Who had the best transfer window?

ChaddyP

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We brought Chalobah into the squad, and for his sake, I kinda wanted the Kounde deal to collapse. I couldn't see where the minutes would come for him if we added Kounde to the team, so I'm glad that deal didn't happen.
Fair enough
 

Josep Dowling

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On paper it looks like us but we seriously needed a better DM. Sancho is already playing on the left so that hasn’t sorted out the RW. I also sense Ronaldo starting will drop Bruno deeper so he will be less effective. Plus the FK and penalty debate which Bruno should be taking both with his current record. Ronaldo’s recent FK record especially is terrible.

In all 3 top class players but did they actually fit into our current system?

For what they needed I’d probably give it Chelsea and think they will win the league.
 

LawCharltonBest

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It’s us and it’s not even close

No signing is guaranteed to be a success, but if city, Liverpool or Chelsea signed Varane, Sancho and Ronaldo (or even just one of them) we would be having meltdowns on here.

Saul seems decent but Kante and Jorginho are better anyway. I wouldn’t have had Lukaku back for free. Grealish is a good signing but they needed more to take them from the ridiculous level of a team that wins every domestic match to the more ridiculous level of a team that wins every European match too.
 

slored1

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We signed the best players, but Chelsea adressed their biggest needs. We still need a CM more than we needed Ronaldo.
 

Redfrog

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Chelsea by miles? Why do you guys always have this grass is greener approach? We signed Sancho, Ronaldo and Varane. I'm lost. It's not even a debate. The CM bit being signed is a minus but cmon we signed a better winger than any Chelsea have, a better striker than Chelsea have and a better CB than Chelsea have, we had the best window comfortably. Now Chelsea has a solid squad and are incredibly well coached, their midfield is better(defensively) but trust me, once we are playing at full tilt in the coming months and everyone has beded in, our team will be blowing teams away for fun. We have the second best player in the world, to add to an incredibly talented squad, cmon guys you're acting like because we didn't sign Neves or Rice we are weak.
Baffling isn’t it ?
Chelsea signed the mighty Lukaku, who was unwanted here by almost everyone and an Atletico reject nobody wanted to buy for cash but they had the best window ever.

While we bought one of the best CB on his prime, fecking Cristiano Ronaldo and one of the best attacking young player in the world…

If it was a reverse situation, people will be crying as Chelsea are buying world class talents and we are not attractive enough :lol: .
You can’t make it up !
 

Redfrog

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On paper it looks like us but we seriously needed a better DM. Sancho is already playing on the left so that hasn’t sorted out the RW. I also sense Ronaldo starting will drop Bruno deeper so he will be less effective. Plus the FK and penalty debate which Bruno should be taking both with his current record. Ronaldo’s recent FK record especially is terrible.

In all 3 top class players but did they actually fit into our current system?

For what they needed I’d probably give it Chelsea and think they will win the league.
We needed a lot of things before this window, so if we miss now only a DM that’s progress and a very good job.

When you look back when Ole came in, it’s night and day.
 

11101

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Us. Three world class players in 3 positions everybody agreed needed fixing. The only one missing is midfield, but it's not like we don't have very good players there already. They're just not superstars.

Chelsea have had a decent window. Niguez is decent and Lukaku will do just enough to keep them happy, whilst also ensuring they never quite reach the top.
 

roonster09

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In PL we had the best transfer window, at least on paper. How that works on the pitch depends on coaching staff.

In Europe, PSG by far. So many great players in one window was just amazing.

In PL, we had the best window and then few teams have good ones

Chelsea - Lukaku, Saul

Villa - Bailey, Buendia, Ings, Young.

Palace - Edouard, Guehi, Andersen, Gallagher (on loan)

Leicester - Daka, Soumare, Bertrand, Vestergaard, Lookman

Spurs - Gil, Romero, Gollini, Emerson
 

ivaldo

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And that will come back to bite us in the arse as games are mostly won in midfield.

Chelsea addressed all the holes in their squad, CB still could have been icing on the cake for them but they don't have any weakness anymore whereas we are stuck with 4231 and McFred for another year.
They signed one starter and a back up midfielder on loan. We brought in two world class talents in areas we needed reinforcing, and a potential world class winger, who'll add much needed creativity. It's not even a debate who had the better window out of the two. It's strange to use what a team already has as an indication of how good a window they've had. If we had signed Lukaku and Saul and Chelsea brought in Varane, Sancho and Ronaldo, it would he considered a disaster.
 

mitchmouse

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I feel we missed a trick by not getting Niguez on loan - good piece of business from Chelsea. People here saying Varane signing was "out of the blue"... really? He's been talked about for ages, and lots of us here have been saying for some time to check how happy Ronaldo was at Juve.

