Ange Postecoglou said Mathys Tel is “100 per cent” committed to Tottenham after the French forward signed on loan despite reportedly rejecting a move to the club earlier in the January transfer window.
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Tottenham were busy in the final hours of Monday’s deadline day as they bolstered Postecoglou’s injury-ravaged squad, bringing in Tel and defender Kevin Danso.
Bayern Munich’s Tel, 19, was also linked with Manchester United and Arsenal before opting for Tottenham, who have an option to make the move permanent in the summer transfer window.
Postecoglou, whose team take a 1-0 lead into Thursday’s League Cup semi-final second-leg at Liverpool, told his pre-match press conference that Tel had been right to take his time over such a major decision.
“It’s not so much that he rejected us or rejected anyone else,” said the Spurs manager. “Rightly so he was getting as much information as possible.”
The Australian added: “I had a conversation with him and I guess mine was purely around the football and I think he’ll find a really great place here in terms of where he is in his career.
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“He obviously wants to play. We’ve already shown that irrespective of age, he’ll get an opportunity here, and the way we play will suit him.
“Certainly with what we have in the next few months and then more importantly what we’re building beyond, I thought he would be a perfect fit.”
When asked if he felt the France under-21 international was fully committed to Spurs, Postecoglou said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I am more than 100 per cent sure because he took so much time, was so diligent about finding out everything when he made a decision that it’s us.
“He obviously had options and that sort of gave me even more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.
“He is very ambitious. He’s got a great deal of self-belief and self-confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game and he has chosen us, which is a great vindication of what we are doing.”
Tel and Danso will both be available for Thursday’s match at Anfield, but Micky van de Ven and fellow centre-back Cristian Romero are set to miss out, with Postecoglou taking a “conservative” approach after the duo’s injury absences.
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Tottenham are one match away from a League Cup final at Wembley as they seek to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 2008.
Former Celtic boss Postecoglou, in his second season at Tottenham, put himself under pressure earlier in the campaign when he said he “always wins things in my second year”.
But he said Premier League leaders and League Cup holders Liverpool would also be feeling the pressure.
“I don’t think Liverpool will be any less anxious than us about the fixture,” he said. “You’re in a semi-final, particularly a second leg and it’s still very tight.
“It’s a big game for both clubs so you recognise that, you embrace that but ultimately if you want to be successful these are the games you want to be involved in.”
The 2023-24 summer transfer window has drawn to a close, with some clubs nailing their business while others have fallen well short of the mark as financial regulations heavily influence the Premier League’s spending habits.
Unlike windows of the past, where the Premier League attracted some of the biggest names in Europe, this year has felt a little different, with clubs focused more on ensuring safer financial practice as opposed to nailing their big money signings.
We saw less deals akin to the ones that brought Erling Haaland to Manchester City and Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea in recent seasons, and more like Elliot Anderson’s to Nottingham Forest and Conor Gallagher’s to Atletico Madrid: transfers done to appease accountants more than managers.
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The strict Premier League crackdown on its Profit and Sustainability rules in recent seasons, exemplified by Everton and Forest’s respective points deductions, appear to have frightened clubs.
This was highlighted in the 10 days preceding the June 30 accounting deadline when six clubs – Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea, Everton, Aston Villa and Leicester – sold 15 players for a grand total of £323 million ($631.8 million AUD) in a late attempt to meet PSR requirements.
According to a report from The Athletic, those 15 deals accounted for 16% of the Premier League’s spending this window, with some of those clubs enacting creative accounting to ensure their books comply and a costly points deduction is avoided.
Though this did not slow Premier League spending, with 14 clubs parting with over $150 million on players during the window, but did create a strange spending environment that will surely become a mainstay in the coming seasons.
Changed spending conditions have coincided with changing spending habits, which have been on show throughout the window and go in part to explaining the business of some sides.
The average age of the league’s 10 most expensive signings this season is 23.3 years old, highlighting how clubs are targeting younger players with high potential and resale value, as opposed to proven products in the prime of their careers.
Foxsports.com.au rates every Premier League team’s summer dealings in our Transfer Report Card!
Arsenal
Biggest signing: Riccardo Calafiori ($81.3m from Bologna)
Total spend: $186.5 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Emile Smith Rowe ($65.8m to Fulham)
Total income: $161.4 million (AUD)
Having finished second last season, Mikel Arteta’s side needed a strong transfer window to strengthen their side and solidify their title push. They did just that.
Riccardo Calafiori arrives after a strong season with Bologna and a good Euros campaign with Italy to strengthen one of Arsenal’s problem areas last season – left back, with the Italian’s ability to seamlessly invert into midfield key to Arteta’s tactical shape. Mikel Merino provides midfield strength, and allows Arsenal to push Declan Rice into a deeper role whenever required, while the move to permanently sign David Raya, and sell Aaron Ramsdale, cleared up one of the biggest clouds over the club’s 2023-24 season.
Raheem Sterling’s deadline day arrival from Chelsea is a great move, providing cover on both wings as well as title-winning experience. If Arteta can get the Englishman to perform at his best, like he did when the pair were at Manchester City, it’ll provide Arsenal with an additional goal scoring threat this season and afford Bukayo Saka a chance to rest his legs after an intense year.
Fighting off interest in Leandro Trossard from the Saudi Pro League is shrewd too given the Belgian’s impact off the bench and versatility, which will come in handy given Gabriel Jesus’ recent injury record.
Crucially in modern football the sales of Emlie Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, which will appear as pure profit on the club’s books, ensure they remain compliant with the Premier League’s strict PSR rules.
Where some feel Arsenal’s window missed the mark is their failure to bring a world class No.9 in, with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney but avoided for various reasons. Arteta has faith in Kai Havertz, who scored eight goals in 13 games as striker last season, with Trossard, Jesus and Sterling as cover.
Grade: B+
Arsenal’s Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori challenges for the ball with Brighton’s Paraguayan attacker Julio Enciso during a English Premier League match between the Emirates Stadium.Source: AFP
Aston Villa
Biggest signing: Amadou Onana ($96.8m from Everton)
Total spend: $295.8 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Moussa Diaby ($97.7m to Al-Itthad)
Total income: $271.2 million (AUD)
Villa were dealt a massive blow this window in losing Moussa Diaby and Douglas Luiz, two of their strongest performers last season.
The club signed Belgian holding midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton, with the 23-year-old already hitting the ground running by scoring twice in his first three games. Onana adds size, power and strong ball-winning skills to Villa’s midfield, though lacks the passing range and set-piece threat of Luiz.
Not to worry Villa fans, given the club already possesses Youri Tielemans, one of the Premier League’s strongest passers and a set piece specialist to rival the best of them.
