It's getting late in the transfer window, and some of the more drawn-out transfer sagas are finally coming to a close. Here, we'll look at four more transfers in the premier league and look how each one changes the dynamic of his team in this upcoming season.
Calum Chambers, Arsenal
At the start of the summer Calum Chambers was far from the most likely player to join Arsenal from Southampton. Nathaniel Clyne was rumored to be a long-term replacement at left back, and Morgan Schneiderlin seemed like a perfect fit for the Gunners, but Arsene Wenger bought the versatile teenager instead.
One could argue Chambers was bought well above market value, and he probably was overpaid for. Then again, Chambers can provide cover in three positions and unless there are significant injuries shouldn’t be burdened with holding down a starting role. Chambers is definitely one for the future, and has physicality to add to his already impressive game. In these financially friendly days, Arsenal fans shouldn't lose any sleep over what they paid for this young man; he is an accomplished captain at the U-19 level for England, and has drawn rave reviews in his first three appearances for Arsenal.
This season, I see Chambers mostly playing at right back and occasionally center back. With Mikel Arteta set to be 33 in December, it seems Chambers could even be the heir apparent to the less physical holding midfield role Arteta plays. In the long run, I see Chambers’ future in the defensive midfield, but in the mean time expect him to cover for Mathieu Debuchy and whichever three center backs Arsenal have after the transfer window closes.
Alberto Moreno, Liverpool
At 22, Moreno has already established himself as one of the better young left backs in the world alongside Luke Shaw, David Alaba, and Marcos Rojo. Moreno was left off Spain’s final squad list for the World Cup, narrowly missing out to the more versatile Cesar Azpilicueta.
Moreno gives Liverpool one of the deepest sets of outside backs in the premier league, joining Jose Enrique, Glen Johnson, and the jack-of-all-trades Jon Flanagan. With Enrique fresh off a knee injury, I expect Moreno to already be the first-choice left back at Anfield. Moreno was second on Sevilla in interceptions, clearances, and tackles last season and also possesses the ability to make long runs up the left flank..
Last season for Liverpool, left back was the one position that seemed to evade the club throughout the course of the year. Flanagan was excellent in the second half, but his future is on the other side of the pitch. Personally, I thought nothing of Aly Cissokho last season and feel Moreno is the second best addition behind Emre Can at Anfield this summer. With Moreno in the squad, Liverpool fans should rest easy they shouldn't have as many headaches this season.
Eliaquim Mangala, Manchester City
Finally, I can say Mangala is a Manchester City player…and not hear that he has signed a contract for the 50th time this window. Mangala may spell the end of Matija Nastasic at the club, high praise for a player who didn’t see the field at the World Cup. However, Nastasic’s form in the Community Shield warrants these claims, and Mangala could very well be that good.
Mangala shouldn’t have any problem settling in at the United Nations of football that is Manchester City, as he joins countrymen Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, and Samir Nasri (keep in mind Vincent Kompany’s first language is French, and Patrick Veiera is also heavily involved at the Etihad). Furthermore, the presence of Fernando, a proclaimed mentor of Mangala at Porto, should help the youngster settle in.
The one concern with this transfer is the ridiculous price it came with. Mangala cost a reported 32 million pounds, but the total transfer fee including payments to third party ownership and Standard Leige have been reported upwards of 43 million pounds. Considering he has three international caps, hardly any Champions League experience, and will likely start his career on the bench, it’s absurd that anyone would pay this much for him (Mesut Ozil cost Arsenal less, as did just about every other player in the league right now).
Romelu Lukaku, Everton
I wrote about Lukaku in a previous post about Everton’s summer business, but the snippet I included on him doesn’t do the big Belgian justice. This is a bit of business that makes total sense even though Lukaku probably isn't worth the 28 million pounds Everton paid for him.. The intent Everton are showing this summer is remarkable, and although it was always thought Lukaku would be retained by Everton eventually, the manner in which the deal was pushed through was surprising.
I expected a long, drawn-out transfer saga in this case, but it was anything but. The deal was done quickly, and it’s obvious Jose Mourinho was content to let the player go for such a price tag. Lukaku now returns to Everton as the chosen one, the most expensive player by a mile in club history, and a hero on the blue half of Merseyside.
If he can stay fit (seems like that’s the biggest IF in the world these days), Lukaku could become even more dangerous. Lukaku’s season was marred with inconsistency and injury last year but I expect him to improve under Roberto Martinez, who saw the Belgian light up Goodison Park with several dominating performance at the tip of the Everton attack. Between Lukaku and Ross Barkley, Everton have two of the brightest new stars on the planet.
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