Yes, we've strengthened but, as we all now but Ole seems to forget, we are still light in midfield. And why the hell did he (if reports are true) block Donny's loan to Everton given that he never picks him?
 

roonster09

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On paper it looks like us but we seriously needed a better DM. Sancho is already playing on the left so that hasn’t sorted out the RW. I also sense Ronaldo starting will drop Bruno deeper so he will be less effective. Plus the FK and penalty debate which Bruno should be taking both with his current record. Ronaldo’s recent FK record especially is terrible.

In all 3 top class players but did they actually fit into our current system?

For what they needed I’d probably give it Chelsea and think they will win the league.
Why not? Before the window started, most said CB is our weak position and we signed awesome CB.

We are crying for right winger for 6-8 years, someone who can create and we signed one of the best winger in Europe.
 

DWelbz19

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I quite like Spurs’ dealings. It’s a whole lot better now that they’ve kept Kane too. Before the season I expected them to be in a battle for 6th, but I think they’ll keep pace on the outside with the top 4, quite similar to Leicester
 

sullydnl

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Us. We addressed two of our long-term problem positions with high quality and (relatively) good value deals and snatched a 20+ PL goal striker from the clutches of one our nearest rivals. We also got an excellent fee for Dan James, who we effectively replaced with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Obviously we didn't get a CM but City didn't get the striker they desperately needed, Chelsea didn't get the CB they were pursuing, Liverpool did relatively little strengthening at all, etc. All teams have their weaknesses and places they wish they'd improved.
 

Bondi77

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Arguably the best player ever,
Arguably the best defender in the world,
One of the top young talents in the world,

I think we might have just about the best window with Daylight coming a close second.
 

Ish

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United had the best transfer window since they got 3 great players while Chelsea only got 2. The difference is that United didn't address the problem in midfield while Chelsea don't really have a position that lacks quality in their squad anymore.
Personally, I'd say CB is a position weaker than midfield for them.
 

theklr

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Think how we improved two glaring weaknesses with world class players (+a bonus serial winner) makes it us.

Chelsea did only fix one , although they did had a better starting point.
 

mitchmouse

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Us. We addressed two of our long-term problem positions with high quality and (relatively) good value deals and snatched a 20+ PL goal striker from the clutches of one our nearest rivals.

Obviously we didn't get a CM but City didn't get the striker they desperately needed, Chelsea didn't get the CB they were pursuing, Liverpool did relatively little strengthening at all, etc. All teams have their weaknesses and places they wish they'd improved.
I don't think City "desperately" needed anyone, not sure Chelsea will regret not getting Kounde too much in the long run. Liverpool is the odd one: SAF always knew that you strengthen when on top and I think Liverpool would have been much closer to retaining their title last season i not for the injuries to very important players (imagine where we'd have been if we'd lost Bruno early on...)
 

Deery

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It’s obviously United with Ronaldo and Varane, still jury out on Sancho.

I think Leicester have had a good window too..
 

sullydnl

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I don't think City "desperately" needed anyone, not sure Chelsea will regret not getting Kounde too much in the long run. Liverpool is the odd one: SAF always knew that you strengthen when on top and I think Liverpool would have been much closer to retaining their title last season i not for the injuries to very important players (imagine where we'd have been if we'd lost Bruno early on...)
I think City very desperately need a CF. Managing to win the league last season with someone like Gundogan as their top goalscorer on a measly 13 goals was a complete outlier compared to previous league winning sides and not something they're likely to do two years back to back, especially in the face of this excellent Chelsea side. And even aside from goals, the lack of a #9 tells on the way they play. It's a very big weakness for them to overcome (again). With possibly little time left with Guardiola at the club, they need more if they want to win that elusive CL too.

Looking through City forums, they're also complaining about a second key weakness not being addressed in DM with Fernandinho another year older and Rodri's lack of mobility being an issue. And another smaller issue at LB also unaddressed.