Ian Maatsen, who was key in Dortmund’s run to last season’s Champions League final, gives good depth at left back, though there are concerns about the drop off between right back Matty Cash and his understudy, particularly with injuries in central defence not allowing Ezri Konsa to shuffle across.
Diaby’s loss is massive, even if the Frenchman’s performances tailed off at the end of last season, but Unai Emery already has the pieces to compensate for his departure.
Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barenechea, both signed from Juventus as part of the deal to send Luiz the other way, are young and unproven but could become integral cogs in the Villa machine once they return from their respective loans.
Villa haven’t just signed Ross Barkley is an underrated piece of business. The former Chelsea man provides Emery with experience and brilliant midfield cover following an impressive Premier League season with Luton Town.
Omari Kellyman, Tim Iroegbunam and Cameron Archer’s sales will go towards balancing the club’s books, even if the latter was re-signed from Sheffield United before being sold to Southampton, while Philippe Coutinho’s loan move to Vasco da Gama lightens the club’s wage bill.
Grade: B
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: New signing Ian Maatsen acknowledges Aston Villa fans after the team’s victory against West Ham United FC (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Bournemouth
Biggest signing: Evanilson ($61.3m from Porto)
Total spend: $172.3 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Dominic Solanke ($106m to Tottenham Hotspur)
Total income: $110.3 million (AUD)
There was no more important player to Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side last season than striker Dominic Solanke, who finished the campaign with 19 goals and three assists.
Brazilian striker Evanilson joins for a club-record fee having scored 13 Portuguese league goals last season for 3rd placed Porto.
An unknown quantity in England, Evanilson has all the makings of a well-rounded striker and joins a side that had more shot creating actions last season than Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, though it will be hard for the striker to have link up play as exceptional as Solanke.
First-choice goalkeeper Neto joins Arsenal on loan, with Kepa arriving from Chelsea to replace the Brazilian, marking a significant downgrade in the club’s goalkeeping ranks. The Spaniard is a gamble for Iraola’s side given his failure to set the Premier League alight, weak shot stopping and shortcomings when competing for crosses.
19-year-old Spanish-Dutch defender Dean Huijsen has all the makings of a serious transfer coup, with multi-Premier League winning manager Jose Mourinho once describing the centre back as “one of the highest-quality prospects in European football at this age level.”
Grade: C-
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: AFC Bournemouth’s Evanilson during the club’s Premier League match against Newcastle United. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Brentford
Biggest signing: Igor Thiago ($58m from Club Brugge)
Total spend: $169.5 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Ivan Toney ($77.4m to Al-Ahli)
Total income: $129.7 million (AUD)
Sometimes a transfer window is less about what you gain and more about what you lose.
In letting Ivan Toney walk, Brentford offloaded a player who evidently did not want to be at the club for some time, at a significant fee that allowed them to invest in the future of their club by bringing several talented youngsters in, such as Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg and Gustavo Nunes.
Not only does Toney’s transfer have significant financial benefits for the Bees, but it should also create a harmonised Brentford squad this season.
Igor Thiago was signed as Toney’s replacement after 29 goals in the Belgian league last season but is currently sidelined with a knee injury. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa have led Frank’s line brilliantly to begin the season, with the club’s ability to hold on the latter arguably their most important piece of business.
Keep an eye on teenage left back Jayden Meghoma, viewed by many good judges as one of England’s brightest young prospects. Injuries could pave the way for the flyer to break into Thomas Frank’s side at left back at some point this season.
Grade: B
Brighton
Biggest signing: Georginio Rutter ($77.4m from Leeds United)
Total spend: $381.2 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Deniz Undav ($49.7m to VFB Stuttgart)
Total income: $90.4 million (AUD)
Only Chelsea spent more money than Brighton, which comes as a surprise given the South Coast club’s highly successful ‘moneyball’ style tactics in recent years.
Those tactics are still at play, with the club not splashing huge cash on a big name signing this summer. Instead, they’ve picked up several highly promising footballers who add to 31-year-old coach Fabian Hurzeler’s squad.
Georginio Rutter, Matt O’Riley, Mats Wieffer, Ferdi Kadioglu and Brajan Gruda all have the makings of quintessential Brighton signings and will no doubt be sold for triple their purchase price in 18 months.
Over the opening three games of the season, fresh faced winger Yankuba Minteh has been incredibly impressive, playing with little fear and plenty of creativity and drive, frightening opposition left backs with his relentless attack.
Billy Gilmour’s deadline day move to Napoli weakens the club’s holding midfield stocks, which took a hit earlier in the window with Pascal Gross’ departure to Dortmund. Hurzeler has said as much in recent days, noting the club “don’t have enough players at (No.) six.”
Grade: B
Right winger Yankuba Minteh during Brighton’s Premier League win against Everton. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Chelsea
Biggest signing: Pedro Neto ($104.6m from Wolves)
Total spend: $400.6 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Conor Gallagher ($65.9m to Atletico Madrid)
Total income: $303 million (AUD)
Deep breath in. And another. 11 players arrived at Stamford Bridge over the summer, bloating Enzo Maresca’s first team squad out to a whopping 30, with a further 12 out on loan.
“You want to ask about where Joao Felix is going to play, I’ve got another question – where’s he going to get changed at the training ground?” Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher questioned.
“How are all these players in one dressing room? How are you putting on a training session?”
The Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling sagas were sour, and typified the current Chelsea regimes cold, and seemingly senseless, approach to business, but the deals to offload Ian Maatsen, Romelu Lukaku, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson were savvy moves that will go towards balancing the club’s books.
In amongst the madness of moving on Sterling and Gallagher, uncertainty around Trevoh Chalobah’s future, the lack of resolution around Ben Chilwell’s situation, and signing three left wingers, there is some small semblance of method.
Chelsea have made their intentions clear with their business; they are backing Maresca in the market and signing players whose profile fits his needs.
There is little risk to the Jadon Sancho deal, while Joao Felix’s signing could be viewed differently if the Portuguese star hits the heights expected of him when he burst onto the scene six years ago.
And yet, despite these faint glimmers of hope there is still the overwhelming sense of restlessness at the Bridge, not only given the way the club has conducted business this summer, and the enormous squad size, but also given the club spent more money than any other Premier League side while failing to address their widely perceived problem area: striker.
Toney and Osimhen were both on the table, though moves for either failed to materialise, with finances key to this. A lack of depth in holding midfield remains a concern for Maresca with Romeo Lavia’s injury history meaning the club are a Moises Caicedo injury away from a near unpluggable hole in their midfield.
Grade: B-
New signing Jadon Sancho is presented to the Chelsea fans before his side’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Crystal Palace
Biggest signing: Eddie Nketiah ($48.3m from Arsenal)
Total spend: $130.7 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Michael Olise ($87m to Bayern Munich)
Total income: $174 million (AUD)
Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace shocked the Premier League at the back end of last season, winning six of their last seven from 14th to 10th.
