reported by amin hoffman
Arsenal
In: Alexandre Lacazette Lyon £46m; Sead Kolasinac Schalke, free.
• Outlay £46m Balance after sales +£21m
Compared with our rivals, it just feels our club are a day late and a dollar short in everything we do. Most worrying is the motivation of the bevy of players who might be treading water until they can walk on a free, with a potential £200m write-off if they do. There’s a growing consensus that by failing to bite the managerial bullet, we’ve only prolonged the agony.
• Best buy: Lacazette, despite concerns about our lengthy dithering and the lack of competition for him. • Jury’s out on: Kolasinac appears to have the physique of a centre-half, rather than a fleet‑footed wing-back. • One that got away: Thomas Lemar – though the last-day bid felt like a face-saving “we tried” effort. • Saddest exit: It’ll hurt if the Ox impresses at Liverpool, and it’s sad to see Gibbs go. • Most envious of: Having inexplicably offloaded true Gooner Szczesny, we should have moved for Jordan Pickford.
– Bernard Azulay @GoonerN5
Bournemouth
In: Nathan Aké Chelsea, £20m; Asmir Begovic Chelsea, £10m; Jermain Defoe Sunderland, free; Connor Mahoney Blackburn, free.
• Outlay £30m Balance -£30m
The business was done early to improve the spine of the team. We should benefit from fewer goalkeeper kicking mistakes with Begovic – that’s been a problem with Artur Boruc. Captain Simon Francis may find he plays fewer games with competition from Nathan Aké, and we hope Jermain Defoe can deliver the goals.
• Best buy: Aké: we need strong characters and he gives absolutely everything. • Jury’s out on: None of the signings look suspect. Connor Mahoney was great in pre-season, but will have to work hard. • One that got away: Demarai Gray was some people’s choice, but the one I really wanted was Divock Origi from Liverpool. • Saddest exit: Max Gradel leaving for Toulouse: he was great in pre-season. • Most envious of: Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton. Even at £45m, a bargain.
– Peter Bell @CherryChimes
Nathan Aké: strong character. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Rex/Shutterstock
Brighton
In: José Izquierdo Club Brugge, £13.5m; Davy Pröpper PSV, £12.7m; Mathew Ryan Valencia, £5.3m; Markus Suttner Ingolstadt, £3.5m; Ezequiel Schelotto Sporting Lisbon, £2.8m; Pascal Gross Ingolstadt, £2.6m; Ales Mateju Viktoria Plzen, £1.5m; Mathias Normann Bodo-Glimt £1.3m; Josh Kerr Celtic, undisc; Steven Alzate Leyton Orient, undisc; Soufyan Ahannach Almere City, undisc; Izzy Brown Chelsea, loan; Tim Krul Newcastle, loan.
• Outlay £43.2m Balance -£43.1m
Oh dear. We wanted, and desperately needed, two strikers, but failed to get one. A deal for Deportivo’s Florin Andone fell through, then we were granted a two-hour extension for Vincent Janssen but he turned us down – though maybe we dodged a bullet there. At least we’ve got another keeper: Tim Krul joining on loan from Newcastle was a relief after a difficult start by the “short” 6ft 1in Maty Ryan.
• Best buy: Izquierdo looks to have pace and brains, and can operate across the front line. A real prospect. • Jury’s out on: Davy Pröpper has looked out of his depth so far. • One that got away: Tammy Abraham, who chose Swansea over us. • Saddest exit: David Stockdale – a disaster to lose such a charismatic and influential member of the promotion team. It’s impossible to understand why he chose to move to Championship Birmingham. And we’ll miss Kazenga LuaLua’s cartwheels while he is at loan at QPR. • Most envious of: Huddersfield signing Steve Mounié. We really could have done with his pace and goals.
– Steph Fincham
Burnley
In: Chris Wood Leeds, £15m; Jack Cork Swansea, £8m; Nahki Wells Huddersfield, £5m; Jonathan Walters Stoke, £3m; Phil Bardsley Stoke, £2m; Charlie Taylor Leeds, undisc; Adam Legzdins Birmingham, undisc.
• Outlay £33m Balance +£11.5m
A decent window: we’ve strengthened at full-back, added to the midfield options and now have a much wider choice up front with Chris Wood and Nahki Wells. Whether we got what was needed we will find out over the next four months. There seemed to be a late push to bring in a wide player, which didn’t happen, and most will look at the centre of defence where we’ve not added despite the loss of Michael Keane to Everton.
