WINNERS
Manchester United
They signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba. We could just end there. But United’s business this summer is the polar opposite to the shambles of recent seasons. They aimed big and were decisive. The fact they were nowhere to be seen in the deadline-day scramble was to their credit. Zlatan and Pogba have restored an aura to the club, while the likes of Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mikhitaryan could develop into real stars at Old Trafford.
Bournemouth
They were in League One three years ago. On deadline day they signed England international Jack Wilshere. Now that, in our book, is enough to make them a transfer-window winner. It remains to be seen whether their other business comes good, but the presence of Wilshere – fitness permitting, of course – will give the club the boost it perhaps needs in this second season to avoid relegation.
Manchester City
It hasn’t been flashy and over-stated at the Etihad, but Pep Guardiola has quietly gone about addressing the shortcomings of the squad he inherited. John Stones, Leroy Sane and Nolito have added youth and energy to an ageing and somewhat stale group. But Guardiola has perhaps done more in ridding the camp of those who either weren’t good enough or had hung around too long – Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Wilfried Bony and Samir Nasri among those shown the door.
Middlesbrough
Of the three promoted clubs, it is Boro who have shown the most ambition in the transfer market. Chairman Steve Gibson has backed his manager with the capital to invest in the likes of Alvaro Negredo, Victor Valdes and, on deadline day, Calum Chambers from Arsenal. They have made an unbeaten start to the season and, rather than rock the boat, it appears that 12 summer signings have instead added to what was already a strong group.
Newcastle
They are in the Championship, yes, but mention must go to their close-season business. Rafa Benitez revamped his relegated squad with 12 new signings – yet still he returned a £31m profit. That was in large part due to the deadline-day sale of Moussa Sissoko to Spurs for £30m – a fee way in excess of the player’s ability. In have come players such as Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle, a pair who will improve under Benitez and return to the Premier League better players.
LOSERS
Sunderland
It is astonishing that this window closed without David Moyes signing a striker. Since his arrival in July he has known he has just one recognised frontman – and that is 33-year-old Jermain Defoe. An injury to him (and he has been nursing a hamstring problem) and they will have to turn to either a winger – Duncan Watmore or Fabio Borini (who is currently injured) – or 17-year-old Joel Asoro. They also failed to complete the re-signing of midfielder Yann M’Vila, despite him being in the country on deadline day, and left it too late to sign a replacement for injured goalkeeper Vito Mannone. All in all, it was a bit of a mess for the Black Cats.
Arsenal
Don’t let the late-August addition of defender Shkodran Mustafi or forward Lucas Perez fool you into thinking they had a decent window. They didn’t. For the one thing Arsene Wenger’s side needed was a proven goalscorer, a predator. Perez is definitely not that man, for at 27 he has just 52 career goals. Yet again, Wenger has failed to address the one area which could turn his side from nearly men into title winners.
Everton
It was more about who Everton didn’t sign. They tried for Sunderland defender Lamine Kone, Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko, Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini and countless others, but it just didn’t happen for them. Instead, West Ham misfit Enner Valencia arrived on deadline day. With new owners they were expected to make more of an impact than this. With John Stones having gone, it is hard to make an argument for their squad having improved over the summer.
Spurs
They came within a week of the title last season but their summer business has not been that of a club trying to address the deficit to the top. Why? They simply have not improved their starting XI. There is an old adage in football, ‘Buy Better’. Is AZ striker Vincent Janssen an improvement on Harry Kane? No. Is Moussa Sissoko a step up on Christian Eriksen or Moussa Dembele? No. Victor Wanyama might prove a useful addition in the middle of the park, but his arrival could also unsettle the likes of Eric Dier or Dele Alli if their game-time is reduced.
Hull
While caretaker boss Mike Phelan should probably be commended for a late flurry of activity which finally brought in some players, this has been a window to forget for the Tigers amid an ongoing takeover and supporter unrest. They did not make a single signing until earlier this week and their squad still looks skinny, especially as only Ryan Mason of their six new arrivals has any real Premier League experience.