We focus so much on our own our team we sometimes ignore the weaknesses of others. If we were going into this season depending on the likes of Ferran Torres for goals as much as they are then we'd be very vocal in our displeasure.
 

harms

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I think City downgraded personally, Do not think Grealish is anything better then what they have, infact, Foden on the left over Grealish IMO
Surely getting an additional player without selling his supposedly better alternative is, at the very worst, staying at the same level? How is that downgrading? If Foden is better, he would play ahead of Grealish.
 

GBBQ

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On paper, definitely United. Not just the quality of player brought in but the fees and payment structure suggests a better approach to transfers is in place.

We could probably have done more with outgoings but in the short term I'm definitely glad we kept Pogba and Cavani and its no load to bear keeping Martial and Lingard in the squad once they know they have to fight for their place.
 

Matt851

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Baffling isn’t it ?
Chelsea signed the mighty Lukaku, who was unwanted here by almost everyone and an Atletico reject nobody wanted to buy for cash but they had the best window ever.

While we bought one of the best CB on his prime, fecking Cristiano Ronaldo and one of the best attacking young player in the world…

If it was a reverse situation, people will be crying as Chelsea are buying world class talents and we are not attractive enough :lol: .
You can’t make it up !
Its because we managed not to strengthen the position in most need of strengthening

I dont see us even competing for the league this season which would mean we dont actually make any progress. We are just permanently a work in progress
 

harms

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In England it's us followed by Chelsea. Signing a top defensive midfielder would've made this window literally perfect, but you can't really complain with what we've got (even though the rational side of me wishes that we would've prioritised DM over Cristiano). Selling Lingard/Jones/Pereira for decent money would've been nice as well, but it was a hard task to accomplish.

In Europe PSG has the biggest potential for improvement with Messi, Hakimi, Ramos & Wijnaldum as well as keeping Mbappé even though it doesn't make any sense from a financial perspective.
 

Robbie Boy

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It's us and I honestly don't even think it's close.

How was Chelsea's window that impressive? Their biggest signing was Lukaku who 90% of the Caf don't rate, and who was deemed not good enough for us. We all know Lukaku really isn't all that, and he has multiple deficiencies to his game. Yes, we could have signed a DM, but we didn't and such is life.
 

choccy77

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Chelsea had a great window, as they added to a Champs League winning side to make them stronger in all areas.

United on the other hand were building a first 11 & failed to add the strength & quality in all areas.

Our failure to land a solid DM will cost us this season & the pursuit of a RWB was a waste of time, with a massive whole in Midfield so visible to everyone.
 

choccy77

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It's us and I honestly don't even think it's close.

How was Chelsea's window that impressive? Their biggest signing was Lukaku who 90% of the Caf don't rate, and who was deemed not good enough for us. We all know Lukaku really isn't all that, and he has multiple deficiencies to his game. Yes, we could have signed a DM, but we didn't and such is life.
Chelsea have a solid first 11 & squad depth now.

United still are lacking & still don't have any experience of winning trophies as a squad.

Chelsea have the advantage, but we did sign the better players.
 

Deery

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Chelsea had a great window, as they added to a Champs League winning side to make them stronger in all areas.

United on the other hand were building a first 11 & failed to add the strength & quality in all areas.

Our failure to land a solid DM will cost us this season & the pursuit of a RWB was a waste of time, with a massive whole in Midfield so visible to everyone.
I think it’s over exaggerated the midfield problem yes Matic should have been replaced two seasons ago but when McTominay is back we’ll look stronger again and there’s always January..
 

Robbie Boy

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Chelsea have a solid first 11 & squad depth now.

United still are lacking & still don't have any experience of winning trophies as a squad.

Chelsea have the advantage, but we did sign the better players.
I respectfully disagree and would take our starting eleven over theirs any day. I do agree they have better squad depth, though.

I think the midfield issue is being overblown tbh, and we can't wait for this mythical 'perfect team'. Our midfield is functional, and that's all it needs to be if we get our front four firing. The defence is class, so no issues there. Liverpool had a dominant spell with the likes of Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum playing CM. It is an area that needs to be addressed for sure, but I still think we had far and away the best window.
 

jackal&hyde

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United by far. Fixed the 2 main issues with exceptional players and added the much cried out for (from the pundits) clinical CF. When McTom comes back we will forget about the mid being weak.
 

justsomebloke

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As the title says. Some contenders:

Man Utd:
You can't look past three world class players in one window.
On the downside, hardly sold anyone and didn't add a crucial piece in midfield.