• Best buy: Time will tell but the likely candidates are Jack Cork and Wood. • Jury’s out on: Wells has not been met with universal approval. He’ll have to win the fans over. • One that got away: Aaron Lennon was the name on everyone’s lips on deadline day. • Saddest exit: Undoubtedly Keane. He came in three years ago as a raw young talent; he left as an England international. • Most envious of: West Brom signing Jay Rodriguez. It would just have been nice to have one of our own back in claret and blue.
– Tony Scholes @utcdotcom
Chris Wood: potential best buy. Photograph: Richard Blaxall/Rex/Shutterstock
Chelsea
In: Álvaro Morata Real Madrid, £58m; Tiémoué Bakayoko Monaco, £39.7m; Danny Drinkwater Leicester, £35m; Antonio Rüdiger Roma, £29m; Davide Zappacosta Torino, £25.8m; Willy Caballero free agent; Ethan Ampadu Exeter, free; Kylian Hazard Ujpest, undisc.
• Outlay £187.5m Balance -£80.3m
A poor window. The squad is paper thin and needed some serious bolstering. Last season we had no European games and relied on two players for goals – one of whom is awol and the other just on the way back from injury. It’s evident that Chelsea aren’t willing to pay to land big names. I know players aren’t worth these gargantuan sums, but if other clubs are willing to pay then that’s the new reality. By not paying we have to accept that we’re no longer in that elite group.
• Best buy: I’m hoping it’s Morata as we are led to believe that he was a player that Conte actually wanted. We desperately need him to live up to his reputation. • Jury’s out on: Was Drinkwater a bit of a one-season wonder? • One that got away: Plenty: Sánchez, Barkley, Llorente … to see Llorente go to Spurs for not much more than loose change by today’s standards does make you wonder what Chelsea are playing at. • Saddest exit: Matic. A great player who allowed the more inventive players to shine. To let him go was an error, but to let him go to a direct rival was beyond stupid. • Most envious of: I’d have liked Oxlade-Chamberlain: a good player who could only have improved under Conte.
– Trizia Fiorellino chelseasupportersgroup.net
Crystal Palace
In: Mamadou Sakho Liverpool, £26m; Jairo Riedewald Ajax, £7.9m; Ruben Loftus‑Cheek Chelsea, loan; Timothy Fosu‑Mensah Manchester United, loan.
• Outlay £33.9m Balance -£32.1m
It started strongly enough, with the arrivals of Loftus-Cheek, Fosu-Mensah and Riedewald. And, of course, everyone’s delighted to have Mamadou Sakho back. But the failure to sign a striker means we are now one Benteke injury away from deep trouble: one fit senior striker is a bizarre position to be in. And not finding a new goalkeeper is disappointing, too.
• Best buy: Sakho, given how well he did for us last season, though Loftus-Cheek has been a revelation. • Jury’s out on: Riedewald looked shaky in his first game and has been injured ever since. • One that got away: Among many others, Demarai Gray is a talent: he would have been a great signing. • Saddest exit: It’s never great to see fans’ favourite Jonny Williams not play a part in the squad. He should do well on loan at Sunderland. • Most envious of: Everton landing Gylfi Sigurdsson: a brilliant player to watch.
– Chris Waters @Clapham_Grand
Mamadou Sakho: welcome back. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock
Everton
In: Gylfi Sigurdsson Swansea, £45m; Michael Keane Burnley, £25m; Jordan Pickford Sunderland, £25m; Davy Klaassen Ajax, £23.7m; Nikola Vlasic Hajduk Split, £9m; Henry Onyekuru Eupen, £7m; Sandro Ramírez Málaga £5.3m; Nathangelo Markelo Volendam, undisc; Boris Mathis Metz, undisc; Josh Bowler QPR, undisc; Anton Donkor Wolfsburg, loan; Wayne Rooney Manchester United, undisc; Cuco Martina Southampton, free; Lewis Gibson Newcastle, undisc.
• Outlay £140m Balance -£46m
A stack of signings and the record broken for Sigurdsson: it’s hard not to be happy with that. We needed a keeper and Jordan Pickford is one of the best, and the signings of Keane and Rooney are positive, too. One reservation: though we signed a young forward in Sandro Ramírez and have Dominic Calvert-Lewin, I hope not signing a top striker won’t hinder us too much.
