Creasy’s Transfer Review
Posted on 02. Sep, 2009 by Creasy in Football, Sports
So the transfer window is closed and the smoke of anticipation, hope and expectation is clearing and the season can really take shape and begin….
Arsenal it seems will be the team that plays good football, but are soo close or unlucky, similar to previous season and their result on the weekend against Manchester United. You can’t help but feel Arsenal are light and missing possibly three signings. I personally think they are missing a center back, a holding midfielder and another winger. Alongside Walcott and Arshavin, there isn’t another player in the Arsenal attack that you feel can beat a consistently with the right end product. Vela? Who will replace the now indispensable Song? And will Djourou or Senderos (I can’t help but chuckle when I write that name) have the same impact in their positions as Song in the holding role? Can Eboue please be kept in the right back area only, he is very annoying in the last third.
Chelsea have only added Zhirkov to their team. Their team is strong, consistent and most of all a team; something that has been missing since Mourinho’s exit. Hiddink brought it back towards the end of last season and Ancelloti has maintained it, as well as bring guile to this team of steel and power. There isn’t a lot of weaknesses in this team but they do give chances away. This being evident in another convincing win over Burnley. They have every right to be favourites for the title and sending Di Santos out on loan till January is good business for life in the latter stages of the season.
Tottenham have also started well, Harry Redknapp has bought well. Everyones question regarding them is how consistent will they be. The squad was severely trimmed on the last day of the transfer window, with the loaning out of the very technical O’hara and German Boateng, but there is enough quality in numbers to continue Tottenham’s quest for that elusive top four. There was no real need to strengthen on the squad that started the season, unless they were going to spend anywhere above #25million. How will their squad handle Europe?
All eyes are on Manchester City to see how far their money will take them. Mark Hughes has bought very well. The best in players that are accomplished in the premiership and the team has no European activities to accompany its long season. Team management and in game tactical decision’s against the best will determine how far this team can go. As for the rest of the premiership, they will be tackled as Manchester United and Chelsea do business, as we saw in the 1-0 beating of Portsmouth. Richard Dunne is the latest blue manchunian left at the club, hope the likes of Stephen Ireland and Micah Richards can stay.
The financial power in Manchester has changed hands, but the grip on the best team in Manchester and England will not go so easily. Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t see the need for any last minute deals and like Chelsea already have the ammunition in place for another assault on the premiership. Ronaldo and Tevez will be missed, their names of the team sheet alone brings a sigh of relief to rival changing rooms, but the team will go on. I believe they are ok in numbers, but missing one world class attacker. Owen as demonstrated in the fortunate 2-1 win against Arsenal may be used sparingly or be used against the lesser teams. The jury is still out on Berbatov. Rooney cannot carry the work of his, Ronaldo and Tevez for the duration of the season! Can Nani assist for the whole season? Owen Hargreaves will be a good return should bring energy and competition to an already crowded midfield. They have one man that no other team has…Sir Alex Ferguson; that can be the difference. Mind games.
Rafa Benitez got involved in Sir Alex Ferguson’s mind games last season and that ineffect ended Lverpool’s dream of the title. This time round, they are short in numbers. Their poor start will undoubtedly get better, but avoiding injuries is vital to their success. Aquilani will prove to be a good buy, one of a few across Europe that can attempt to feel the boots of Alonso. Centre back position is no problem and Johnson adds a different dimension to the attack. With question marks over Lucas and Plessis, Gerrard may have to drop into a deeper centre midfielder’s role if Liverpool are to sustain a challenge during squad rotation periods. Too many question marks on fringe players too much dependency on El Nino and Stevie G as once again proven in the victory over Stoke. The might be Benitez’s last attempt at the title.
Aston Villa have bought a lot and have bought well, but with the quality and strength of the top 6, I find it difficult to see them breaking up the top four. They did come close last season, and a year on a few of their players might have made the necessary step to push this team to challenge, as noted by a few of Milner’s performances for club and country. Richard Dunne is good a buy on and off the pitch. Everton can finally put an eventful start to the season behind them where they have benefited from the Lescott deal and have a real go at attempting to break into the top four. Heitinga and Distin are good defensive cover for a player of similar quality. Yakubu, Saha, Job…. Everton are supringly strong and this may end up being a good season afterall.
Fulham’s best activity in the transfer window is holding onto Hangelaand. The signing of Duff should being added quality and experience to the club as Roy Hodgson continues to work a mini marvel at the club. A top ten team and will once again be knocking on europe’s door. Although Europe may prove to be achilles heel. Is the squad big enough? West Ham have a lot of good English talent and I am very happy Zola managed to keep his squad together. Two good managers working well under limited resources. West Ham will definitely be playing good football, Carlton Cole and the recovering of Ashton will be vital to their success.
Stoke and Hull may perhaps have bought themselves out of the relegation dog fight. Altidore and Ghilas will bring goes to Hull and Tuncay will bring a more creative edge that long throws and set pieces to Stoke. Huth and Shawcross should see to it that Stoke concede a less goes. Sunderland can also be added to this list of teams with the addition of Bent, an outside England hopeful and Turner.
Wigan and Portsmouth may well stay well of the drop, especially with Portsmouth loaning the two spurs players. The rest of the premier league teams are in for a looong hard season; and they will be hoping not to be carpeting the premiership come Christmas.
Oxygen….Sit back and Enjoy the season.
