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On Monday night at 11pm UK time we saw the English Premiership transfer window close. This was not like other seasons where last minute deals were scrambling to be completed. Most of the clubs had completed their signing weeks ahead of the deadline day.
Many of the clubs are not as cash rich as they have been in seasons gone by due to the covid ruling not allowing spectators to attend matches. Premiership clubs are not in a position of strength to negotiate except for the few who have rich backers. If a club doesn't have the funds then they have to do some smart deals possibly selling one or two players and then bringing replacements in on loan.
The transfer window is not only about the big players as the younger players who haven't made their mark yet are the future of these clubs. Clubs like Chelsea buy up masses of players only to loan them out to other clubs. This is an investment hoping that some of these players become hot property which they can add to their squad for free later down the line or sell them for a profit. Some may end up in their youth teams to be further developed. The number of players involved in and out of the club may surprise you as it is not one or two like you are led to believe by the press. Those are the headline names but so much is going on with the entire club and not just the Premiership squad.
Here is a break down per team with the number of players in and out plus what it cost the club. This should tell you which clubs have been effected more than others by the lock down. Some even made a profit which is unheard of.
Liverpool +11 Players -9 sold/loan cost €-37.80m
Man City +19 Players -20 sold/loan cost €-95.15m
Chelsea +26 Players -19 sold/loan cost €-171.20m
Man Utd +10 Players -8 sold/loan cost €-68.50m
Tottenham +11 Players -7 sold/loan cost €-85.10m
Arsenal +11 Players -7 sold/loan cost €-67.35m
Everton +13 Players -11 sold/loan cost €-70.45m
Leicester +10 Players -8 sold/loan cost €-10.23m
Wolves +12 Players -15 sold/loan cost €-1.60m
West Ham +9 Players -9 sold/loan cost +€600k.
Aston Villa +7 Players -13 sold/loan cost €-82.35m
Newcastle +10 Players -12sold/loan cost €-38.48m
Southampton +16 Players -13 sold/loan cost €-14.00m
Fulham +20 Players -14 sold/loan cost €-32.85m
Crystal Palace +9 Players -3 sold/loan cost +€2.20m
Brighton +25 Players -18 sold/loan cost €-2.90m
Leeds +13 Players -11 sold/loan cost €-105.20m
Sheffield +14 Players -15 sold/loan cost €-62.70m
Burnley +6 Players -6 sold/loan cost €-1.10m
West Brom +10 Players -12 sold/loan cost €-17.20m
As you can see some clubs have been busier than others not only adding to their Premiership squad of 25, but also to the youth teams. Chelsea had 26 players come in and 19 leave which is a huge amount not surprisingly spending the most.
I feel sorry for a club like Burnley who should be spending but obviously don't have the finances this season. They are in real trouble along with the likes of Fulham as a new side having been promoted needs to spend in order to stay up. Aston Villa spent over €120 m last season and struggled scraping through. That gave the team a foundation which they have now added to and are looking a totally different prospect this season. Leeds another promoted side have spent big and have given themselves a good chance of staying up. They can follow Aston Villa by adding to the squad again next season strengthening from a solid foundation.
It is quite obvious looking at the spend there is more loans than ever before helping to keep the wage bill down without outlaying the cash on purchases. A club like Liverpool have been careful considering how much they made over the last 2 seasons and surely should have got another goal keeper to cover the injured Allison. Eight weeks out is a long time to rely on a shaky number 2 and a gamble.
Manchester United were obviously hoping for Sancho's price to drop the closer the deadline got, but that deal never panned out. They look in serious trouble with the business they have done compared to the likes of Everton who somehow managed to end up with a balanced squad going places.