• Best buy: Sigurdsson. A top player who will make Everton into a top side. • Jury’s out on: Cuco Martina. Looks decent enough going forward and can cross a ball but he’s not a defender. • One that got away: Giroud is the striker Koeman wanted. • Saddest exit Gareth Barry. A great professional, whose performances were seven or eight out of 10 every week. He’ll be missed. • Most envious of: Spurs signing Fernando Llorente. He would have been a great target man for us with Rooney, Claassen and Sigurdsson providing the crosses.
– Steve Jones @bluekippercom
Huddersfield
In: Steve Mounié Montpellier, £11.5m; Aaron Mooy Man City, £8m; Tom Ince Derby, £8m; Laurent Depoitre Porto, £4.4m; Scott Malone Fulham, £3.5m; Mathias Jorgensen FC Copenhagen, £2m; Abdelhamid Sabiri Nürnberg, £1m; Danny Williams Reading, free; Robert Green free agent; Jonas Lössl Mainz, loan; Kasey Palmer Chelsea, loan; Florent Hadergjonaj Ingolstadt, loan.
• Outlay £38.4m Balance -£33.4m
It’s reassuring how the club had a clear plan and carried it out quickly. Chairman Hoyle clearly has a lot of trust in his manager to build the team he wants, and our newfound TV riches have given him the ability to do just that. Although it’s early days, thus far the reward has been seven points from nine.
• Best buy: Aaron Mooy is the best player I’ve seen in a Town shirt. Hard working, intelligent and oozing class. £8m is daylight robbery. • Jury’s out on: Sabiri is an exciting prospect but there are rumours of a poor attitude. • One that got away: There was a whisper of Emre Mor, which would have been ridiculous. • Saddest exit: Nahki Wells’ goals kept us in the Championship and played a massive part in us getting out of it. • Most envious of: Lukaku’s goals will probably be enough to keep United ahead of us in the title race…
– Alex Taylor @AlexJT27
Aaron Mooy: oozes class. Photograph: Magi Haroun/Rex/Shutterstock
Leicester
In: Kelechi Iheanacho Man City, £25m; Harry Maguire Hull, £17m; Vicente Iborra Sevilla, £12.3m; Eldin Jakupovic Hull, £2m; Sam Hughes Chester, undisc; George Thomas Coventry, undisc; Aleksandar Dragovic Bayer Leverkusen, loan.
• Outlay £56.3m Balance -£13.8m
We’ve recruited well in defence, Harry Maguire is already a terrace hero and if Kelechi Iheanacho can keep his shots to goals ratio at the same rate, then Vardy’s party may have a gatecrasher. We now have the sort of strength in depth we should have had after winning the title.
• Best buy: Maguire – strong, tall, quick and good with his feet. • Jury’s out on: Iborra. Our signings from outside the top flight often struggle. • One that got away: Gylfi Sigurdsson. The potential prospect of Vardy, Mahrez, Iheanacho and Gylfi had us purring. • Saddest exit: Danny Drinkwater. He’s been through it all, from play-off heartbreak and relegation fights to a 5,000-1 title. • Most envious of: Renato Sanches could be the deal of the decade for Swansea.
– Chris Whiting @ChrisRWhiting
Liverpool
In: Mohamed Salah Roma, £36.9m; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Arsenal, £35m; Andrew Robertson Hull, £8m; Dominic Solanke Chelsea, free; Naby Keïta RB Leipzig undisc (arriving 2018-19).
• Outlay £79.9m Balance -£41.5m
We haven’t done a whole lot, really. Mo Salah arrived early on and already looks an inspired buy, and Jürgen finally got his man Naby Keïta, even if we do have to wait till next season to see him in a red shirt. It’ll be interesting to see where Oxlade-Chamberlain fits in.
• Best buy: Not a buy, but keeping Coutinho. Once his bad back is mended, I expect he’ll be back to doing what he does best. • Jury’s out on: Oxlade-Chamberlain, but if anyone can get the best out of him, Klopp can. • One that got away: Virgil van Dijk, but that fiasco ended before it had really begun. • Saddest exit: Lucas. I loved him from the minute he signed for us. Showed great strength to overcome the boo boys. • Most envious of: Wojciech Szczesny going to Juventus. The Old Lady know a good keeper when they see one.