The pre-season expectation was for them to build on this, even with Michael Olise’s big money move to Bayern Munich removing one of the stars of last season from the fold.
Joachim Andersen left for Fulham not long after, and things could’ve gone from bad to worse if Newcastle’s aggressive pursuit of captain Marc Guehi paid off.
It didn’t, and Palace’s defence was stronger for it. Trevoh Chalobah arrived on loan from Chelsea, while the promising French Maxence Lacroix joined from Wolfsburg, further strengthening Glasner’s backline.
Japanese international Daicha Kamada and Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr strengthen his frontline, so too does the signing of Eddie Nketiah – who just feels like a Crystal Palace player.
While they’re yet to reap the rewards on the field, Palace have had one of the better windows in the Premier League, defined not so much by who they brought in as much as who they didn’t lose – Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton.
Grade: B+
Everton
Biggest signing: Jake O’Brien ($33m from Lyon)
Total spend: $83 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Amadou Onana ($96.8m to Aston Villa)
Total income: $133.6 million (AUD)
Much like Palace, Everton’s best bit of business in the summer window was not allowing their most important defensive cog to leave the club.
That Jarrad Branthwaite remained at Everton is a massive win for Sean Dyche, even if the defender has missed the opening games of the season through injury.
The 22-year-old was ranked sixth for clearances and seventh for interceptions last season and was a key reason behind Everton keeping 13 clean sheets, second only to Arsenal.
However, the Toffees lost Amadou Onana to Everton, denting their midfield stocks for perhaps the most important Premier League campaign in the club’s recent memory.
Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom headline a suite of creative signings that have their work cut out for them in trying to inspire a side that scored just 40 goals last season.
There’s no doubting Everton have made some smart additions. Whether they’ll be what’s needed to keep them away from the relegation fight is a question only time has the answer for.
Grade: D+
Amadou Onana traded Everton for Aston Villa this transfer window. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Fulham
Biggest signing: Emile Smith Rowe ($65.8m from Arsenal)
Total spend: $173.7 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Joao Palhinha ($81.9m to Bayern Munich)
Total income: $112.9 million (AUD)
One of the smaller Premier League clubs who executed a smart summer window that leaves their squad stronger this year than when it ended last season.
Of course Joao Palhinha’s departure to Bayern Munich leaves a massive hole in Marco Silva’s midfield – no player made more than his 152 tackles last season. Not signing a replacement may come back to bite them, though Harrison Reed, Sasa Lukic and new signing Sander Berge are more than capable in that role.
At the back Joachim Andersen rejoins from Palace, softening Tosin Adarabioyo’s departure, while Jorge Cuenca offers Silva an additional left footed centre back following Tim Ream’s departure.
In attack, Fulham’s have invested plenty in Emile Smith Rowe, a brilliant attacking talent who’s been stifled by injuries and falling out of Mikel Arteta’s favour in recent years. The winger/attacking midfielder has hit the ground running, scoring in Fulham’s 2-1 win over Leicester City, and could be viewed as a bargain in coming seasons if he can match, or exceed, the 10 goals he scored for the Gunners in 2021-22.
Reiss Nelson provides depth out wide following Willian’s departure for Olympiakos and could potentially push Alex Iwobi into a central midfield role he excelled at for Everton a few seasons ago.
While their business hasn’t set the world alight, it’s quietly done what it’s needed to do: make up for their outgoings and strengthen where possible.
Grade: B-
Fulham attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe joined the club this summer for $65.8 million from Arsenal. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ipswich Town
Biggest signing: Omari Hutchinson ($42.6m from Chelsea)
Total spend: $205 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: George Edmundon (loan to Middlesbrough)
Total income: N/A
Only two players contributed more than Omari Hutchinson’s 16 goals in Ipswich’s promotion campaign last season. A deal to bring the England youth international back to the club is massive towards their bid to stay up, with the attacking midfielder showing lots of promise in the season’s opening games.
Jack Clarke, Jacob Greaves and Liam Delap all have the potential to be great signings, especially for the price tag they were collected at, and could all benefit from Kieran McKenna’s brilliant management, while signing last season’s Championship top scorer Sammie Szmodics for just over $17 million is smart business.
This quartet are good enough to cut it in the Premier League, but also have the added benefit that, in the event of relegation, Ipswich can extract a high resale value or utilise their talents to earn promotion back to the top flight.
The deal to bring Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City has rocks or diamonds potential. At his best Phillips is a brilliant defensive midfielder with an exceptional passing range and wonderful ability to bait and beat opposition presses. At his worst he is injury riddled, just ask Manchester City, and error-laden, just ask West Ham.
Ipswich will be praying he’s more of the former, especially considering the 28-year-old’s experience keeping freshly promoted sides in the Premier League.
Grade: C
Omari Hutchinson during Ipswich’s Premier League match against Liverpool FC. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Leicester City
Biggest signing: Bilal El Khannouss ($38.7m from Genk)
Total spend: $153.2 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ($58.1m to Chelsea)
Total income: $58.1 million (AUD)
A few seasons ago the Foxes had a reputation as one of the savviest market operators in Europe. Deals for N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi, Wesley Fofana and Ricardo Pereira were struck with little interjection from other clubs and to great benefit for Leicester.
Relegation zapped that reputation. And while it will be hard to replicate their previous market success there are at least several positives to take from Leicester’s transfer window.
Bilal El Khannouss arrives from Genk as the Belgian league’s Young Player of the Season and an Olympic Bronze medallist who was involved in nine goals last season. The Moroccan’s stats may fail to flatter, but he’s a highly technical and intelligent footballer who glides across the park and could provide some necessary creative spark.
That creative spark takes on greater importance without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the attacking lynchpin around which the club won promotion last season. Dewsbury-Hall’s move to join Enzo Maresca is the club’s only major outgoing – a big plus in their bid to keep their top-flight status intact.
Dewsbury-Hall’s is also major for Leicester given the fee he collected will register as pure profit on the clubs’ books, an important factor given they had significant financial restraints throughout the window.
Elsewhere, Oliver Skipp is a reliable Premier League footballer signed at a good price, while making Abdul Fatawu’s loan permanent is savvy too. Both will be crucial for Steve Cooper this season.
Where their window fell short is really strengthening at striker, especially considering Jamie Vardy’s age and recent injury history and the departure of Kelechi Iheanacho to Sevilla.
Odsonne Edouard has Premier League experience, and was once a prolific goalscorer at Celtic, yet found the net just 21 times in his 103 Palace games. Given the importance of reliable goalscoring in staving off relegation.
