With just a couple of weeks to go until the new Premier League season starts, we look at what the top six have been doing in the transfer market which, to be honest and with the exception of Liverpool, is not a lot.
Manchester City
The champions seem to be relying on last season’s heroes to retain the title this time around. They have, in fairness, added top quality in Riyad Mahrez but, having been cheated out of Jorginho by Chelsea’s immoral and unethical way of conducting business, they seem no nearer to replacing Yaya Touré although they still have a bit of time left yet.
They may also choose not to spend money on replacing him as he was rarely selected anyway.
Such was the distance by which they won the title last season that they are clear favourites this time out as well.
Manchester United
When José Mourinho stops moaning for long enough to assess his current squad he will, no doubt, realise that he has not spent that wisely during his time at United.
That is quite ironic as he has been spouting forth exactly that message to Jürgen Klopp on who he is now trying to pile the pressure by saying that he HAS to win something this season.
With the futures of Victor Lindelof, Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly all in some question it is Mourinho who may find himself under pressure if the early season signs are not good.
Fred is yet to make his debut for United
Having signed Fred as a replacement for Michael Carrick who, similar to Touré at City, rarely played, and Diogo Dalot, a young full back who, in truth, could replace any of the current pair, the manager is still light in the defensive department and will look for at least two more signings before the big kick-off.
As the squad is at present, United will do well to finish third.
Liverpool
The biggest spenders during this window to date. Mourinho is right in that, at some stage, Klopp has to turn all this money spent into something tangible. Reaching the final of certain competitions will no longer be accepted as success and, with the likes of Alisson, Shaqiri, Keita and Fabinho added to his squad, the German will be expected to mount a serious title challenge.
The biggest problem for Klopp will be consistency. It’s fine having the Indian sign over Pep Guardiola but, in the league, that is only two games per season. He needs to find a way of beating the others on a regular basis.
If he does then Liverpool could even win it but, as it stands, second is his best bet.
Tottenham Hotspur
Daniel “Ebenezer” Levy has yet to let Mauricio Pochettino spend any money this transfer window and the whole world, (well, a small part of North London anyway), is waiting to see what happens.
How many new signings will Spurs make? How many do they need? These questions will both be answered in the next two weeks as Levy either springs into action or remains slumbering in his comfy armchair.
If nothing is forthcoming at White Hart Lane then Tottenham will not finish in the top four this next season and may even be overtaken by West Ham United. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Chelsea
The first of the unknown quantities that now exist in London. The only thing we really know about them is that their transfer dealings leave a heck of a lot to be desired.
Olivier Giroud may be sold along with Álvaro Morata, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois leaving Victor Moses to score the goals and Rob Green to prevent them. Good luck with that then!
Apparently Maurizio Sarri will have the team playing more like Brazil than Italy which should be interesting when they play Manchester City at The Etihad.
Having bought Jorginho, against his will, and Robert Green, (a signing to rank alongside those of Danny Drinkwater, Willy Caballero and Tiémoué Bakayoko), Chelsea will need to add some firepower if they are to be taken seriously. Álvaro Morata has been a flop and, if Eden Hazard leaves for Real Madrid, there is nobody who will score the amount of goals required to mount a challenge, particularly if, as expected, Olivier Giroud is sold.
With Thibaut Courtois also looking for a lifeboat it seems the good ship Chelsea is in need of some serious re-balancing.
Given that Sarri is unproven and has won nothing in easier leagues than the Premier League the Stamford Bridge team will be lucky to make top four. They may even be overtaken by West Ham United. Wouldn’t that be fun?
And finally…..Arsenal
The other unknown quantity in London. Unai Emery will be expected to return Arsenal to the former giddy heights of the top four from which they have now been absent for two years. That will be enough for the hierarchy but, for the fans, it will only represent a return to the ways of Stubborn Old Man.
Emery has to start winning things again at The Emirates before the supporters will fully believe in him.
He has brought in five new players with Lucas Torreira being the most expensive. None of them would be considered “star” acquisitions but they are for positions which needed strengthening. Bernd Leno, for example, will give Petr Cech some very strong competition for the number one spot and the centre back positions have been well reinforced with the arrival of Stephan Lichsteiner and Sokratis.
This may well be enough to return Arsenal to the top four but the way it is panning out the battle between the London clubs is going to be for one place, which is fourth, behind the Manchester clubs and Liverpool.
Strangely enough, one London club which may overtake the rest and finish fourth is West Ham United. Now that would be fun!
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