With just under 12 days till the transfer window shuts (at 6pm on 1st September) here is the first instalment of transfer window analysis so far; the top 4.
Chelsea
Best Buy - Pedro
So far:
Chelsea have done very little to strengthen their squad up to this point and this was quite evident in their first two performances. Their only signings of any profile prior to Pedro were Begovic, a back-up goalkeeper, and Baba Rahman, a back-up left-back. Although with Thibaut Courtois' suspension and Ivanovic's poor performances we'll probably see both sooner than expected. Pedro is a statement of intent; a definite reaction to one point taken from two games, and a classic Chelsea transfer hijack. Pedro is regularly put down down as the bench-warmer of Barcelona. That he may be, however he will bring consistent quality to a Chelsea team that has long missed a wing partner for Hazard.
What do they need?
As he seems to be showing one John the door, Mourinho is looking to bring another one in. John Stones is currently English football's hottest property and phrases like 'the next Rio Ferdinand' are being thrown around for good reason. With John Terry's stock falling as quickly as his age is rising it's a fair bet that Jose will get his man. Other than that there's not much Chelsea need or seem to want. With Fàbregas and Matić both looking quite lightweight in central midfield Mourinho might consider an enforcer the likes of which we haven't seen since Essien/Makélélé, but I doubt it.
Arsenal
Best buy - Petr Čech
So far:
Virtually the only team in the league to have done less serious business than Chelsea, Arsenal have made one recognised signing in former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech. He has made a less than auspicious start but you have to feel a player who was one of the best keepers in the world for such a long time will not continue this way.
What do they need?
Much like Mourinho, Wenger is still missing a defensive midfielder of class. This has been a long-standing gap since Vieira left (apologies to Mathieu Flamini) but there has been little movement in this direction so don't expect to see a battler in the centre of the Emirates anytime soon. A lot of the criticism levelled at Giroud is a bit harsh in my view, especially given his goals-to-game ratio of nearly one every other game. However, as Walcott is still really a winger, having only one recognised striker is probably not enough. Hence the constant rumours surrounding a move for Benzema, which have reached a climax very recently with sources a reputable as... Rodney Marsh claiming that a £48m bid has been accepted. Watch this space.
Manchester City
Best buy – Nicolas Otamendi
So far:
If you're not bored by the whole Raheem Stirling circus then you deserve a medal, all that can be done now is wait for him to play a season in sky blue. I for one think that £45m is a lot of money for a polished Shaun Wright-Phillips but, for the sake of the future England team, I'd be more than happy to be wrong. Joining him at city is Nicolas Otamendi, who was, according to Manuel Pellegrini, “arguably the best defender in La Liga last season.” With Vincent Kompany having had an off season, and Demechelis and Mangala still not 100% consistent, Pellegrini will be happy to have another internationally accomplished centre-back at his disposal. One to watch for the future is Patrick Roberts, who arrives from Fulham for a fee which could rise to £11m. Fabian Delph has arrived to tick the home-grown box.
What do they need?
De Bruyne will be a welcome if somewhat unnecessary addition if (when) he arrives. On the basis of the two performances so far, the question “what do they need?” seems like a bit of a ridiculous one.
Manchester United
Best buy – Memphis Depay
So far:
Like their neighbours, Manchester United have done a fair amount of business, arguably more constructive. The right-back and central midfield positions were both areas of weakness that have been appropriately addressed in the shape of Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. But the real crown jewel is Memphis Depay. He has only shown glimpses of last season’s class so far but, if Tuesday's performance against Brugge is anything to go by then, we could be in for a real treat. Sergio Romero has come in to replace/cover David de Gea, no one is very sure yet, but he seems an able enough keeper, jury out.
What do they need?
Not Mané. Another striker to provide support for Wayne Rooney? Maybe. Between Rooney, Depay and the supporting cast there should be enough goals, but if either of the former get injured then a lot of pressure will fall on the slight shoulders of Javier Hernandez. Thomas Müller has been mooted, don't be ridiculous. Another central defender? Almost certainly. I may be sticking my neck out on the line here but I don't think Chris Smalling is up to the task. Finding a central defensive partnership of him and one of Rojo, Evans, Jones or Blind to match Rio and Vidic is almost laughable. They didn't get Otamendi and they won't get Stones, so it's hard to see another top-class centre-back who's available.