Grade: C
Liverpool
Biggest signing: Federico Chiesa ($19.4m from Juventus)
Total spend: $19.4 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Fabio Carvalho ($43.7m to Brentford)
Total income: $102.6 million (AUD)
This summer always loomed as the end of an era at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s time at the club had drawn to a close, with Dutchman Arne Slot taking the reins of Anfield.
Immense change was expected, with new personnel viewed as a guarantee in order to assist Slot’s transition in the Liverpool managerial role.
Yet, for much of the window Liverpool were the only club in Europe’s top five leagues to have not signed a single player. That was until Giori Mamardashvili was signed from Valencia before being immediately loaned back to Spain, while a bargain move for Federico Chiesa is as risky as it is promising given the Italian’s recent injury history.
Their lack of market activity has not significantly impacted Liverpool, who have begun the season brilliantly.
Even more impressive is the club’s failure to panic once Martin Zubimendi informed them he would remain at Real Sociedad. The Spaniard, who impressed in the Euro final, was billed as the No.6 the Reds desperately needed, with many doubting who would be shoehorned into the role in his place.
Enter Ryan Gravenberch, who has done so seamlessly, bringing a unique profile into the defensive midfield role and justifying Liverpool’s lack of panic in the market.
Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg and Bobby Clark all left for good deals given their experience, while Stefan Bajcetic’s loan to RB Salzburg will be beneficial to the club in the coming seasons.
Thiago retired and Joel Matip was released, with the club opting not to dip into the market to replace the experienced Cameroonian centre half. A move for Frenchman Castello Lukeba never materialised, meaning the club only have four recognised central defenders, which could prove their Achilles heel down the line.
Liverpool great Jamie Carragher believes the club “are still short – not in terms of numbers but maybe in terms of quality – at centre-back and in holding midfield,” though credited them for not panic buying, which rarely ever works.
Grade: C+
(FILES) Liverpool new signing Federico Chiesa celebrates scoring a goal for Juventus. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)Source: AFP
Manchester City
Biggest signing: Ilkay Gundogan (Free from FC Barcelona)
Total spend: $40.7 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Julian Alvarez ($125m to Atletico Madrid)
Total income: $264.6 million (AUD)
When Julian Alvarez traded Manchester for the warmth of Madrid and the intensity of Diego Simeone, there was a sense that this may be the season City finally trips up.
At times filling in for both Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, the Argentine World Cup winner played the fifth most minutes for Pep in the Premier League last season, scoring 11 and creating eight.
Where exactly would City find a player capable of filling in for both their striker and chief creator? The answer, it seems, had been hiding in plain sight.
Released from the final two years of his Barcelona contract, former City captain Ilkay Gundogan has been deployed as a false nine many times for Guardiola but is naturally a brilliant creative midfielder. There is arguably no better Alvarez replacement in world football.
The German headlines a quiet summer of incomings for City, which includes tricky Brazilian winger Savinho – who joined from Girona and has already shown what a delight he is with the ball at his feet. Both are smart additions that boost an already exceptional squad.
Even still, City enter the campaign without a recognised back up striker on their books.
For any other side this would be deeply concerning. For City, it’s a problem, given Haaland’s relatively good injury record, without yet being a major issue, yet.
Pep noted as much, stating the club’s choice not to replace Alvarez could be a “problem” that may turn into a “mistake” but believes the club have enough players in house who can fill in for Haaland, including Gundogan, Phil Foden and youngsters James McAtee and Oscar Bobb.
Where City were smart this window is their ability to offload unwanted, but talented, academy products for strong fees that allow them to clean their books.
Liam Delap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle all permanently moved away from the Etihad. Offloading Joao Cancelo’s contract from the club’s books can also not be understated.
Grade: B-
lkay Gundogan re-joined Manchester City from FC Barcelona on a free transfer this summer. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Manchester United
Biggest signing: Lenny Yoro ($101.4m from LOSC Lille)
Total spend: $354.4 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Scott McTominay ($49.9m to Napoli)
Total income: $164.5 million (AUD)
As has been the case for the last decade, it’s incredibly hard to get a read on whether or not United’s transfer window has been good.
On paper they’ve brought in good players. Lenny Yoro has massive wraps on him and may just be the best centre back at his age group, Joshua Zirkzee is a unicorn of a striker as capable of dropping deep and creative as many attacking midfielders, and Manuel Ugarte appears the kind of no-nonsense midfield anchor they’ve been crying out for.
Matthijs De Ligt was once Europe’s finest young centre half but has failed to impress at two of the continent’s biggest clubs. He arrives with a major question mark. While at just over $25 million, Noussair Mazraoui has all the makings of a bargain.
And yet there is an element of groundhog day about this window. United have had good windows in the past. Remember 2021, When the club signed Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo? Or 2022, when Casemiro, Antony and Lisandro Martinez arrived at Old Trafford? Or last year, when Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund joined?
All of these windows were rightly perceived as great windows on face value of the signings. And the same can be said for this window. All of United’s deals look good on paper, but that matters for very little if the club’s form doesn’t turn around.
Where United, and their restructured footballing ownership, deserve credit is offloading Mason Greenwood to Marseille, clearing the club of the winger’s baggage. Allowing Aaron Wan-Bissaka to move to West Ham is also smart given he doesn’t fit the profile of an Erik Ten Hag fullback.
At nearly $50 million, the club would have been foolish to reject Napoli’s offer for Scott McTominay, though his passion and versatility could well be missed dearly.
Grade: B-
Manchester United’s new signings (L to R) Matthijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro (using crutches due to a metatarsal injury), Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui acknowledge the fans prior to United’s clash with Fulham. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Newcastle United
Biggest signing: Lewis Hall ($54.6 million from Chelsea – loan move made permanent)
Total spend: $74.2 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Elliot Anderson ($68.3 million to Nottingham Forest)
Total income: $132.8 million (AUD)
Arguably no Premier League club had their hands tied behind their back by financial constraints more than Newcastle United.
Manager Eddie Howe described it as “challenging,” before sharing his hopes the club’s minimal business helps them strengthen in future windows.
Out went Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, both of whom would have pushed for a place in Howe’s squad, and potentially starting XI, with Anderson’s move to Forest facilitated purely for financial reasons.
The club’s financial constraints meant they were limited in their ability to dip into the transfer market, with Lewis Hall’s loan move being made permanent and William Osula’s signing the only two the club splashed cash on.
Lloyd Kelly adds much-needed defensive depth, and will be a valuable squad player once everyone is fit, but is hardly a signing to set the world alight.
It would be harsh to judge Newcastle’s incomings too severely due to the club’s financial constraints, though questions need to be asked about their failed pursuit of Palace centre back Marc Guehi, as well as their inability to offload Kieran Trippier – who begins the season as Howe’s right back deputy.
