Goal.com Fanview Special: Premier League supporters rate their clubs' transfer window dealings

Who ruled the market or grabbed the best bargains this summer?

2 Sep 2010 13:05:00

More On :  Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Liverpool, Manchester City FC, Manchester United
Transfer special

Arsenal Fanview | David Oudot of The Gooner

Chelsea Fanview | Peter Sampson, CFCnet

Liverpool Fanview | Gareth Roberts editor of Well Red, Liverpool fanzine

Manchester City Fanview | Ric Turner from Bluemoon

Manchester United Fanview | Ryan Hoolihan, Manchester United supporter

Tottenham Fanview | Mark Tilley of 'The Boys From White Hart Lane'


With the summer transfer window finally having drawn to a close, Goal.com UK decided to put the same questions to fans of various Premier League clubs, to size up the general mood of their side's off-season proceedings.

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How do you think your club fared during the summer transfer window?

Arsenal
Up and down, really. With Gallas, Silvestre, Campbell and Senderos all departing we were in desperate need of recruiting at least two centre halves which we have done, in Koscielny and Squillaci. 

However, the manager's willingness to use our best defensive midfielder (Alex Song) as an auxiliary defender despite us having absolutely no cover for him is worrying. Chamakh in for Eduardo is a straight swap, although hopefully the Moroccan with the ridiculous haircut is more physically well-prepared for the rigours of the Premier League than the now-departed Crozilian. 

My only concern is whether the defenders we have signed are up to the task of the Premier League - and by that I mean 'How will they fare against Drogba and Torres'. Koscielny is slight, and was easily barged off the ball by El-Hadji Diouf in the build-up to Blackburn's equaliser, and Squillaci couldn't get in the French team during the World Cup, with them preferring to play an out-of-position Eric Abidal in the middle of defence.

Chelsea
Fairly conservatively, to be fair. Despite Bruce Buck saying towards the end of last season that Mr Abramovich would make money available if a “stellar purchase” was available, Ancelotti seems to have kept a sensible head on things. Transfer windows always seem to be a non-event for fans of Chelsea, now after the early Mourinho years when Mr Abramovich splashed the cash.

Liverpool
Not particularly well in all honesty. Liverpool have been crying out for a striker for two years. To be racing around at the last minute to sign Carlton Cole was a bit of a joke. Saying that, think we've dodged a bullet not signing him. Would have preferred to see Peter Crouch return.

Manchester City
We did very well during the summer transfer window, landing most, if not all, of our top targets.

Manchester United
I would have liked to have seen a few more players come in and maybe one big name signing but overall I would say I was fairly happy with who we brought in. We have brought some good young players in and Hernandez in particular looks like he has the potential to be world class.

Signing him before the World Cup was an excellent bit of business, had we waited after the World Cup to sign him, there would have been much more interest in him and his value would have been massively increased.

Tottenham
It certainly wasn't the summer of transfer activity that many Spurs fans expected. There were the usual rumours but very little genuine deals.

Following qualification for the Champions League, a lot of fans were expecting a couple of big name acquisitions to add to the already impressive squad Redknapp had assembled but they failed to materialise.

Even after the qualifier was successfully negotiated, the big names failed to arrive. The possible last minute signing of Rafael van der Vaart does go a long way to making up for that but most fans wanted a proven, quality striker and overall I think it was a slightly disappointing window.

Which new signing excites you the most?

Arsenal
Purely because it is impossible to get excited about centre halves, it is Chamakh by default. In his appearances so far he has shown good touch, a willingness to get stuck in, and doesn't get bullied off the ball, so there is promise there. My hunch is that he will not be a 20 goal-a-season man, but will be focused on bringing the three players playing behind him into the game for them to score.

Chelsea
Ramires looks to be a fantastic midfielder. He’s still young and anyone touted to be the future of Brazilian football must be good.