Aston Villa:
Lost Grealish, but invested wisely. Danny Ings is a very capable midtable striker. Buendia and Leon Bailey are solid as well. Plus they added Ashley Young for some experience and Tuanzebe as an option from the bench.

Leicester City:
Added some useful players in Vestergaard, Bertrand and Soumare.
More importantly, they didn't lose Ndidi, Tielemans or any of their other important players.

Chelsea:
Two big additions and a healthy window on the selling side.

Lots of other teams had a solid window, including Spurs, West Ham and Leeds.

Arsenal is the strangest one. Spend more than anyone else, yet they don't seem to have really improved that much.

Our other title rivals had just the one big transfer.
I'm not a fan of Aston Villa's window, despite all the incomings. When all's said and done, they lost the only player they had who could, occasionally, elevate them to top team quality, and replaced him with a bunch of players who, good though most of hem are, are more the sort you expect on a good mid-table side. I think their ceiling descended a bit, and that they're going to have to remake their identity as a different sort of team than they were with Grealish on it. There was always a sense that on any given night, they might go toe to toe with anyone because of the magic ingredient he added. No more.

And I really do not get Arsenal's transfer strategy. White and Ødegaard might be integral pieces on a future revived top 4 Arsenal, and Lokonga shows promise. But otherwise there's a lot of money sunk into players you can't reasonably expect that from. A team that already has a bloated squad sinking money into a large number of mid-price acquisitions doesn't look like a good match.

Uniteds window was obviously very, very good. Though I remain skeptical about the wisdom of signing CR.
 

justsomebloke

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We brought Chalobah into the squad, and for his sake, I kinda wanted the Kounde deal to collapse. I couldn't see where the minutes would come for him if we added Kounde to the team, so I'm glad that deal didn't happen.
I suppose his versatility played into it (being able to play on RB as well)?

Still, it's hard to argue Chelsea is in need of more depth at CB (or anywhere, really). I don't really understand why you need Saul either.

IMO, you have the best squad depth among the top 4 teams, which you'd think ought to mean that signings should focus on first XI upgrades. But I suppose Tuchel has quite specific things and areas of need in mind with the purchases.
 

UpWithRivers

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If you base it only on the quality of signings then United. Varane, Ronaldo and Sancho are better players at least on paper than Lukaku and Saul. But we had 99 problems and Chelsea/City had one or two. City still need a striker and Chelsea still need a CB. But thats about it. We fixed some problems CB, RW but are still left with 88 problems.

Goalkeeper Situation - Who is the main keeper. Can you keep them both happy
Pogba
Midfield
Too much deadwood - can we keep them all happy
And on and on
 

Ikon

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I think it’s over exaggerated the midfield problem ..
The previous two games against Saints & Wolves would tend to highlight the MF problem I would have thought...?

Cannot gripe at the three stars bought in, and looking closer at how those deals were structured over a longer period, I think we only actually paid about £12m upfront for Sancho, and similar amounts for both Varane & Ronaldo, with instalments spread over the next few years..?
If that's true, and we have only had to cough up an initial £40m to bring in those three, then that's stunning business, especially when the Dan James fee is offset.

I am concerned that we didn't address the MF though, not just for this season, but looking ahead for the future, next Summer could be madness.... :lol:
 

Smores

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Christ our fans are never happy. 3 top talents is the best window we've had in recent memory.

Chelsea have only become this complete team in people's minds post their new manager and a cup win. No one thought that was a complete team prior.
 

Deery

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The previous two games against Saints & Wolves would tend to highlight the MF problem I would have thought...?
It’s not ideal but it’s only came about through an injury so when that’s cleared up we should hope to be back to full strength.

Pogba was playing up front too so maybe a game or two to find his feet in midfield would help also and DVDB being crap has thrown a spanner in the works when you think about it he should have been the cover we are now looking for..
 

sincher

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It's us and I honestly don't even think it's close.

How was Chelsea's window that impressive? Their biggest signing was Lukaku who 90% of the Caf don't rate, and who was deemed not good enough for us. We all know Lukaku really isn't all that, and he has multiple deficiencies to his game. Yes, we could have signed a DM, but we didn't and such is life.
The reason they had a good window is that they spent £3.1m net and strengthened.