Clearly the money was there, just not used in ways that strengthen the players at Howe’s disposal. What did strengthen Howe’s side was keeping Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, which is about the only commendable business Newcastle conducted.
At best, Newcastle will reflect on this window as one that boosted their squad and brought in two fine young talents. At worst, it will be seen as a failure that failed to achieve anything other than balance the club’s books.
Grade: D+
Nottingham Forest
Biggest signing: Elliot Anderson ($68.3 million from Newcastle United)
Total spend: $175 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Moussa Niakhate ($52.8 million to Lyon)
Total income: $88.9 million (AUD)
Dare we say it… did Forest have a strong transfer window?
Considering the club have had an even more scattergun approach to transfers in recent years than even Chelsea, their activity was measured, geared towards strengthening Nuno’s squad as opposed to signing as many players as possible.
Elliot Anderson is a wonderful footballer, Nikola Milenkovic has been impressive in recent seasons for Fiorentina, Jota Silva has massive wraps as an elusive winger with goal scoring nous, while James Ward-Prowse’s loan adds depth, experience and set piece threat to Nuno’s midfield.
Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga remain at the City ground, highlighting how their astute incomings came without expensive outgoings.
Given the club targeted seven goalkeepers throughout last season, and current No.1 Matz Sels had the lowest save percentage (57.4%) of all 25 goalkeepers in the Premier League last season, not bringing in a new goalkeeper is the one glaring negative against Forest’s window.
The club lagged in their attempt to sign Aaron Ramsdale, who joined Southampton instead, saw their advances for Neto knocked back, missed out on Sam Johnstone to Wolves, failed in their attempt to bring French international Brice Samba back to the club and were unwilling to meet Liverpool’s valuation for Ireland international Caoimhim Kelleher.
Another clear area the club were attempting to strengthen but failed to do is up front, with their pursuits of Eddie Nketiah, Yoane Wissa, Omar Marmoush, Evanilson and Santiago Gimenez all ending in nothing.
While this is disappointing for Forest fans, their manager reportedly has no qualms with Sels as first choice keeper, while New Zealand international Chris Wood has begun the season in red-hot scoring form.
What isn’t disappointing for Forest fans is the fact their club didn’t panic buy when missing out on their targets and instead stuck the course with what they had and trusted Nuno to get the best out of them.
Grade: B-
Elliot Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle just before the June 30 PSR deadline. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Southampton
Biggest signing: Aaron Ramsdale ($35.2 million from Arsenal)
Total spend: $205.4 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Carlos Alcaraz ($29.7 million to Flamengo)
Total income: $82.5 million (AUD)
For much of the window, Southampton seemed to sign players with one eye on remaining in the Premier League and another on gaining promotion in the event they’re relegated this season.
Given last season’s promoted contingent – Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United – all went straight back down at the end of 2023-24, this business approach is as smart as it is sad.
Aaron Ramsdale’s signing late in the window shows the hunger is there for Russell Martin’s side. He headlines a savvy window for the Saints, who also made Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes’ loan moves permanent, while Ben Brereton-Diaz should add goals.
Goals will be a problem for Southampton this season given Adam Armstrong’s never scored more than two Premier League goals in a single season, and Brereton-Diaz has the potential to provide a threat upfront after scoring six times in 14 Premier League games on loan at Sheffield United last season.
There is hope Cameron Archer can blossom into a reliable Premier League striker, which is why the Saints paid Villa $29 million for his services, even if he’s scored more than 10 goals in a season once in his career.
At the very least, should Southampton fail to find the goals they’ll need to survive, their signings this window have a high enough ceiling to serve them well in the coming years.
Grade: C-
Ange bullish wins will come soon | 00:25
Tottenham Hotspur
Biggest signing: Dominic Solanke ($107m from Bournemouth)
Total spend: $234.8 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Oliver Skipp ($39 million to Leicester City)
Total income: $114.6 million (AUD)
12 months after Harry Kane moved to Bayern Munich, Spurs have finally landed on their replacement for the England captain.
In Dominic Solanke, Ange Postecoglou has a striker moulded similarly to Kane as you can get on the market. A career-high 19 goal haul last season is the headline figure for the former Bournemouth man, but his link up play and ability to drag opponents out of position and bring teammates into play is among the best in Europe.
An early injury setback following a disappointing debut has soured the early weeks of Solanke’s time at Spurs but Postecoglou has made it no secret that he feels the 26-year-old will succeed at the club.
“He is a presence and scores different types of goals. I think the way we play suits him,” the Spurs coach said.
Elsewhere, the club brought in Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall in, all three of whom are fine young footballers with the potential to grow into exceptional players around which Spurs’ side can be constructed.
18-year-old Gray in particular marks a significant transfer coup, with the 2023-24 Championship Young Player of the Season already a fine holding midfielder, and capable right back, who was highly-rated by former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Last season, Gray led Leeds in tackles, was ranked third in tackles and won possession back more often than just about anyone at the club.
Away from new signings, Spurs were able to offload several high-wage, low performance players, namely Tanguy Nbombele, and find new homes for footballers who don’t suit Postecoglou’s style, such as Eric Dier, Emerson Royal and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
For his part, the Australian described the club’s activity as a “real positive” but noted there were shortcomings with their activity.
“We know there’s still some areas where I look at squad management and we can improve. Again, it’s got to be the right person, the right player and right person,” Postecoglou said, before hinting at potential reinforcements joining the club in January.
One area the club are undoubtedly assessing depth options for is defence. Last season, Spurs’ campaign was derailed by injuries and suspensions to Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie.
At present, Spurs have just four centre backs on their books, with one of those being Ben Davies – who began his career at left back. Depth in this area is a must if Spurs are to blossom in the coming seasons, with a potential January defensive signing on the cards, one in a similar mould to Radu Dragusin.
Grade: B
Spurs record signing Dominic Solanke joined Spurs from Bournemouth during the summer window for $107 million. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
West Ham
Biggest signing: Max Kilman ($78.2 million from Wolves)
Total spend: $247.5 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Flynn Downes ($35.2 million to Southampton)
Total income: $81 million (AUD)
It’s almost impossible to ignore West Ham’s business and suggest the club aren’t the winners of this year’s summer transfer window.
And the fact they’re the winners is not because they’ve signed a lot of players (nine). If that were the case Chelsea would’ve won by many country miles.
No, it’s the type of players the Hammers have brought in. Good players, with a clear place in the squad, that add value to Julen Lopetegui’s side while coming at largely affordable prices.
Picking up Max Kilman from Wolves is such astute business; only three players made more clearances last season and only four won a higher percentage of their tackles.
He is one of several defence reinforcements joining the Hammers, alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who’s defensive excellence compensates for his offensive limitations, and Jean-Clair Todibo, who joins on a loan with an obligation to buy.
