs and Young over Kagawa.

I expect to see Chelsea and City fighting for the title this season. I think the top 4 battle will be between us, Liverpool, Arsenal and United. 2 spaces to contend for and 4 into 2 doesn't go. It's going to be a tough year...

 

[Danny1]

So, the dust has settled on the Summer Transfer Window and I thought I'd take a look at how the "top 6" teams have fared and what their squads are looking like. With all the 6 teams playing a 4231 it can be easily assessed to how good the squads are:

MANCHESTER UNITED​

De Gea (Lindergaard)​

Rafael (Smalling) - Ferdinand (Jones) - Vidic (Evans) - Evra (Buttner)​

Carrick (Fletcher/Giggs) - Cleverley (Anderson)​

Valencia (Zaha) - Fellaini (Rooney/Kagawa) - Welbeck(Young/Nani)​

Van Persie (Chicarito)​

​

MANCHESTER CITY​

Hart (Pantilimon)​

Zabaleta (Richards) - Kompany (Demichelis) - Nastasic (Lescott) - Clichy (Kolarov)​

Toure (Javi Garcia) - Fernandinho (Rodwell)​

Navas (Milner) - Silva (Negredo) - Jovetic (Nasri)​

Aguero (Dzeko)​

​

CHELSEA​

Cech (Schwarzer)​

Ivanovic (Azpilicueta) - David Luiz (Cahill) - Terry - Cole (Bertrand)​

Ramires (Essien) - Lampard (Mikel)​

Hazard (Schurrle) - Oscar (Mata) - Willian (De Bruyne)​

Eto'o (Torres/Ba)​

​

ARSENAL​

Szczesny (Fabianski)​

Jenkinson (Sagna) - Mertesacker (Vermaelen) - Koscielny - Gibbs (Monreal)​

Wilshere (Flamini) - Ramsey (Diaby)​

Walcott (Ox-Chamb) - Ozil (Arteta) - Cazorla (Rosicky)​

Giroud (Podolski)​

​

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR​

Lloris (Friedel)​

Walker (Naughton) - Kaboul (Chiriches) - Vertonghen (Dawson) - Rose (Fryers)​

Sandro (Capoue) - Paulinho (Dembele)​

Lamela (Townsend) - Eriksen (Holtby/Siggy) - Chadli (Lennon)​

Soldado (Defoe/Adebayor)​

​

LIVERPOOL​

Mignolet (Jones)​

Johnson (Kelly) - Toure (Skrtel) - Agger (Sakho) - Enrique (Cissokho)​

Lucas (Allen) - Gerrard (Henderson)​

Moses (Ibe) - Suarez (Alberto) - Coutinho (Sterling)​

Sturridge (Aspas)​

​

So there you have it, in my opinion all 6 teams have strong first elevens but you can see, particularly with Liverpool and Arsenal, they their squads will be susceptible to injuries. Also I think the above points out that everyone saying Utd will struggle this year could be wrong as they actually have a big squad of talented players!​

​

Whats your views?​

 

[Harry Barber]

On paper (and imo) we have a better team than the scum, Liverpool and ManU. It will be interesting to see how things pan out.

 

[CowInAComa]

there is fuck all between them, i think liverpool lack strength in depth but the first team is pretty good, I think our strength in depth is as good as anyones.

It'll come down to who can hit form/avoid bad form for the longest.

Its a proper league.

 

[panoma]

Liverpool dont need the same depth considering they have no europe. They have done an amazing job trimming their squad from an overpayed and stocked squad to now having a great first team with a few solid backups. Thats all they need when not in europe.

Mignolet
Johnsen - sakho/toure - agger - Enrique
Lucas - gerrard
Moses - suarez - coutinho
Sturridge

They have one game a week and i worry about that team.

 

[CowInAComa]

Utd will miss out on CL this year.

 

[RButch]

How I look at it is, on paper we have the 3rd best squad but our mentality is probably the worst/5th meaning that we will not fulfil our potential until we become mentally stronger. This can happen in one way and that is winning... Performances count in the short term but results count in the long term.

 

[fatpiranha]

Looking at those squads must be pretty depressing viewing for supporters of premiership teams outside the top 6. I can see 76 pts not being enough for CL qualification this year. No European commitments is a big advantage for Liverpool with their relatively thin squad. Nobody looks nailed on for the top 4.

 

[CowInAComa]

Looking at those squads must be pretty depressing viewing for supporters of premiership teams outside the top 6. I can see 76 pts not being enough for CL qualification this year. No European commitments is a big advantage for Liverpool with their relatively thin squad. Nobody looks nailed on for the top 4.

even when the sky 4 dominated English football and no one was close, 76 points would have walked CL.