Liverpool
We all know what Joe Cole can do and if his talent can be harnessed by Roy Hodgson then obviously we will have a player on our hands. But simply because he is so highly rated, while at the same time being somewhat of an unknown quantity (to me at least), I'm going to say Raul Meireles. Hopefully he can add some spark to midfield because we've already seen enough of Lucas-Poulsen to know that doesn't work.

Manchester City
Mario Balotelli. He's a prodigous talent, and could be a great asset to the team.

Manchester United
Javier Hernandez. He looked a real class act at the World Cup and didn't seem to be phased by the occasion, which is important at a team as big as United. He has fantastic pace and is a very cool finisher. He has already become a fans' favourite at Old Trafford. I think he could play a big part in United's title challenge this year and had we had a player of his ability last year I think we would have finished above Chelsea.

Tottenham
The Van der Vaart deal is a lovely bit of business from Redknapp and Levy. The reported fee is just £8 million, which, in today's market, is an absolute steal for a player of his quality and reputation. His arrival may cause a bit of squad congestion in the middle of the park but it's a signing that Spurs fans have been crying out for all summer.

Also worth keeping a keen eye on Sandro, the exciting young Brazilian midfielder, who has just arrived at the club having won the domestic league title in his home country.

Are you disappointed to see any players go?

Arsenal
Eduardo leaving made everyone upset, purely because he was a lovely guy with all the potential in the world and whose world was broken in a heartbeat at St Andrew's by some Championship-belonging troglodyte. Seeing Alan Hansen and Shearer laughing and cajoling their way through Joey Barton getting mullered by Wolves on Saturday, less than two months after they called for the Dutch squad to be banned for life for their despicable acts in the World Cup final, shows what a mess football is in in this country.

Chelsea
Most of them to be honest. Any player that was involved in a team-winning trophies does have a certain amount of emotional attachment. Ballack and Belletti both provided important goals and performances. Most Chelsea fans are disappointed to see Joe Cole depart to “a smallish club somewhere north of the M25”. I’m convinced he wanted to stay and that he is not as happy where he is as he was at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool
It's always a shame to see young players leave the club as there's nothing better than seeing a youngster emerge from the ranks to prove they can cut it at the top level. Sadly they've been few and far between at Liverpool in recent years. We can only hope that the decision to release players like Lauri Dalla Valle doesn't come back to haunt us.

Manchester City
It was a shame to Craig Bellamy go after he performed so well last year, but I understand the reasoning why he was allowed to leave.

Manchester United
I was slightly disappointed to see Ben Foster leave. I always thought he had potential to be United's No.1 but he seemed to be lacking in confidence and was making too many mistakes when he was given his chances.

Tottenham
We haven't really let any high profile players go, to be honest. A lot have moved out on loan to lower league clubs but these are young players with bags of potential and in desperate need of first team football to aid their development. Selling Adel Taraabt was a tiny bit disappointing but more for the fact that he never materialised into the player he should have.


Are you glad to see the back of any players?

Arsenal
Gallas and Silvestre can go with my blessing. By all accounts, the only people they ever spoke to in the dressing room was each other, so it's hardly a disaster for team morale, and Gallas never really wanted to play for anyone other than William Gallas FC anyway. How Silvestre ever played for Arsenal is an utter mystery for me, and he will go down in history as the Stefan Malz of this generation.

Chelsea
I wouldn’t say that I was particularly pleased to see the back of anyone, but I don’t think that Deco will be missed by the fans. He didn’t perform to the best of his ability and I think that he only joined the club because of Scolari.

Liverpool
Well Javier Mascherano had to go. He's a top player of his type, there's no disputing that, but the constant whinging was becoming tiresome.

Manchester City
Not really.

Manchester United
Zoran Tosic. He wasn't really given much of a chance, and I can only assume that he wasn't showing much promise in training.

Tottenham
As very few first team players left, there aren't really any to be glad to see the back of. A lot of fans would have been happy to see Jenas and Keane leave - Jenas for his complete lack of progression in the five years he's been here and Keane for his inability to commit to the team cause. There's definitely the feeling that the sale of these two, less effective players may have facilitated the signing of a more pricy but worthwhile purchase or two.

