This summer has seen the sporting press been dominated by the World Cup and ever since then it’s been whoever moneybags, Man City are linked with buying next. While they have made some good, but high expensive signings, they’ve not been the best compared to others.
NOTE: My opinions are based on where the teams finished last year, how these signings will help, who they’ve brought, how much for, whose left/stayed and how much they got for sales and overall price difference.
Let’s start by covering my Top Three teams this transfer period.
They’re Bolton, Fulham and West Ham. Now while only Bolton have a manager returning for this season, the cost effective deals, the keeping of key players and the squad improvement/replacement, is what puts them here.
Bolton - so far they’ve signed Martin Petrov, Robbie Blake and Marco Alonso for a sum of £1.6 million?! That’s a bargain for a three piece that will love the style Bolton play. Also, they’ve not lost anyone major and have kept, Gary Cahill for now. Some brilliant summer buys if you ask me.
Fulham - they’ve only signed Phillipe Senderos and Jonathan Greening but neither cost them a penny. Who went? Erik Nevland and Chris Smalling. While the latter is a great player, they got £10 million from Man Utd for the future England star. They’re up £10 million and have kept their Europa League stars. Look for them to improve on 12th.
West Ham - 17th last year and they’ve not got much money… so they manage sign Frederic Piquionne, Tal Ben Haim and Thomas Hitzlsperger for £1 million. Experienced buys and team leaders, just what they need. They’ll improve but at best I would say 15th… but that’s better than relegation.
Now for the Worst teams so far this summer:
Aston Villa & Stoke - Neither side has signed any squad enhancement and while they’ve hardly released superstars (Marlon Harewood, Wilfred Bouma and Amdy Faye), they’ve done nothing to improve their squads so far. Villa will drop into the bottom half of the league. Stoke will fight relegation.
Blackpool - Now they’ve actually made a signing… that’s right one signing. They’re preparing to go back down, nothing anyone could have done for them. Not even Holloway. At least they’re facing the realism unlike Hull and keeping their money tight to their chest.
Anyway, that concludes my report on the signings made so far before the season starts Saturday… although I’m more excited for Monday night, where the Toon Army shall beat Manchester United! Well one can dream…
If you wish to see how the other 14 teams ranked then you can view the graph here - http://yfrog.com/nb7875p and all transfers can be seen here - http://tinyurl.com/29acqgh.