If anything having 6 teams capable of finishing top 4 will lower the points needed... thats almost a 3rd of the league taking points off each other.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Yeah. Liverpool have a significant advantage with no European commitments of course.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Arsenal and Liverpool are no more susceptible to injuries than we are with back up players like Naughton, Dawson, Fryers, Lennon, Townsend, Defoe.

I think Arsenal have a stronger squad than us now. ManU are the team we should gunning for. On paper they have the weakest squad in that top 6 IMO. It will be interesting to see what Moyes can do, after all, he achieved top 5/6 finishes with fuck all before so he's working with better players/squad now.

 

[CowInAComa]

Arsenal and Liverpool are no more susceptible to injuries than we are with back up players like Naughton, Dawson, Fryers, Lennon, Townsend, Defoe.

I think Arsenal have a stronger squad than us now. ManU are the team we should gunning for. On paper they have the weakest squad in that top 6 IMO. It will be interesting to see what Moyes can do, after all, he achieved top 5/6 finishes with fuck all before so he's working with better players/squad now.

Re: Arsenal . Stronger now they have bought one player in a position they already had cover in? How so.

And I thought our back up squad also consisted of Chiriches, Adebayor, Capoue, Holtby, Gylfi and Dembele?
Added to your list thats pretty impressive and deep in my book. Left and right back being the concern but not insurmountable (Verts and Kaboul have both played there at points in there career with us)

 

[don1]

I think Everton can't be ruled out of the top6 either think they done good signings yesterday,

 

[dagraham]

Looking at those squads its clear to see where our strengths and weakness are in personnel. Our fullbacks just dont compare to to Chelsea, the Manc teams and even Liverpool on the LB side. Also, although Utd are weak in CM they still have a fantastic strike force and they have learnt over the years that strikers win you games.

I don't think either us or Arsenal have the depth in the CF position to compare with the big boys. If you hypothetically injure the top striker in all those teams you are left with :

Utd - Rooney, Wellbeck, Hernandez
City - Negredo, Dzeko, Jovetic
Chelsea - Torres, Ba
Spurs - Ade, Defoe
Arsenal - Podolski (maybe Walcott)
Liverpool - Sturridge, Aspas.

I'm pretty happy with our 3 strikers but it doesn't compare to the top three teams.

Its going to be a battle and we have the disadvantage of having to integrate the most new players so it will all about the way AVB sets the team up and how the new boys settle in.

I would be delighted to finish 4th and then be in a postition to have this squad grow together and have the lure of CL football to attract a couple of stellar signings to then push on.

 

[stormfly]

Everyone talks about Liverpool not being in Europe but we can pretty much put out a second team and still make it to the later stages so we should have our first fresh and fit for every league game too.

 

[thinktank]

Chelsea, Liverpool and City will be right up there this season.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Re: Arsenal . Stronger now they have bought one player in a position they already had cover in? How so.

And I thought our back up squad also consisted of Chiriches, Adebayor, Capoue, Holtby, Gylfi and Dembele?
Added to your list thats pretty impressive and deep in my book. Left and right back being the concern but not insurmountable (Verts and Kaboul have both played there at points in there career with us)

I worry about our first choice left and right back let alone our back ups. Yes we have a good squad now but no better than Arsenal's. They may have had players who could play positionally where Ozil will, but they were not remotely in his league. It's like saying why have we strengthened by signing Soldado when we already have Defoe tom play there.

Ozil is world class. Top banana. He was the most productive chance maker in Europe last year and that includes players at Barca, Bayern, Dortmund, Chelsea, ManU, ManC etc.

I still find it hard to believe that Real were stupid enough to sell him. I guess the banks may have had something to do with it, his 42m fee recovering half the Bale money in one go. But personally I'd have been tempted to push Ronaldo up as a pure striker and played Isco/Ozil/Bale behind him.

But I digress....I am not saying we haven't got better good squad now, we have, just that people seem always to view other team's squads with blinkers, especially where Arsenal and Liverpool are concerned. For me, the signing of Ozil and Flamini (who will give them something they have been lacking - bite and busy ****edness) has given them a definite edge over us in terms of overall personnel.

 

[WiganSpur]

Looks extremely competitive. Top 4 is going to be harder than ever even with our signings. Liverpool suddenly look good after their flurry of recent signings and when Arsenal get their injured players back they look a very good side. Ultimately it's going to come down to luck with injuries IMO.

I'm predicting:
1.Chelsea
2.Man City
3.Man Utd
4.Arsenal (just)
5.Spurs
6.Liverpool (just)