Did your club miss out on some of its top targets - if so why?

Arsenal
We needed a new goalkeeper more than anything. The manager suggested this in May, and this was confirmed by the chairman later that month when he confirmed we had bid for Mark Schwarzer.  Quite how, three and a half months later we are left with the Spanish Waiter, Flapianski and two children, with no new goalkeeper, is beyond me. 

By not signing a proper goalkeeper, the manager has already surrendered the league to Chelsea, as no team will ever win the top honours with a ropey goalkeeper. 

I have absolutely no problem with losing a game or a championship to a better team by any stretch - good luck to them.  But if you don't give yourself the best chance of beating them then it is unforgivable and I am fuming at our reluctance and epic failure in signing a new custodian to stand betwixt our sticks.

Chelsea
There was a time when I thought Brazilian youngster, Neymar was on his way to Chelsea. I get the impression that Neymar himself wasn’t ready for the move. Simply because he is still a teenager and wanted to grow a little both physically and mentally. I’m sure he’ll be with Chelsea within the next couple of years.

Liverpool
The one that gets me is Crouch. The word was he wanted to come back and that Roy Hodgson was ready to give him that chance. It all came down to money - Liverpool haven't got any. The club is weighed down by the debt-ridden reign of Gillett and Hicks and it looks like we have to sell to buy these days - hence the late scramble for players once Mascherano left.

Manchester City
Edin Dzeko was rumoured to be a target, but City were unwilling to meet Wolfsburg's valuation.

Manchester United
It's hard to say as we were linked with a different player every day! The one player I really would have liked to have seen us bring in was Wesley Sneijder. He was fantastic at Inter Milan last season and of all the players we were linked with I think he was the one who would have had the best impact on the team.

Mesut Oezil was another player that we were strongly linked with. He is is far from the finished article but showed moments of brilliance and would have been a great replacement for Paul Scholes.

Tottenham
We certainly missed out on a few players, if you believe all the rumours. Key to the list of priorities was a new striker. Names such as Luis Fabiano, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan, Guiseppe Rossi, etc were all mentioned but none arrived. We were either priced out of a move or they decided to stay put. Either way, it's slightly disappointing not to have picked up at least one as at times our attack can look a little toothless.

Do you feel your team is stronger today than it was in May?

Arsenal
We are exactly the same, we have not improved, our captain is frustrated and looking at Catalonian property prospectuses, and the kids are all a year older.

Chelsea
Yes, simply because Michael Essien is back and fit.

Liverpool
Not really. Most have the signings have been like for like, or we've traded for cheaper alternatives. There's going to be pressure on Meireles from day one to peform with Mascherano gone while Cole has yet to prove he can offer more than Benayoun. Plenty of time yet though on that score.

Manchester City
Significantly. Mancini has addressed the main problems areas in the squad, namely full back and midfield.

Manchester United
I think so. Although last season was disappointing massive changes were never needed. We were too reliant on Rooney last season, and this proved costly when he was out injured. Hernandez is exactly the sort of player that we needed last season.

The season may only have just begun but Dimitar Berbatov looks like a different player. If he performs to the levels that he is capable then he will be like having a new signing.

The return of Anderson and hopefully Owen Hargreaves will also be a major boost to the midfield.

Tottenham
It's certainly a stronger squad than it was last season. As much as the fans may not like it, the signing of William Gallas will certainly provide an experienced head in defence, which, as the first half performance against Young Boys proved, is much needed.

Van der Vaart will provide added quality and experience in the middle, which will be vital for those Champions League games. And the likes of Bale and Modric are ever improving, meaning they're better players than they were in May.

Do you think your club will try and sign anyone in January - if yes, which positions do you think will be a priority?

Arsenal
After Almunia has let three in through his legs against Chelsea, Fabianski conspires to break his leg whilst tangled in a goal net, and we're 20 points off the top of the table, Wenger will then go back in for Schwarzer who will turn the move down because we will be below Fulham in the table. I jest of course, but I imagine he will go in for a goalkeeper... but it will be too late and the league will have slipped through our fingers for another year.

