With the UEFA Cup qualifiers in full swing and the Football League season opening up this evening with Norwich facing Watford, the summer break from the sport is over. It’s not like there was a World Cup on, was there?
The Community Shield match takes place this Sunday, the curtain-raiser for a new Premiership season. Rather than make lots of foolhardy predictions for that said championship, this blog (and the next) will look at the transfer activity of the clubs who will compete in it, as that goes a long way to deciding trophies, league position and, for a good few, survival or relegation. There are, of course, several weeks to go of wheeling and dealing, but who has done best in this context of varying financial concerns and new squad rules?
Arsenal’s key signing so far has been striker Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux. He has performed well in Ligue 1 and could be an effective foil for Robin van Persie, or another option in harder times. He’ll need to adapt to the English game quickly, especially with the injury to Nicklas Bendtner and the sales of Eduardo and Merida. Also going out of Arsenal are two central defenders, Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos. The signing of little-known Laurent Koscielny is unlikely to be enough – either some Wenger younglings have to step up to partner Thomas Vermaelen (with the release of William Gallas), or another signing or two will be attempted. Arsene Wenger should also sign another goalkeeper to challenge Manuel Almunia. The link to Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer is not without reason – Almunia has had his fair share of howlers in the past few years. The most crucial ‘transfer’, however, is captain Cesc Fabregas – his confirmation today that he will remain Gunners captain is a huge boost ahead of a challenging season.
Aston Villa are yet to make any signings, despite releasing Wilfred Bouma and Marlon Harewood. Their starting eleven is among the best in the league, but their tiring legs saw them finish poorly again last time out. Goalkeeping is no concern, but Martin O’Neill has to address the defence. Luke Young almost joined Liverpool, which would have left Villa barely any options. Cueller and Collins are currently injured, and Dunne picked up a knock in the friendly against Valencia. More options, therefore, are a must. The midfield could take a couple of new faces (especially if/when James Milner joins Manchester City) – though Mark Albrighton looks an exciting prospect – and the forward line perhaps some help too, though this is not as great a concern.
For Birmingham, the aim is to avoid the ‘second-season syndrome’ that has plagued the likes of Reading and Wigan in recent times. The owner’s money has been put to good use, with the recruitment of the Serbia giant Nikola Zigic from Valencia, midfielder Enric Valles and paradoxical goalkeeper Ben Foster from Manchester United. Foster is without doubt a fine shot-stopper, but appeared to suffer from stage fright when given his chance at Old Trafford. At St Andrews, it could be a very different story – while he’ll struggle to live up to Joe Hart’s wonderful spell there, I think he’ll start rebuilding his reputation as one of England’s best young keepers. Zigic provide another option to a side who scored relatively few goals last term, as target-man and goal-scorer to help Benitez and Jerome. The men going out (Carsley, Vignal, Queudrue, and McSheffrey) probably wouldn’t have made much impact, though McLeish might want to ensure he still has enough cover in defence.
Blackburn have bought no-one as yet, not that they need to. Keeping the men who achieved last year’s mid-table finish is the priority, which they have done, with the exception mainly being Steven Reid to West Brom, hardly a great loss.
Blackpool, certainly a candidate to go straight back to the Championship, have also brought in no new players. They have trimmed their squad of players likely to be on the fringes of the squad (the likes of Bouazza and Martin), but I would argue they need to get in up to half a dozen new faces to have much of a chance against England’s best.
Bolton’s Owen Coyle has done well for himself. He’s cleared out a few fringe players (like Hunt and Vaz Te) and made some excellent signings. Martin Petrov was gained at a very cheap price and will add a spark of creativity to the attack. Ivan Klasnic was a threat up front last season and his permanent signing is a definite boost – he’ll need more goals to justify his place, though. Robbie Blake comes from Coyle’s old club Burnley and will add another option to the above two (plus Taylor, Lee, Davies, etc) going forward. Marcos Alonso, a left-back, was signed from Real Madrid. Coyle was delighted by his capture, though how much he’ll feature this season is debatable. He had little game-time at Madrid, but must have shown something for the La Liga giants to bring him on board. Just not enough to convince them to keep him. Then again, remember that young Spaniard Gerard Pique? What happened to him again?