Chelsea
Best Buy - Pedro
So far:
Chelsea have done very little to strengthen their squad up to this point and this was quite evident in their first two performances. Their only signings of any profile prior to Pedro were Begovic, a back-up goalkeeper, and Baba Rahman, a back-up left-back. Although with Thibaut Courtois' suspension and Ivanovic's poor performances we'll probably see both sooner than expected. Pedro is a statement of intent; a definite reaction to one point taken from two games, and a classic Chelsea transfer hijack. Pedro is regularly put down down as the bench-warmer of Barcelona. That he may be, however he will bring consistent quality to a Chelsea team that has long missed a wing partner for Hazard.
What do they need?
As he seems to be showing one John the door, Mourinho is looking to bring another one in. John Stones is currently English football's hottest property and phrases like 'the next Rio Ferdinand' are being thrown around for good reason. With John Terry's stock falling as quickly as his age is rising it's a fair bet that Jose will get his man. Other than that there's not much Chelsea need or seem to want. With Fàbregas and Matić both looking quite lightweight in central midfield Mourinho might consider an enforcer the likes of which we haven't seen since Essien/Makélélé, but I doubt it.
Arsenal
Best buy - Petr Čech
So far:
Virtually the only team in the league to have done less serious business than Chelsea, Arsenal have made one recognised signing in former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech. He has made a less than auspicious start but you have to feel a player who was one of the best keepers in the world for such a long time will not continue this way.
What do they need?
Much like Mourinho, Wenger is still missing a defensive midfielder of class. This has been a long-standing gap since Vieira left (apologies to Mathieu Flamini) but there has been little movement in this direction so don't expect to see a battler in the centre of the Emirates anytime soon. A lot of the criticism levelled at Giroud is a bit harsh in my view, especially given his goals-to-game ratio of nearly one every other game. However, as Walcott is still really a winger, having only one recognised striker is probably not enough. Hence the constant rumours surrounding a move for Benzema, which have reached a climax very recently with sources a reputable as... Rodney Marsh claiming that a £48m bid has been accepted. Watch this space.
Manchester City
Best buy – Nicolas Otamendi
So far:
If you're not bored by the whole Raheem Stirling circus then you deserve a medal, all that can be done now is wait for him to play a season in sky blue. I for one think that £45m is a lot of money for a polished Shaun Wright-Phillips but, for the sake of the future England team, I'd be more than happy to be wrong. Joining him at city is Nicolas Otamendi, who was, according to Manuel Pellegrini, “arguably the best defender in La Liga last season.” With Vincent Kompany having had an off season, and Demechelis and Mangala still not 100% consistent, Pellegrini will be happy to have another internationally accomplished centre-back at his disposal. One to watch for the future is Patrick Roberts, who arrives from Fulham for a fee which could rise to £11m. Fabian Delph has arrived to tick the home-grown box.
What do they need?
De Bruyne will be a welcome if somewhat unnecessary addition if (when) he arrives. On the basis of the two performances so far, the question “what do they need?” seems like a bit of a ridiculous one.
Manchester United
Best buy – Memphis Depay
So far:
Like their neighbours, Manchester United have done a fair amount of business, arguably more constructive. The right-back and central midfield positions were both areas of weakness that have been appropriately addressed in the shape of Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. But the real crown jewel is Memphis Depay. He has only shown glimpses of last season’s class so far but, if Tuesday's performance against Brugge is anything to go by then, we could be in for a real treat. Sergio Romero has come in to replace/cover David de Gea, no one is very sure yet, but he seems an able enough keeper, jury out.
What do they need?
Not Mané. Another striker to provide support for Wayne Rooney? Maybe. Between Rooney, Depay and the supporting cast there should be enough goals, but if either of the former get injured then a lot of pressure will fall on the slight shoulders of Javier Hernandez. Thomas Müller has been mooted, don't be ridiculous. Another central defender? Almost certainly. I may be sticking my neck out on the line here but I don't think Chris Smalling is up to the task. Finding a central defensive partnership of him and one of Rojo, Evans, Jones or Blind to match Rio and Vidic is almost laughable. They didn't get Otamendi and they won't get Stones, so it's hard to see another top-class centre-back who's available.
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