Given the two-time French international was on the radar of many clubs, including Manchester United, West Ham’s ability to sign him represents a significant transfer coup.
Last season’s Championship Player of the Season Crysencio Summerville bolsters an already stacked attack line. The Dutchman’s importance could grow depending on the outcome of an FA investigation into Lucas Paqueta’s potential betting breaches.
Spanish international Carlos Soler and Argentinian midfielder Guido Rodriguez provide depth to Lopetegui’s midfield too, especially with James Ward-Prowse’s loan to Forest.
West Ham’s smart signings have been counteracted with necessary outgoings, including Said Benrahma, Thilo Kehrer, Maxwel Cornet and Nayef Aguerd, all of whom had rather forgettable spells with the Hammers.
Grade: A+
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Biggest signing: Andre ($41 million from Fluminese)
Total spend: $120.3 million (AUD)
Biggest exit: Pedro Neto ($104.6m to Chelsea)
Total income: $192 million (AUD)
Club captain, gone.
Best player, gone.
Fair to say, it hasn’t been the best window for Gary O’Neil’s Wolves. Max Kilman left for West Ham and Pedro Neto for Chelsea, significantly weakening the manager’s defensive and creative options.
“Those guys, we need to replace them,” O’Neil told Sky Sports. That they didn’t could prove damning for the club, even if they have faith in the in-house options they have to make up for their two big losses.
Andre, signed from Fluminese, shapes as smart business, with the ball-winning midfielder a wild success in his homeland. He adds to a strong midfield contingent at the club.
Tommy Doyle’s return is positive after he impressed on loan last season, with Jorgen Strand Larsen has already shown his immense presence up top.
Sam Johnstone is a fine goalkeeper, but is he better than Jose Sa? While question marks remain about the rest of the clubs’ signings, many of whom have high ceilings while lacking Premier League experience.
Speaking to Sky Sports, O’Neil indicated earlier in the window that the club needed to look at bringing in players capable of helping them win now.
“Recruitment has been asset-driven and we are hopeful that we can balance that slightly, to get some that are Premier League ready,” he said.
For the large part the club didn’t, and if their start to the season is anything to go by that strategy will do more short term harm than long-term good.
The 2024 summer transfer window will shut this Friday night as clubs up and down the country face a race against time to complete deals.
The winter window was a bit of a damp squib as financial constraints limited the majority of Premier League clubs into doing little business.
2
The summer transfer window is set to explode now that Euro 2024 and the Copa America are over
However, that has changed this summer after clubs agreed in principle to change the profit and sustainability rules [PSR].
But many clubs were still struggling come the June deadline, so there were a host of deals between top-flight clubs to ensure no side faced a points deduction.
Now that period is over, all 20 Premier League teams are cracking on with strengthening their squads ahead of the window slamming shut.
When does the summer transfer window close?
The transfer window in Europe is set to be shorter this year, with business ending on Friday, August 30 at 11pm.
The Premier League has typically shut on September 1 but has brought forward Deadline Day to fall in line with other leagues.
However, nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey often extend their trading period.
This can leave teams vulnerable to any late moves, although top-flight clubs could use the Saudi Pro League as a way to ease some of their financial problems.
2
Riyad Mahrez was one of a number of Premier League players who moved to the Middle East last yearCredit: Getty
Flex pleads with Manchester United to sell Jadon Sancho insisting he is at his highest possible value
Four Saudi clubs are now bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund, while Al-Ettifaq have Steven Gerrard as their manager, so there are likely to be another set of top-flight players heading to the Middle East this summer.
Last year, Premier League clubs spent over £2billion, and there will be more cash splashed this time as well.
But with PSR still tight for many clubs, it would be a surprise if we hit such numbers again.
Arsenal are getting a defender who can do it all in Riccardo Calafiori.
That’s according to talkSPORT host, and former Chelsea striker, Tony Cascarino ahead of the Italy defender’s switch to the Emirates.
4
Calafiori would be an excellent addition for the GunnersCredit: Getty
talkSPORT understands the Gunners have reached an agreement in principle with Bologna to sign the 22-year-old.
The deal is believed to be worth an initial £34million, rising to £38m in add-ons.
A post went viral on social media purporting to be from his girlfriend claiming he had joined, but she later denied that it was from her account.
The north Londoners already have William Saliba and Gabriel as their centre-back pairing, who were both rock solid for Arsenal in their attempt to topple Manchester City last season.
Cascarino said on Weekend Sports Breakfast: “If Arsenal are getting a deal done for £40 million for a centre-half that a lot of clubs have looked at and wanted then that’s a fantastic addition to the club.
“He’s got it all. He’s really composed, but he’s got a bit of Sergio Ramos in him as well.
“He gets on the ball, he can find passes really easily. You can play him in a three, you can play him in a two. He’s really versatile and I think it’s a great addition for Arsenal.”
European football expert Lars Sivertsen says Calafiori will still be a perfect addition – and the versatile star doesn’t just play at centre-back either.
He said: “A very confident defender, used to play as a left-back when he was younger.
“I think the memory most people will have of him this summer is when he was striding forth with the ball for Italy when they got a last minute draw against Croatia.”
4
Calafiori has been a revelation at BolognaCredit: Getty
4
Calafiori has been compared to RamosCredit: Getty
Calafiori joined Bologna last summer, helping them to finish fifth in Serie A last term, rising from ninth place from the season prior.
Under head coach Thiago Motta he was switched to a centre-back role, where he emerged as one of the best players in the league – making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and providing five assists.
He kept his new role for Euro 2024, bursting forward from central defence and feeding Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni who bagged a last-ditch equaliser and broke Croatian hearts.
“That’s quite indicative,” Sivertsen said. “He’s quite a confident guy, he used to play at left-back so is confident moving the ball forward out of defence.
Simon Jordan is left stunned by Arsenal’s £50 million price tag for Eddie Nketiah and claims he would be ‘lucky’ to be worth £30 million
“He’s also a good defender. You can probably use him at left-back if you want to. I think it’s a really interesting addition to Arsenal.
“I think he’s good enough to play for the first-team and he gives them an option for two different positions.”
Despite not being far into his career, the defender got experience outside of Italy before popping up on Arsenal’s radar.
Sivertsen continued: “A really interesting player. He took a slightly roundabout way to reach the levels he’s at now.
“He was on the books at Roma. He’s from Rome and he was part of the youth set-up and then never quite broke through there.
4
Calafiori started the move that saw Croatia crash out of Euro 2024Credit: Getty
“Then he went off to Switzerland to play for Basel, which was an odd thing for a young, promising player to do.
“But he found his groove there and was part of the great Bologna team that surprised a lot of people in Serie A this season.”
