What an absolutely insane game week lads!, culminating with the madness of the Transfer Deadline day! Most clubs across Europe had a pretty hectic Monday as they tried to get some last moment deals and steals before the international transfer window shut at 11 pm. A bit more on this a little later as we rate the PL teams and their business in the extended summer window. FYI: PL clubs can still do business with EFL until October 16th.
More than the teams and players, Bawa welcomes this break! United’s humiliation at the hands of Mou Mama’s Spurs at Old Trafford and Woodward’s inability to find a quality central defender has led Bawa to take to take up Yoga coz let’s be honest if you are a United supporter, alcohol just doesn’t cut it anymore! In fact, these past few weeks of football have been so crazy that one of our contributors has taken off to the hills, a luxury, sadly, not afforded to most of us.
While Bawa completely fluffed his lines this week similar to Teemo Pukki but considering we’re still in 2020, even Nostradamus or Bejan Daruwalla would have had a tough time. So bhailog, kindly give Bawa a break!! (pun intended)
While it’s still early days, the fact that Everton and Aston Villa remain the only unbeaten teams, serve as a perfect advertisement for the Premier League and bear testimony to its unpredictable nature.
While the Hammers, Villa,and Spurs recorded smashing wins, Bawa sticks to his guns about Leeds vs. City being Match of the Week. Leeds seem more than comfortable in this division and gave City and Pep’s men a hard run for their money, so much so that Pep was forced to make two defensive substitutions at 1-1.
Noteworthy performances of the week:
Michael Antonio’s inspiring performance at King Power stadium where he single handedly bullied the entire Leicester defence.
Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins masterminding a famous victory by taking advantage of Liverpool’s defensive frailties.
Heung Min Son pulling the hamstrings and helping Spurs to a memorable victory at Old Trafford.
Transfer Window Report-card
Arsenal – 8/10
This will be a transfer window to savour for Arsenal fans as they seemed to have strengthened their spine well by getting Auba & Saka to sign new contracts and adding the likes of Gabriel, Willian to the Partey 😉 The fact that Atletico and Simeone were the last ones to know that Partey’s release clause was met is the kind of karmic justice that Bawa can fully get on board with! #NoThomasNoPartey
Aston Villa – 9/10
With the additions of Martinez, Cash, Watkins, Traore and the loan signing of Ross Barkley, Dean Smith seems to have addressed all the issues to avoid another relegation battle. As seen in their performance against Liverpool, this team has the ingredients to spring many a surprise this season.
Brighton – 6/10
Adding the experience of Lallana and Veltman to youth prospects like Tariq Lamptey, Potter has assembled a good squad but they needed to add more quality to challenge for a top half finish.
Burnley – 2/10
Sean Dyche and his Burnley side are going to struggle this season due to their inability to add quality to their ranks. They have only added the uninspiring Dale Stephens and Will Norris and will hope that the squad remains relatively healthy to avoid a relegation scrap.
Chelsea – 10/10
After their one season transfer ban, Chelsea returned to the market like the Kardashians, buying more expensive items despite having a closet full of unused designer wear. Werner, Havertz, Ziyech, Chilwell, Sarr, Mendy were bought for a total of $300M and should challenge on all fronts. If not, expect a change on the manager front.
Crystal Palace – 4/10
Despite an ageing and makeshift back line and an out of sorts striker in Benteke, Roy Hodgson surprisingly decided to invest in two youngsters, Eze and Ferguson. Keeping Zaha for the time being is the only positive for Palace fans but they might struggle as the season progresses.
Everton – 9/10
Don Carlo went ahead and bought himself a new midfield, comprising, James Rodriguez, Doucoure and Allan. He also addressed his other problem areas by adding Olsen and Godfrey to increase competition at the back. With no European participation, Everton look favourites to enter the top 6.
Fulham – 3/10
Tony Khan seemed to be more active on Twitter than actually trying to add the much needed quality for Fulham to remain in the PL. Only time will tell if the deadline day signing of Tosin Adarabioyo and Joachim Andersen can paper the cracks at the back. If they can keep Ruben Loftus-Cheek fit then they have a player capable of taking on defences and providing Mitrovic with some able support upfront.
Leeds United – 8/10
With the exception of Cuisance, Bielsa has signed players that will fit right into Leed’s style of play and challenge for a top 10 finish. Quality signings like Rodrigo, Koch, Llorente, Raphinha and Harrison will help Leeds build on their strong start.
