A Transfer Window Retrospective for the Title Challengers

Thursday 2nd September by Tom Ball

With the market slamming shut until January for another season, it is perhaps suitable to label this one as one for the ages. Big moves for maybe the two greatest players to ever grace the game and saga after saga in the Premier League. The calamities at Barcelona that saw Lionel Messi depart his beloved home can only be seen as a prominent subplot to a window like any we have ever experienced. Despite the happenings across Europe, it is time to focus on what the business means for the Premier League title challengers in a follow-up to the piece released before the season starts.

Manchester City

The citizens have just the lone arrival in the very, very expensive but also very, very good Jack Grealish. The man became the nation's golden boy throughout the summer and not just for his football. 

There were always murmurings of the possibility of the local Villa lad leaving to join a team competing in Europe. A few years ago, Villa's relegation from a Premier League almost saw him join Spurs the following summer. However, with the creative output, he provided at Aston Villa last season, rivalling Europe's best and not just England's best, he was going to come at a hefty price tag when you also consider the unofficial but authentic 'English Premium'.

With a departure that sparked some debate about whether he should be expected to show loyalty to Aston Villa, Grealish joined Pep Guardiola in a very efficient swoop that never seemed to be made difficult by any parties involved. Villa's ownership then addressing his departure by protecting Jack's character while also providing surprising transparency to the Villa fans who fell in love with their captain.

What does this move mean for City? It continues Pep's dream of a 'team of midfielders' well and truly intact and brings in a homegrown player coming into his prime while Brexit drags a cloud of uncertainty over a tightening of those rules. 

There is no doubt of Grealish's quality and is undoubtedly a tremendous get for the Sky Blue's. However, Grealish's status as a player does not vastly exceed his new teammates, and therefore you can struggle to see a vast improvement on City's existing philosophy. 

Man City's most critical flaw was perhaps the striker position. The sale of Sergio Aguero and the stagnating development of Gabriel Jesus in that position left City with a prominent piece of business that needed to be done. 

Furthermore, despite great tussles for Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, that never happened. City was not going to wilt to Daniel Levy's steely resolve to get Kane and may have had Ronaldo stolen from their clutches by their Manchester rivals, Alexis Sanchez style. 

Nonetheless, City have been helped by the pair of 5-0 thrashings they handed the somewhat pathetic Norwich and Arsenal, with Ferran Torres perhaps being the default resolution to their issues at Number 9. However, their opening weekend loss to Tottenham Hotspur showed the problems that may arise without that proven goalscorer. Spurning chance after chance only to see the game slowly get away from them. The Champions League final was another example of that lack of impotence. 

Man City will remain the favourites to probably the bookies. Pep has won three of the last four titles; he has built a formula that wins the Premier League. However, perhaps the improvement of others presents the largest threat to their status as Champions.

Manchester United

Without sounding too sour mouthed, it's ironic that the protests against the ownership are swiftly followed by a transfer window that sees them bring in Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, yes, Cristiano Ronaldo. There is no doubt this window will go down in history for United fans. Mainly as the window, they got their icon back. With baseless rumours swirling almost every summer of Ronaldo possibly returning to Old Trafford, it was never something their fans really ever fell for. It was mainly a dream for them, a dream that has now come to fruition, and insanely quickly at that. 

You have to feel for the hearts of United fans over the last week because, funnily enough, this all started with the news of Ronaldo wanting out of his current club Juventus and Manchester City being the frontrunners for his signature. Labelled a 'done deal' by some press members, Ronaldo looked set to join Manchester City in their desperate attempt to find an alternative to Harry Kane.

However, a cryptic tweet from Rio Ferdinand followed by a very telling press conference from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were the first signals of the tide changing. The next day United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus, and the dream was realised.

We haven't even gotten to the swoops of Varane and Sancho, but there is no doubt there is reason to be excited if you are attending Old Trafford this season. You completed two signings that fixed the issues on the right side of attack and at centre back, and you have the best player to ever player for your club here to run it around.

Apologies in advance for the second instance of pessimism, however, we are here to look at this in an emotionless vacuum that is a football pitch. The main point is that signing Ronaldo doesn't make much sense tactically; it is actually quite illogical. Ronaldo was never really a centre forward at Juventus, often occupying the left-hand side. He is just outstanding in the penalty box. 

Ronaldo's arrival at Juventus prompted a slow fall into what can only be described as 'Give-the-ball-to-Ronaldo-ism'. Portugal's record goalscorer has become a player that requires a system around him to succeed. But, unlike his rival Lionel Messi, Ronaldo doesn't just come in and be the system. Despite him being the closest thing to a superhuman we have in football, he is 36. 

This isn't to say he doesn't improve Manchester United; the Europa League final reared ugly heads regarding the club's mentality issues, and who better than Cristiano to come in for that. 

However, the last piece mentioned United's issues with progression in deeper midfield areas. The draw to Southampton and the eventual win at Wolves that saw them struggle to control the game highlighted these issues, and they are still yet to be addressed. 

A prediction is difficult as Ronaldo will win United games this season, and he is the perfect man to get the team out of a lacklustre performance. His Real Madrid dynasty was a team that seemed to live for moments of adversity. This could be the piece we didn't think was missing, or it could be a purely emotional return that has stumped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the tactics board. 