Calafiori’s Bologna contract expires in June 2027.
The 2024 summer transfer window is open and clubs up and down the country are in a race against time to complete deals.
The winter window was a bit of a damp squib as financial constraints limited the majority of Premier League clubs into doing little business.
2
The summer transfer window is set to explode now that Euro 2024 and the Copa America are over
However, that is set to change this summer after clubs have agreed in principle to change the profit and sustainability rules [PSR].
But many clubs were still struggling come the June deadline, so there were a host of deals between top-flight clubs to ensure no side faced a points deduction.
Now that period is over, all 20 Premier League teams are cracking on with strengthening their squads ahead of the window slamming shut in six weeks.
When does the summer transfer window close?
The transfer window in Europe is set to be shorter this year, with business ending on Friday, August 30 at 11pm.
The Premier League has typically shut on the first of September but has brought forward Deadline Day to fall in line with other leagues.
However, nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey often extend their trading period.
This can leave teams vulnerable to any late moves, although top-flight clubs could use the Saudi Pro League as a way to ease some of their financial problems.
2
Riyad Mahrez was one of a number of Premier League players who moved to the Middle East last yearCredit: Getty
Four Saudi clubs are now bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund, while Al-Ettifaq have Steven Gerrard as their manager, so there are likely to be another set of top-flight players heading to the Middle East this summer.
Last year, Premier League clubs spent over £2billion, and there will be more cash splashed this time as well.
But with PSR still tight for many clubs, it would be a surprise if we hit such numbers again.
Tottenham are interested in bringing in AS Monaco full-back Vanderson as a replacement for Emerson Royal, according to reports.
The 22-year-old Brazilian has been identified as one of Spurs’ options should Royal leave, with the north London club already rejecting a bid from Al Nassr for him in January.
2
Vanderson (right) faced Arsenal in the Emirates Cup last yearCredit: GETTY
According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Spurs defender – whose contract ends in June 2026 – is expected to leave Spurs for AC Milan.
Reports also state Monaco want more than €40million [£35million] fee for Vanderson.
However Spurs are said to be keen on the right-back, who started his career at Gremio after coming through their academy.
He joined Monaco in 2022 for €11million [£9million] on a five-year deal.
Vanderson then penned a year-extension to that deal in February this year, keeping him at the club until 2028.
He’s now made 84 appearances for the French side, scoring six goals and bagging nine assists in that time.
The youngster has experience in the Europa League with Monaco, making eight appearances in the competition.
Vanderson has made two appearances for Brazil, too, being handed his debut in a 4-1 win over Guinea in June 2023.
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Vanderson would come in for Royal should he move onCredit: Getty
He was previously linked with European giants Manchester United and Barcelona, with the full-back admitting those reports made him feel ‘fantastic’.
“It’s great to hear that Barça and United love you,” he said last September, as per Dario AS.
Ledley King recalls the time he played against Liverpool at Anfield after not training for seven months due to injury then got man on the match, played 90 minutes and won
“It’s fantastic to know that your name is mentioned in the big clubs. We’re starting the season well with Monaco, now I’m focused only in that.”
Monaco went on to finish second in Ligue 1, nine points off champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Timo Werner has rejoined on loan for another season from RB Lepizig, whilst Lucas Bergvall has joined from Djurgarden for £8.5million.
Spurs released Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Japhet Tanganga this summer.
Jurgen Klopp’s shock decision to step down at the end of the season leaves Liverpool looking for a new manager for the first time in nearly a decade.
Here are five of the contenders to replace the German next season!
Ange swerves Klopp question in presser | 00:15
Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
A former Liverpool midfielder, Alonso is the front-runner thanks to the remarkable job he is doing at German club Leverkusen.
Not since Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012 have the might of Bayern Munich been dethroned as German champions.
But that run is in danger with Leverkusen unbeaten in 27 games in all competitions this season and four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The Spaniard is putting into practice an extraordinary football education having played under Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez and Vicente del Bosque as a player.
Although Alonso is also admired by former clubs Bayern and Real Madrid, Klopp’s exit could allow Liverpool to swoop for the hottest coaching prospect in European football.
Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach Xabi Alonso. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP)Source: AFP
Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)
The Italian has earned rave reviews for both his results and style of play since taking over at Brighton in September 2021.
De Zerbi led the Seagulls into Europe for the first time in the club’s history last season and has reached the last 16 of the Europa League.
However, he was reminded of Brighton’s place in the Premier League food chain as Liverpool snapped up Alexis Mac Allister in the summer transfer window and tried to also land Moises Caicedo before he joined Chelsea for a British transfer record fee in August.
De Zerbi has rebuilt impressively with Brighton seventh in the Premier League table, but the chance to compete for trophies at Anfield would prove hard to resist.
Brighton’s head coach Roberto De Zerbi. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
Once the rising star of German coaching, Naglesmann’s meteoric rise after success at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig was knocked off course when he was sacked by Bayern after less than two years in charge in Bavaria last year.
The 36-year-old has since taken up the challenge of reviving Germany’s fortunes in time for Euro 2024 on home soil.
Friendly results so far have not been promising with just one win in four games, including defeats to Turkey and Austria.
No matter how the Euro goes for Nagelsmann and his nation, he may seek the day-to-day thrill that comes from club coaching next season.
Julian Nagelsmann could be a contender. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham)
Postecoglou’s mix of charisma and coaching ability has transformed the mood at Tottenham in a similar fashion to how Klopp’s arrival lifted the atmosphere around Liverpool nine years ago.
The Australian is barely six months into a four-year contract and Spurs would make it extremely expensive should Liverpool set their sights on Postecoglou.
But the 58-year-old has shown his ruthlessness in the past to jump ship when he has seen a better opportunity arise and what better opportunity than the chance to coach your boyhood club?
Postecoglou left Yokohama Marinos mid-season to join Celtic in 2021 and departed the Scottish champions last year after winning five trophies in two seasons.
Could Ange make the move? (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Steven Gerrard (Al-Ettifaq)
One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, Gerrard would have been one of the favourites for the job just a couple of years ago.
However, the former England captain’s coaching career has gone backwards since leading Scottish giants Rangers to their only top-flight league title in the past 13 years in 2021.
Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa after less than a year in charge and has since seen his successor Unai Emery take Villa from relegation candidates to challenging for the Premier League title.
Last year he joined the influx of star names to the Saudi Pro League to take charge of Al-Ettifaq and only last week he extended his contract there to 2027 despite modest results.
Newcastle thrashed Sheffield United 8-0 to shrug off their slow start to the Premier League season on Sunday, as Son Heung-min’s double earned Tottenham a point from a pulsating 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
Saudi-backed Newcastle had lost three of their opening five Premier League games to dampen expectations of a title challenge on Tyneside.