Leicester City – 6/10
After losing out their spot in the top four due to poor form in Project restart, the Foxes have addressed a few problem areas by adding great quality in Castagne, Under and Fofana. Not replacing Chilwell with a natural left back might come to haunt them in the long run.
Liverpool – 9/10
The defending champions already possessed a fantastic squad but the astute acquisitions of Tsimikas, Thiago and Jota means that it will be difficult to displace them from their perch.
Manchester City – 6/10
Despite spending $163 million dollars in securing the services of Nathan Ake, Ferran Torres, Ruben Dias, City will not be happy as they were thwarted in their attempts to sign their primary target i.e. Koulibaly. City also look a little light upfront with the ageing Aguero and injury prone Jesus.
Manchester United – 4/10
A poor transfer window with Woodward dillydallying and not addressing problem positions. Apart from securing the services of Donny van de Beek early, United waited to sign a few talented youngsters, a left back in Alex Telles and a 33 year old Edison Cavani for free on Deadline day. A truly uninspiring window at best when they should have looked to closed the gap on Liverpool and City like Chelsea have.
Newcastle United – 8/10
Bournemouth’s Fraser-Wilson combo swapped the south shore for the Toon and might end up being the hero’s they need than the hero’s they were promised with the rumoured Saudi takeover. Jeff Hendrick on a free and Jamal Lewis are quality signings and should help propel Steve Bruce’s team into the top 10.
Sheffield United – 3/10
Chris Wilder has invested in youth and will be hoping Ramsdale , Ampadu (loan) and Brewster can repay his faith at both ends of the field. They lack a proper creative midfielder and a seasoned Premier League striker and might succumb to the second season syndrome.
Southampton – 6/10
Ralph Hasenhutl has quietly had a good transfer window by adding talented prospects like Salisu, Walker-Peters, Diallo and the experienced Theo Walcott (loan). Since Project Restart they have played some wonderful football and these additions should fit right into their fluid, attacking system.
Tottenham – 9/10
Mou Mama has gotten Daniel Levy to loosen his purse strings and add quality to his exciting Spurs squad. Reguilon, Vinicius, Doherty, Hojbjerg, and the return of Bale might be the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that help Spurs win a much awaited trophy. Maybe, just maybe, Mou Mama is “the happy one”.
West Brom – 2/10
After successful loan spells, Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira are the only noteworthy signings made by Bilic to add to a bang average squad. Adding the experience of Ivanovic won’t really help them grind out results in the PL.
West Ham – 4/10
While Coufal and Soucek are good additions, the Hammers did well in getting rid of high wage earners like Wilshere and Anderson who just weren’t producing enough on the pitch. They lose a rating point for selling a great young prospect in Diangana and strengthening a direct rival.
Wolves – 5/10
This was a weird window for Nuno as he lost the quality and PL experience of Doherty and Jota and replaced them with Nelson Semedo and Fabio Silva. Marcal and Hoever will strengthen their defence but won’t help them take the next step with their over reliance on goals from Raul Jimenez.
From the Leagues of Yonder…..
Luis Suarez: Barcelona to Atletico Madrid on a free ( was not free. Transfer fee was 5.5 million euros)
Alvaro Morata: Atletico Madrid to Juventus on loan with $50M option to buy (Here we can mention the only real success story here is his agent who makes loads of money in every transaction)
Sandro Tonali: Brescia to AC Milan on loan with $41M option to buy
Victor Osimhen: Lille to Napoli for $82.4M
Arthur Melo: Barcelona to Juventus for $80.8M (part of Pjanic deal)
Miralem Pjanic: Juventus to Barcelona for $67.3M (part of Melo deal)
Douglas Costa: Juventus to Bayern Munich on loan
Federico Chiesa: Fiorentina to Juventus on loan with $47M option to buy
Marc Roca: Espanyol to Bayern Munich for $17.5M
Sergino Dest: Ajax to Barcelona for $24M
Leroy Sane: Man City to Bayern Munich for $55M
Jonathan David: Gent to Lille for $35.2M
Jude Bellingham: Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund for $26.3M
Achraf Hakimi: Real Madrid to Inter Milan for $45M
Chris Smalling: Man United to AS Roma for $17.6M
Bawa Says 