I’ve got to be honest; I’d rate this transfer window at about 7/10 overall. I think we started well, gradually brought in the right type of players, addressed a couple of areas that needed attention, but couldn’t quite finish the race and get everything we needed over the line.
Making use of the free transfers was a smart move. When we brought in Nmecha on a free, I thought, “as long as he’s not our main striker signing, then it could be decent”. We followed this up with the signing of Jaka Bijol, who I thought was a quality addition, with fellow centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw quickly following.
I was seeing something of a trend here. Each of these signings were over six foot and the fact Daniel Farke had, essentially brought in two powerful centre-backs as well, told me everything I needed to know about our strategy. Or, so it seemed.
Bring in physical, yet still technically good players who can cope with the demands of the Premier League. In our final season last time out, we were too soft and got bullied often. I was happy with this new strategy.
Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach quickly followed and I was impressed; the former a coup at £12 million and with elite experience as well as being a tough-tackling, midfield engine with an occasional eye for goal. The latter was another giant and seemingly an all-round midfielder. At £17 million, I was happy with this.
A couple more giants in Lucas Perri – to replace Illan Meslier and then Dominic Calvert-Lewin (on a free transfer) followed. I was happy with Perri – from the videos I’d seen, he looked decent and an improvement on what we have. Though, Calvert-Lewin; again – I was happy that he cost us nothing, but it had me wondering if the board were willing to pay for a quality striker.
In the interim, of course, we brought in left-back, Gabriel Gudmmondsson – a shade under six foot, though seemingly very solid and, for a good price.
A Number Of Frustrations
Obviously, our pursuit of Igor Paixao ended in disappointment, after the left-winger chose Marseille and Champions League football – it was just frustrating – it’s the hope that kills you and I, like many of you were probably thinking that he could have been our next Raphinha.
Similarly, Fulham snubbing our interest in striker Rodrigo Muniz was annoying. I think, had we brought in those two, plus maybe, Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United and, that would have been a nice complement of attacking signings to add to what we had brought in already.
From a stability perspective, I think we did well. The signings we did bring in will make us harder to beat and add more steel, though I’m massively underwhelmed by who we signed in attack.
Though, if Calvert-Lewin can rediscover his best form, then we could have a striker who is capable of hitting double figures and, he can be a handful. Getting him for free is an added bonus. Nmecha has already registered a goal for us; albeit a penalty in our win at home against Everton and, if he stays fit (like Calvert-Lewin), could be a useful player to have.