But Eddie Howe’s men showed no mercy as they put the Blades to the sword with ease.
Three goals in 14 first-half minutes set the tone as Sean Longstaff, Dan Burn and Sven Botman put the visitors on course to cruise to victory.
Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak were then on target after the break as the Magpies became the first side to have eight different goalscorers, not including own goals, in a Premier League game.
“The big thing for us was that we really wanted to score and we weren’t content with three,” said Howe. “I want that mentality to run through the team.”
However, Newcastle fell just short of the nine-goal Premier League record for a margin of victory.
The size of the defeat sinks Sheffield United to bottom of the table on goal difference with Paul Heckingbottom’s future as manager now in doubt.
Things went from bad to worse for Chelsea.Source: AFP
BLUES NIGHTMARE AFTER ANOTHER LOSS
Chelsea’s disastrous start to Mauricio Pochettino’s reign goes on as the 10-man Blues lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa.
Malo Gusto’s straight red card for a lunge on Lucas Digne on the hour mark gave the home side a mountain to climb at Stamford Bridge.
Villa made their man advantage count when Ollie Watkins’ powerful strike beat Robert Sanchez from a narrow angle.
Despite spending more than any other Premier League club in the summer transfer window, Chelsea have taken just five points from Pochettino’s first six league games in charge.
They have failed to score in three straight games, with their five points from six games their worst tally since 1978.
“We need to be aware about what is going on but at the same time we need to be calm,” said Pochettino. “We cannot say that the players gave up after 70 minutes, they were fighting until the end with one player less.”
Besides Gusto, they’ll also be without starting striker Nicolas Jackson for their next game, after he picked up a fifth yellow card in just six Premier League games to cop himself a one-match suspension.
The worst Blues since ‘78.Source: Getty Images
‘BRAVE’ SPURS BATTLE BACK
Spurs have still won just once in their last 31 away league meetings with Arsenal, but the optimism garnered under Ange Postecoglou’s early weeks in charge was not punctured at the Emirates despite twice falling behind in the north London derby.
Arsenal’s bright start was rewarded when Bukayo Saka’s strike was deflected into his own net by Cristian Romero.
But for the fifth time in seven games under Postecoglou, Tottenham fought back from a goal down.
James Maddison’s cross was swept home by Son at the near post three minutes before half-time.
Romero’s afternoon went from bad to worse when he was harshly penalised for handball and Saka stroked home the resulting penalty to restore Arsenal’s lead.
VAR call leaves Ange ‘disconsolate’ | 01:12
But the Gunners lost record signing Declan Rice at half-time to injury and that proved costly as an error from his replacement Jorginho gifted Tottenham an equaliser just a minute later.
Maddison was again the creator as he robbed the Italian midfielder and teed up Son for a cool finish into the far corner.
“Arsenal are a top team and we had to defend at times. But we showed real courage and bravery to keep playing our football,” said Postecoglou.
A draw leaves Spurs and Arsenal in fourth and fifth respectively, four points off the top.
Liverpool cut Manchester City’s lead at the top to two points with a 3-1 win over West Ham as Jurgen Klopp’s men showed more promising signs of getting back to their best.
The Reds sank to fifth last season, but have the firepower that could make them the biggest threat to City’s throne as champions.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he was up-ended in the box by Nayef Aguerd.
West Ham bounced back to fully merit their equaliser before half-time when Jarrod Bowen’s diving header found the far corner.
However, the Hammers were undone by a moment of magic when Alexis Mac Allister’s inch-perfect chip picked out Darwin Nunez, who volleyed into the far corner.
Diogo Jota then came off the bench to make it 3-1 five minutes from time.
Darwin Nunez scored a stunner.Source: Getty Images
BRIGHTON BATTLE BACK AFTER HOWLER
Brighton took advantage of dropped points for both north London sides to move up to third after coming from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1.
Dominic Solanke fired Bournemouth in front after a glaring error from Brighton ‘keeper Bart Verbruggen.
Milos Kerkez’s own goal brought Brighton level in first-half stoppage time, but that did not stop coach Roberto de Zerbi sending on Kaoru Mitoma at the break.
The Japanese winger took just 16 seconds to put Brighton in front with a precise finish and Mitoma made sure of the points when he headed home Pervis Estupinan’s cross 14 minutes from time.
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton scores the team’s third goal.Source: Getty Images
With just over a week of the summer transfer window left to run, the future of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku remains a mystery.
Lukaku has reiterated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge after returning from a season on loan at Inter Milan, but Chelsea is running out of time to offload the 30-year-old after deals with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and Inter fell through.
Lukaku rejected an offer from Al-Hilal early in the transfer window, believing he is still capable of playing at the highest level.
Inter were keen to bring the Belgian forward back to the club permanently, having previously been on their books from 2019-2021 before moving to Chelsea, with a reported fee of £32m ($A63m) including add-ons agreed between the two clubs.
But Inter were furious when they discovered Lukaku had been secretly negotiating a potential move to their rivals Juventus – with those talks beginning while Internazionale were preparing for a Champions League final.
Inter Milan’s forward Romelu Lukaku. Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFPSource: AFP
It is a significant backflip from the player who said in 2021 he would ‘never’ sign for Inter’s biggest rivals Juventus and AC Milan.
He said: “If Juventus or AC Milan will call me in the future? Never, never.”
When Inter found out about Lukaku’s negotiations with Juventus, they immediately pulled the pin on the deal.
“There are targets that you think you’d get, but in the end, it doesn’t happen,” club director Beppe Marotta said this week.
“I can only say that Lukaku left a huge disappointment. I don’t know where he’ll go now, there aren’t many options left, I don’t think he’ll be back in Italy, there are just 10 days remaining.”
According to The Telegraph, Lukaku has been training with Chelsea’s Under-21 side and is yet to speak with new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea still refuses to allow Lukaku to leave on loan, while Juventus is currently the only club actively pursuing him, The Telegraph reports.
Juventus has already approached Chelsea with a couple of swap-deal offers for Lukaku, both of which included getting Dusan Vlahovic off their wage bill, but Chelsea turned the proposals down.
Without selling Vlahovic or other similarly high-profile players, Juventus don’t have the ability to sign Lukaku given financial fair play restrictions.
Given the Blues have continued their big-spending ways this transfer window, they will be keen to cash in on Lukaku rather than pay his hefty wages for a season that could very well be spent in exile from the first team.
Lukaku, who is quickly tunning out of options, needs Chelsea to lower their asking price to facilitate a move to Juventus, or for that club to offload Vlahovic to facilitate a move.
The summer transfer window closes on September 1, but Saudi Arabia’s transfer window closes almost a week later – meaning that could become his final option should a Juventus deal fail to materialise.