Liverpool

The reds are the only team here to not complete any business since the last piece. Their only signing to come in this summer remains Ibrahima Konate, the french centre-back is still yet to displace Joel Matip after game week 3. 

We touched on the departure of Gini Wijnaldum as perhaps something that may go under the radar in terms of its impact. However, this issue still remains inconclusive. Harvey Elliott has been graduate from the first team and has played brilliantly to start the season. However, Wijnaldum's availability is what looks like could be a juxtaposition of Liverpool's Achilles heel this season.

With Roberto Firmino hobbling off against Chelsea with an injury that leaves Jurgen Klopp with a front three of Diogo Jota, Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane to play essentially every game, Liverpool's lack of depth has caught up with them. While Fenway has done brilliantly financially, they have done poorly in refreshing a squad that, until Chelsea went down to 10 men, looked second best to the Blues at Saturday TeaTime. 

Klopp is insistent that the lack of depth is not an issue. Unsurprising, considering the job he has done the last few years and his unrivalled belief in his players. However, with the League Cup and Champions League coming into the fray after the International break, the fixture congestion will test Liverpool, something Jurgen Klopp has had a rocky relationship with before. 

Chelsea

A transfer window that started with a pursuit of Erling Haaland that a negotiator like Chelsea was reluctant to get embroiled in has ended with the return of Romelu Lukaku. We discussed the differences, and challengers signing either of the two strikers would bring in a previous piece you can check out here. 

Chelsea opted to go for familiar blood in Lukaku, who left the Blues in 2011 to join West Brom. Growing up, Lukaku was a Chelsea fan and believed he could not turn down a second chance when it arose. 

More analytically, Lukaku provides Chelsea with precisely what they were missing last season. Their impressive organisation saw them manage their way to a Champions League triumph while also wasting many chances to romp their way through the competition.

On paper, Lukaku solves this. Furthermore, his debut against Arsenal saw him bully the Gunners in their own house on his way to the man of the match. His performance against Liverpool was more subdued. The entire second half being played in his own half as they went down to ten men. The first two games have proven him to be the exact reference point Chelsea need. 

His ability to bring others into play and attract defenders gave Reece James essentially the freedom of the Emirates in their second game. They created some promising transitional danger against Liverpool. 

Lukaku was one of the Premier League's most significant additions this summer. Therefore, it is easy to skip over their deadline day signing of Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish midfielder arriving on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy next summer.

An aggravated ankle injury to Ngolo Kante against Liverpool forced Chelsea's hand slightly. With the possibility of someone coming in to play the fourth fiddle in the centre of midfield. It was difficult for Chelsea to get someone with a good skillset that exceeds the ability of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who remains at the club this season. However, Kante's absence has allowed Chelsea to elevate that importance and go for Saul in the final hours of the window.

Lukaku looks like he may complete Tuchel's masterpiece. Chelsea look excellent, and there is no weakness many can point to. This cannot be said about the other three contenders.

Conclusion

The most impactful sequence of the events in the battle for the title was to be the destination of Harry Kane. As the England captain remains with Spurs and not at Manchester City, it keeps many guessing about the destination of the Premier League trophy come May. 

Manchester United come into this season with continued uncertainty. They sit level with Chelsea and Liverpool after they drew at Anfield. What Cristiano Ronaldo brings to Manchester United is clearly the most significant factor in deciding their title chances. While Ronaldo brings excitement to Old Trafford and the fanbase, it does not solve the issues discussed before the season starting. It is also not a safe bet to say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will construct a system that Ronaldo thrives in. His attacking coaching is evidently very hands off to allow the young players freedom to express themselves. It is hard to see this formula fulling clicking with Ronaldo.

Liverpool will win games this season, and if, for the most part, they stay fit, they will be there and there about come the second half of the season. However, Klopp's high-intensity gameplan and another run in every competition mean that the lack of depth could catch up with Liverpool. However, their know-how, experience and individual brilliance will bring them within touching distance of the title.

Manchester City will thrash against lesser teams that sit back but struggle against better teams that sit back. Their inability to penetrate Nuno Espirito Santo's Spurs makes their late September visit to Stamford Bridge very interesting. What is a given is City's credentials; there is no one better when it comes to the Premier League. Their depth and persistent intensity remain their most profound quality during a 38-game season. But, as mentioned before, the improvement of others may be their biggest concern.

Chelsea bested City three times in the back end of last season. They also managed to keep out Liverpool at Anfield for an entire half a man down. Lukaku will finish the almighty amount of chances players like Mount, Havertz, Werner, and Pulisic create and as said before, they don't seem to have a weakness at this point in time. This is all while they now have the squad depth to rival Man City's. Chelsea clearly rules this battles Tale of the Tape. They have every facet covered. 

Every season we talk about how 'this season will be one of the great seasons we have ever seen. Unfortunately, recent history contradicts that. However, the level at which these four teams will compete is perhaps the best we have seen in this league for a while. But enough of the emotive drivel. Let's get to a prediction:

1st. Chelsea

2nd. Manchester City

3rd. Liverpool

4th. Manchester United

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