The English transfer window slammed shut on Thursday evening with the Premier League deadline day to bring an end to the summer spending that has seen a colossal £1.4 billion spent.
Every year managers will tell the media they want their business done early yet each year deadline day is hectic but who landed the best late buys this time around?
5 – ANDY CARROLL
Okay, a controversial one to start given the lack of games he’s played over the years, but it works for the parties in question. Carroll is a Geordie lad who loves Newcastle and he will give everything to help their bid to avoid relegation.
He will suit Steve Bruce’s style given his physical presence and, on his day, he’s capable of bullying any center half. It’s not every day you find a player who averages one goal in four games for free and whilst Carroll’s injury record is a concern – he’s not played a full season since 2011/12 when he scored nine in 47 for Liverpool.
The fact he’s penned a pay as you play deal proves he wants to be ‘home’ and Newcastle have a risk free signing to back up their summer arrival, Joelinton.
4 – KIERAN TIERNEY
Arsenal had been tracking Tierney for a long time and finally landed their man at the third time of asking for £25m. The Scottish left-back had been with Celtic since the age of 7 but since breaking into their first team he has proven too good for Scottish soccer.
Tierney is a marauding fullback who has an end product, but he also plays with a huge amount of heart and is not afraid to get stuck in; that ‘fire’ is something the Gunners have lacked for a long time. Given Tierney’s youth, we’re sure he’ll establish himself in the Arsenal side for a long time to come.
3 – ISMAILA SARR
Watford smashed their transfer record to land Sarr and you can see why. The Senegalese international is frighteningly quick and will get bums off seats inside Vicarage Road as he looks to beat his markers time and time again.
Sarr, who is still only 21, was courted by Barcelona as a youngster but opted for a grounding in Ligue 1 where he played for Metz and Rennes. During his career in France, Sarr has proven to be a creative influence and was involved in a goal every two and a half games with a fairly even split between goals and assists.
If he can bring some of that attacking flair to Watford then he’ll quickly become a fan favorite – and after their opening day thrashing at the hands of Brighton, hopefully, he starts chipping in soon.
2 – DAVID LUIZ
Is David Luiz the dominating, commanding defender Arsenal have desperately needed for a decade? No, but he’s an improvement on what they had before him and as we said in a previous article, Arsenal priority this Summer should be to reinforce their backline. Especially after the departure of club’s captain Laurent Koscielny.
Luiz is a fantastic technical player who can score goals from pretty much anywhere and will play football in the way Gunners fans appreciate. He does have a mistake in him and he’ll undoubtedly cost Arsenal a goal or two throughout the season but he’s played under Unai Emery before in PSG and for the outlay of £8m Arsenal haven’t just signed a defender who improves their starting XI.
He will also bring experience and personality to the dressing room. Luiz was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea could end up regretting letting him go to a rival – especially for such a small fee. When we talked about what Frank Lampard needed to address this Summer, losing a key player during a transfer embargo, wasn’t exactly what we were thinking.
1 – RYAN SESSEGNON
Tottenham was said to be pursuing Sessegnon all summer and on deadline day they finally got their man. The young English talent stood out in the Championship as he helped his Fulham team to promotion two years ago with 16 goals and eight assists in 49 matches but, despite netting twice and setting up six last year, he didn’t really set the Premier League alight.
That said, it’s tough to shine in a struggling team and Mauricio Pochettino clearly believes he’s worth the potential £30m sum involved and, in time, we suspect it might become an absolute steal.
This year feels like Sessegnon’s first real chance in the big time and with the quality, he’ll have around him he will develop quickly. Don’t be surprised to see him called into Gareth Southgate’s England team off the back of his club displays.
What other deals do you think will flourish and help their respective teams in the Premier League Table?
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