– Steph Jones
Oxlade-Chamberlain: jury’s out. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Manchester City
In: Benjamin Mendy Monaco, £52m; Kyle Walker Tottenham, £50m; Bernardo Silva Monaco, £43.6m; Ederson Benfica, £34.9m; Danilo Real Madrid, £26.5m; Douglas Luiz Vasco de Gama, £10m; Larry Kayode Austria Vienna, £3.5m.
• Outlay £220.5m Balance -£128.2m
We’ve added quality in key areas and seem to have solved our two most glaring weaknesses, at full-back and in goal. Walker, Danilo and Mendy are all absolute thoroughbreds in their positions. But I can’t help but feel the squad is very thin in places: only 20 senior players, three full-backs, three centre-halves (plus the unwanted Mangala) and four forwards for three positions. An injury to one of our key players and we’re in a serious pickle.
• Best buy: Bernardo Silva. An absolute snip in this market at £43.6m. Jury’s out on: I’m not unsure about any of them but we really can’t afford for Ederson to flop. • One that got away: Alexis Sánchez. I imagine he’ll be ours soon enough though, possibly in January. • Saddest exit: Pablo Zabaleta. His legs had gone but he’s still a club legend. • Most envious of: Naby Keïta. He’s some player. It’s an incredible piece of business by Liverpool to tie him down a year in advance.
– Lloyd Scragg @lloyd_scragg
Manchester United
In: Romelu Lukaku Everton, £75m; Nemanja Matic Chelsea, £40m; Victor Lindelof Benfica, £31m; Zlatan Ibrahimovic free agent.
• Outlay £146m Balance -£136.2m
A great window. José likes to get his business done early and Matic and Lukaku have both been instrumental in our perfect start. The problem of last season was an inability to break down sides that park the bus at Old Trafford, but the Leicester game showed promise there: eventually we put them to the sword.
• Best buy: Matic has given us stability and balance, a natural holding player who allows Pogba to roam. He will be pivotal to our title challenge. • Jury’s out on: Victor Lindelof is a fine defender but with Phil Jones playing so well it looks like he’ll find it hard to make the starting XI. • One that got away: Early on it really did look like the relationship between Ronaldo and Real Madrid had broken down … • Saddest exit: Wayne Rooney broke all our scoring records but unfortunately time caught up with him. • Most envious of: City’s deal for Benjamin Mendy. He would have solved our left-back problem. Superb engine.
– Shaun O’Donnell
Romelu Lukaku: instrumental. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/EPA
Newcastle
In: Jacob Murphy Norwich, £12m; Florian Lejeune Eibar, £8.7m; Christian Atsu Chelsea, £6m; Joselu Stoke, £5m; Javier Manquillo Atlético Madrid, £4.5m; Josef Yarney Everton, free; Stefan O’Connor Arsenal, free; Mikel Merino Borussia Dortmund, loan.
• Outlay £36.2m Balance -£29.2m
Meagre pickings – Mike Ashley seems to be gripping the purse strings tightly again. One thing’s for sure: should any new signing prove to be a bargain, they’ll be sold for a handsome profit. We’ve learned not to get too attached to anyone.
• Best buy: Probably Florian Lejeune, although thanks to Harry Kane we’ve yet to see him complete a game. • Jury’s out on: The pricey (for Newcastle) Jacob Murphy, as Rafa hasn’t used him too much so far. • One that got away: It wouldn’t be a transfer window without an ‘Andy Carroll set for sensational return’ rumour, would it? • Saddest exit: Sammy Ameobi. It’s always a shame when a local lad doesn’t make it, especially one with a strong family link. • Most envious of: Any proven top-flight scorer: Lukaku, Bony, Defoe …
– Richard & David Holmes
Southampton
In: Mario Lemina Juventus, £16.3m; Wesley Hoedt Lazio, £15m; Jan Bednarek Lech Poznan, £5.7m; Jack Rose West Brom, free.
• Outlay £37m Balance -£23m
For the first time in years we’ve managed to keep our best player, Virgil van Dijk – albeit under protest – and we’ve added some quality in key areas. The side still lacks a bit of pace for my liking, but otherwise we’re not in bad shape.