Chelsea are entitled to stick with what they have, as Premiership and FA Cup holders. Whether swapping Joe Cole for Yossi Benayoun proves sound business, only time will tell. He looks likely to bell be joined, however, by Benfica’s Brazilian midfielder Ramires. He performed well when called on by Dunga at the World Cup, and could fill in the gap in defensive midfield that Mikel has struggled to plug in the absence of Michael Essien. Losing Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack on free transfers might deprive the Blues of useful squad members, not that those two would view themselves in that way. In Ancelotti’s shoes, I would be looking for a little more defensive cover, but really that’s about it.
Everton are looking to bolster a squad that struggled when a few key members were injured at the start of last season – but if they go into this one as they finished the last, Everton’s fans will be delighted. The capture of Jermaine Beckford from Leeds could be a masterstroke, though Beckford is yet to prove his ability on the biggest stage. Oh, except that one. There are a couple more new names (like Joao Silva and Jan Mucha) for us to get to know, though again it will be the likes of Howard, Baines, Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill and Saha who will decide Everton’s league placing. The loss of Dan Gosling might pain the Toffees in the future, but that is yet to be seen.
Philippe Senderos and Jonathan Greening are Fulham’s summer signings, the latter completing a permanent move to Craven Cottage after his loan spell from West Brom. Like Blackburn, Fulham have been looking to keep the personnel who got them to the UEFA Cup final. Unfortunately for them, that hasn’t extended to the manager, Roy Hodgson. But Mark Hughes is more than proven at this level and will be out to show Manchester City why they shouldn’t have sacked him. Fulham knew before the summer that young defender Chris Smalling was off to Old Trafford, so have had plenty of time to look out for new defensive cover. Senderos may well be joined by a couple of new names; Hughes will also be looking for someone to provide spark up front (Zamora is not guaranteed to be successful again), hence the link to Craig Bellamy.
Liverpool have made the equivalent of four brilliant transfers: the manager Hodgson, experienced and a steady hand at the wheel of what, last season, was less sinking ship as a vessel dragging itself along the seabed; Joe Cole, a great free transfer from Chelsea, who possesses oodles of skill and creativity; then the keeping of the world class pair of Gerrard and Torres. Gerrard will want to demonstrate last season’s poor showing was a one-off – he was, arguably, England’s best player at a dismal World Cup, and remains an attacking midfielder any side in the world would love to have. Torres had a torrid time in South Africa but, once at full fitness, is more than capable of shredding Premiership defences like he used to. Forward Milan Jovanovic and centre-back Danny Wilson are likely to be introduced slowly, but are good squad players to have. Benayoun, of course, has gone, as has Albert Riera; one much more of a loss than the other! Mascherano has been angling for a move and, assuming someone snaps him up, Hodgson will have another position to fill (or can Lucas demonstrate some ability worthy of a Brazilian?); but so far so very good for the Reds. Or should I make that, ‘The Reds. Trademark of the Chinese Government’?
Manchester City haven’t half been splashing the cash in order to finally get that top-four place. On paper, they should be well on their way. Replacing Petrov, Garrido and Bojinov with four World Cup stars is a good start. Jerome Boateng played his part in a highly impressive German side, though like many full-backs his age, looked promising going forward and a little naive when defending. Aleksandar Kolarov will have a £17 million price-tag to justify, and provide stiff competition for Wayne Bridge. Solid and experienced Yaya Toure joins from Barcelona to play in front of his brother Kolo; I would say Gareth Barry (awful at the World Cup) will be hard-pressed to get in a team featuring two of Toure, de Jong and Vieira. Looking further forward, David Silva is an exciting addition, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him struggle. He has gone off the boil a little in the past couple of seasons (compared to a stunning few years) for Valencia and barely featured in Spain’s World Cup triumph. Adapting to the pace and physical nature of the Premiership will prove a challenge. I can’t see him having the impact of countrymen Fabregas and Torres in this league. Despite these new faces, City have struggled pre-season (four defeats out of five) and I remain unconvinced by Roberto Mancini’s ability to mould a team out of talented individuals. He knows the time is ticking on his time at Eastlands. He needs these new players (and Given, Tevez, Adebayor and the returning Robinho) to win success, or he’ll follow Hughes out the door. Is looking for Milner and Balotelli a sign of desperation?
I’ll discuss the second half of the Premier League teams in the next blog, coming very soon!
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