Summer Transfer Window - The Verdict.

[brontebilly]

But as olaftab says, that's for the accountants. Maybe Lerner should've employed one.

And we're a world away from doing what MON did. We've bought a Frenchman from Germany, a Spaniard from Spain, an Italian from Turkey, a Belgian from Leicester, and loaned another Frenchman from Spain. That's a well cast net.

We have handed over a lot of control to Emery though, not to near the same extent as under MON, but the worry would be there.

[pablo_picasso]

I think the incomings have been great.

Nearly all improve the first team match day squad, & the one that could be argued against is a backup to our injured player who can also give us a defensive option at LB.

The business that has been done has been fantastic. Getting Torres for around £30m, Diaby for around £40m, Tielemans for fuck all, is just wonderful work by the transfers team. As is the loan deal for Zaniolo. We have protected ourselves, while making a compromise to keep Galatasaray sweet. Brilliant work.

The outgoings have not been so great. I don't agree with the youth player policy this summer & think that by letting A. Ramsey, Philogene-Bidace & Archer go leaves us light for the long season ahead with cups, europe & 5 subs.

I don't buy the "sell to keep a main player" PR guff given to Gregg Evans anymore than I buy the "anniversary crest" bullshit retroactively fed by the club to shut down some fans raising questions. But if that was the case, sell Digne. Or Bailey. Or Coutinho. Those are fringe players on high wages. Save money there...

Those three young players departing could have given our squad some depth. This part of our summer dealings has bothered me a lot.

But I have said all I need to say on that matter elsewhere, unless someone raises a point that I see honest discussion in.

That being said, the incomings have been great quality & great business.

[SamTheMouse]

This has been most exciting transfer window in as long as I can remember. Every one of the new recruits is a player of genuine quality.

So overall, delighted, although a medium or long term injury to either Martinez or Watkins will probably fuck our chances of finishing in the top six.

[Villan82]

9/10

We have kept Martinez, Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn and Watkins and have added genuine quality in Diaby, Tielemens, Torres and Zaniolo.

We have also cleared out some deadwood like Davis, Nakamba, and Wesley. Possibly Coutinho will also leave.

We have a manager with a fluid tactical style. Right backs and left backs aren't necessarily left backs and right backs. They can be almost wingers or they can be tucked in as an extra centre back and the system still works. In that context we have tonnes of options.

As for selling youth players and inserting buy-back clauses - this is smart business. It saves us from selling an established player and it also means we have first refusal on bringing the player back if they prove they can cut it at this level. A club happy with mid-table can gamble on blooding youth players with no premier-league experience. A club aiming for the top 5-6 can't really guarantee young players that they can give them a run of 8-9 games to test themselves. Do you bench Watkins and heap all that responsibility of top 5 level finishing on an untested Archer? No is the simple answer. It is simply better for the development of those players that they go somewhere where they can get a run of games at this level.

We have craved success for 20-25 years. We now operate in a way that gives us a better chance of doing just that.

[rooboy316]

While I actually agree with the points made, all this unbridled positivity makes me feel odd. And worried.

[trinityoap]

With the exception of the mysterious failure to upgrade on Olsen, this has been a seriously good window. We have brought in players who not only improve the squad but but also the first team and have experience at a high level. I cannot recall when we have had so much quality coming in. We may not like all that is going on off the field but at last we feel like a club that means serious business.

[Axl Rose]

Good window.

Would have liked an experienced back up striker and the same for the goalkeeping position, but shoganai

[Beard82]

7 or 8 out of 10.

Signed some brilliant players - but I think we’re a little light in a couple of key positions

With archer, ramsey, jpb, coutihno gone or going and Emi injuried for most of the season  - we’re again reliant on Watkins to be fit and in form, and no injuries to key players.  Similar in goal and at right back.  Tomorrow is a a key test - as we got hammered against the one decent team we played (but then I think that was a bit of a freak result)

Ultimately if Unai is happy then I’m fine with it, but I’m going to be nervous any time any of our forward players or emi go down

[Risso]

7 or 8 out of 10.

Signed some brilliant players - but I think we’re a little light in a couple of key positions

With archer, ramsey, jpb, coutihno gone or going and Emi injuried for most of the season  - we’re again reliant on Watkins to be fit and in form, and no injuries to key players.  Similar in goal and at right back.  Tomorrow is a a key test - as we got hammered against the one decent team we played (but then I think that was a bit of a freak result)

Ultimately if Unai is happy then I’m fine with it, but I’m going to be nervous any time any of our forward players or emi go down

More or less exactly my thoughts as well. I think we've made up for the loss of Buendia and Mings, in terms of numbers anyway, but we're still short up front.

[curiousorange]

It was almost excellent but I do think we'll rue not getting a proper striker in. I get frustrated when people ask you to name a striker who we could have got in, because it feels like we're asking that question every window. I would say good strikers don't appear out of nowhere, but Archer has one (and a half) goals already today, and looks an excellent, instinctual finisher.

[Dave]

7 or 8 out of 10.

Signed some brilliant players - but I think we’re a little light in a couple of key positions

With archer, ramsey, jpb, coutihno gone or going and Emi injuried for most of the season  - we’re again reliant on Watkins to be fit and in form, and no injuries to key players.  Similar in goal and at right back.  Tomorrow is a a key test - as we got hammered against the one decent team we played (but then I think that was a bit of a freak result)

Ultimately if Unai is happy then I’m fine with it, but I’m going to be nervous any time any of our forward players or emi go down

More or less exactly my thoughts as well. I think we've made up for the loss of Buendia and Mings, in terms of numbers anyway, but we're still short up front.

Mine too.

[Ian.]

What other teams can cope with their main striker missing out of interest? Obviously other than Man City, who has two top class strikers, well one sat on the bench waiting for their turn?

[Toronto Villa]

I see AEG was released by PSV

[AV84]

What other teams can cope with their main striker missing out of interest? Obviously other than Man City, who has two top class strikers, well one sat on the bench waiting for their turn?

Brentford seem to be doing okay so far.

[pablo_picasso]

It was almost excellent but I do think we'll rue not getting a proper striker in. I get frustrated when people ask you to name a striker who we could have got in, because it feels like we're asking that question every window. I would say good strikers don't appear out of nowhere, but Archer has one (and a half) goals already today, and looks an excellent, instinctual finisher.

Jonathan David.

Right off the top of my head is a striker who has scored 15 goals + in multiple seasons.

That Balogun kid from Arsenal did it last year & was clearly available, as he was sold.

That Beto who moved to Everton is a 6'5" pace monster who scored double figures in multiple seasons & only cost £25. As cover & competition, he would have been more than fine.

Three names that popped into my head instantly.

So the question is easily answered.

Even more so with a little research...