• Best buy: Mario Lemina has started well: he might provide the link between our impressive defensive play and our less impressive attacking play, given a bit of time to integrate. • Jury’s out on: It was an inauspicious start for Jan Bednarek, as part of a three-man defence that ensured we went out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle. £5m these days is probably last year’s £1m, but even so, you’d expect a bit better. • One that got away: Kelechi Iheanacho – most of the other players linked with us have been fairly underwhelming. • Saddest exit: Ronald Koeman’s best buddy Cuco Martina. Oh, you wanted a serious answer? Jordy Clasie, albeit only on loan. Whenever he has actually played, he’s looked decent. • Most envious of: Do Neymar or Mbappé count? If not, I think Renato Sanches for Swansea is a great signing.
– Steve Grant @SteveGrant1983
Mario Lemina: started well. Photograph: Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Stoke
In: Kevin Wimmer Tottenham, £18m; Bruno Martins Indi Porto, £7m; Josh Tymon Hull, undisc; Tre Pemberton Blackburn, undisc; Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Schalke, free; Darren Fletcher West Brom, free; Kurt Zouma Chelsea, loan; Jesé Rodríguez PSG, loan.
• Outlay £25m Balance +£6.3m
It’s been much busier than many expected. The squad is looking in a better place than it was, but the addition of a natural wing-back would have made a 7/10 window an 8/10. Three new centre-backs should make a huge impact, while the experience of Darren Fletcher, the flair of Jese and the work-rate of Choupo-Moting could make this a successful season.
• Best buy: Kurt Zouma. Destined for a long and successful career at the top. • Jury’s out on: Josh Tymon, only because he’s now our left wing-back cover and for someone so young, it’s a big ask. • One that got away: I don’t think we were remotely close to landing Rooney, but it was an eye-catching rumour. • Saddest exit: Marc Muniesa. Despite it only being a season-long loan to Girona, I can’t see a return for a real crowd favourite and generally nice man to boot. • Most envious of: Kieran Gibbs – would have slotted in very well, and for such a bargain price in these crazy times.
– Rob Holloway
Swansea
In: Sam Clucas Hull, £15m; Wilfried Bony Manchester City, £12m; Roque Mesa Las Palmas, £11m; Cian Harries Coventry, £500k; Erwin Mulder Heerenveen, free; Marc Walsh Finn Harps, undisc; Tammy Abraham Chelsea, loan; Renato Sanches Bayern Munich, loan.
• Outlay £38.5m Balance +£28m
Despite losing our two best players in Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente, somehow our squad looks better overall. We’ve replaced Llorente with Wilfried Bony – a hugely popular move – and the loan deal for Renato Sanches is massive: I doubt you’ll find a better summer transfer. We’ve also added Sam Clucas and Roque Mesa in midfield. The disappointment was that we needed a full-back as we move to a 3-5-2 system, but failed to sign Barnsley’s Yiadom on deadline day. I’d expect that to be re-visited in January.
• Best buy: Has to be Bony. His return at home against Newcastle will be quite something. • Jury’s out on: Goalkeeper Erwin Mulder hasn’t arrived with any real pedigree and doesn’t appear to be taking over from Nordfeldt as our backup. Puzzling. • One that got away: PSV right-back Santiago Arias. • Saddest exit: Sigurdsson and Llorente. • Most envious of: When you sign Renato Sanches from Bayern Munich, you can’t really be envious of anyone else.
– Kevin Elphick Swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk
Renato Sanches: big deal. Photograph: Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA
Tottenham
In: Davinson Sánchez Ajax, £42m; Serge Aurier PSG, £23m; Fernando Llorente Swansea, £12m; Juan Foyth Estudiantes, £9m; Paulo Gazzaniga Southampton, £2m.
• Outlay £88m Balance +£5.7m
Overall, I’m happy, but a little surprised with some of our purchases. I thought we’d maybe buy one centre-back, not two, but Sánchez and Foyth are exciting prospects. Aurier’s stats speak volumes, but he’ll have a battle for his position with Trippier/Walker-Peters.
• Best buy: Sánchez: big, strong and tipped to be one of the world’s best. He looks to have the character and maturity to handle a new challenge, and let’s face it, the Premier League is the daddy of football challenges. • Jury’s out on: Aurier’s character and past are a little worrying, though nothing Poch can’t handle. • One that got away: There were lots, but Lemar would be the top one. He’s what we need: an injection of pace up front. • Saddest exit: Kevin Wimmer. A quiet big man. The sort of fella who plays on your Saturday morning team, who gets the job done. • Most envious of: I’m trying to jinx “them” with this one. I hope I eat my words, but I wouldn’t say no to Lacazette. If he gets fed up with Woolwich, I’m sure he knows where north London is.