Chelsea
January tends to be less productive than the summer transfer window. Most of the players that would enhance a side such as Chelsea has will be cup tied for the Champions League. This means that the player isn’t worth as much to the club as the agents say. If Chelsea were to purchase it would be a goalkeeper.

Liverpool
Again it will come down to money. By that time Liverpool could be owned by the banks if new owners don't emerge. If anything Liverpool could be selling players come January.

Manchester City
I certainly wouldn't rule it out, and I think a striker would be a priority if we did make a move.

Manchester United
I don't think we will make any major signings but I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of young players brought in. Steven Defour is a player that we have been linked with on numerous ocassions and it will be interesting to see if anything happens with that.

I think a new goalkeeper should be our top priority. Van der Sar is still a world class goalkeeper but he seems to pick up injuries during the season and I dont have much confidence in Tomasz Kuszczak.

Tottenham
I think Harry will make a move for players in January, depending on the team's performance in the season at that point. If we're still in the Champions League by then he'll want extra quality. If we're floundering in mid table, then you can bet he'll be working on getting some added firepower to shoot us back to the top five. The striking area looks to be the one that may need strenghtening. Keane cuts a disillusioned figure and Pavlyuchenko blows hot and cold.

Which Premier League club do you think did the smartest business in the transfer window and why?

Arsenal
Chelsea did the smart business, replacing the money-hungry Joe Cole with the far more suitable Yossi Benayoun and most importantly buying Ramires which will allow the underrated and scarily awesome Mickael Essien the freedom of Stamford Bridge. As a result they will win the league by the end of April.

Chelsea
Redknapp pulled off the deal of the summer with the signing of Rafael van der Vaart for £8m. Ironically enough just days after swearing at a TV reporter after it was mentioned that he was a “wheeler and a dealer”. I’m guessing that it was also a case of being in the right place at the right time after van de Vaart’s move to another club collapsed. Whether or not Tottenham and the Premier League will suit a player that wanted to move to Man Utd just two weeks ago still needs to be seen. Another Robiniho perhaps?

Liverpool
Man City obviously did the most business, whether it was the smartest is an entirely different matter... I'll go for Birmingham, I think Alex McLeish has been quite shrewd. Ben Foster could still become a great goalkeeper, Alexander Hleb should be eager to impress and Nikola Zigic might win a header or two at 6ft 8ins.

Manchester City
Stoke City. Showed ambition at a time when other clubs were cautious in the transfer market.

Manchester United
Aston Villa without a doubt! Getting Stephen Ireland and £16m for James Milner was a fantastic deal. Milner is a talented player but is he really better £16m better than Ireland? If Ireland can discover his form of two season ago I would question if he was a better player at all.

Tottenham
I think Stoke's deadline day signings were very impressive. To get Gudjohnsen is a great deal for them - I, along with many others, would have been happy to have him back at us for another campaign. Other than that, Birmingham did some tidy business, bringing in Hleb and Jiranek. Both clubs have strengthened in order to consolidate their Premier League staus.

Man City have signed a few decent players but at the enormous prices they stumped up, you can hardly call it 'smart business'.

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Manchester United v Liverpool, Everton v Chelsea - Premier League build-up LIVE!
With George Ankers

Follow all the build-up to another weekend of Premier League action, and keep up to speed with the continued fallout from Fabio Capello's resignation as England manager. Tweet us @GoalUK!

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Well, you lovely lot, I'm afraid that's that for our LIVE! build-up this afternoon - you've all been marvellous as usual, so thank you for all your contributions.

But that doesn't mean that the debate stops here! I'll still be manning the @GoalUK Twitter feed as we carry on discussing the burning football issues, and of course Goal.com will have all the Premier League news as it breaks through the evening. You can also tweet me at @channeldelibird. That aside, though, we'll see you tomorrow to find out how it all plays out!
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*Don't.
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