– Jonny Holmes
Watford
In: Andre Gray Burnley, £18.5m; Richarlison Fluminense, £11.5m; Tom Cleverley Everton, £8m; Will Hughes Derby, £8m; Nathaniel Chalobah Chelsea, £5m; Marvin Zeegelaar Sporting Lisbon, £2.8m; Daniel Bachmann Stoke, free; Kiko Femenía Alavés, free; Dimitri Foulquier Granada, free; André Carrillo Benfica, loan; Orestis Karnezis Udinese, loan; Molla Wagué Udinese, loan.
• Outlay £53.8m Balance -£36.3m
A traditionally eventful summer that looks to have surgically addressed the biggest deficiencies in the squad. We needed to rebuild the midfield around a strong base and have quick and mobile attacking options to enable Silva’s counterattacking game. Richarlison, André Carrillo and Andre Gray between them certainly do that. Add to this stronger squad options in goal and across the defence, and the retention of the iconic Deeney, and it was a very good summer.
• Best buy: Nathaniel Chalobah, the metronome of Gianfranco Zola’s Championship side on loan five years ago. An extraordinary signing at £5m. • Jury’s out on: Wagué adds another body to a congested central defensive roster without obviously increasing quality, though as a Udinese player his signing won’t be uninformed. • One that got away: Kieran Gibbs would have been a hell of a statement. Saddest exit: Valon Behrami’s dripping fangs and deranged stare will be missed; alas, his legs already were. • Most envious of: Harry Maguire looks fun.
– Matt Rowson @mattrowson
Nathaniel Chalobah: flying start. Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images
West Brom
In: Oliver Burke RB Leipzig, £15m; Jay Rodriguez Southampton, £12m; Kieran Gibbs Arsenal, £7m; Gareth Barry Everton, £1m; Zhang Yuning Vitesse Arnhem, undisc; Ben Pierce free agent; Ahmed Hegazi al-Ahly, loan; Grzegorz Krychowiak PSG, loan; Kyle Jameson Chelsea, loan.
• Outlay £35m Balance -£35m
Almost a perfect window. The loan signing of Krychowiak is immense, the addition of Burke exciting and we finally signed a left–back, to the astonishment of everyone. The best bit of business was keeping Jonny Evans – he’s absolutely vital to us. It’s been a long time since I have seen fans so positive.
• Best buy: Not a buy but a loan: Krychowiak has been our wow moment of the summer. • Jury’s out on: He has started well enough but we need to see how Hegazi copes against quality forwards. • One that got away: I think Vincent Janssen would have been the perfect loan striker for us with the way he holds the ball up. • Saddest exit: I was sad to see Fletcher go – but what an upgrade in Krychowiak. • Most envious of: Sanches is a great signing for Swansea.
– Richard Jefferson @richbaggie
West Ham
In: Marko Arnautovic Stoke, £20m; Javier Hernández Bayer Leverkusen, £16m; Sead Haksabanovic Halmstad £3m; Pablo Zabaleta free agent; Joe Hart Man City, loan.
• Outlay £39m Balance -£16.5m
On paper we’ve signed experienced players who can do it in the Premier League. Javier Hernández scores wherever he plays and Arnautovic is promising. Zabaleta appears to solve the long-standing right-back problem while Joe Hart, if he can get his confidence back, is a top keeper. We did well to get £6.5m for Ashley Fletcher, most of last summer’s disastrous signings have gone, and credit to Diafra Sakho for making a determined bid to be this year’s Peter Odemwingie.
• Best buy: Hernández looks really sharp. The question is can we give him the service? • Jury’s out on: A lot of questions already. Hart’s confidence could be shot, Zabaleta is 32 and has lost some pace – and there’s Arnautovic’s temperament. • One that got away: William Carvalho – though it never looked likely to happen. • Saddest exit: Sofiane Feghouli showed enough potential to be given another season. Robert Snodgrass also struggled, but giving a £10m man 15 games sums up the club’s short-term transfer policy. • Most envious of: Harry Maguire looks a bargain for Leicester.
– Pete May, Author of Goodbye to Boleyn
Site Title 