Title Rivals Assessed

I have been longing to write this article, whilst at the same time casting a watchful eye over the transfer window in case our rivals significantly strengthened before it closed. Now that the window has slammed shut I think it's the right time to assess how our title rivals shape up in terms of their signings and overall chances. I will also look at the 'winners' and 'losers' of the window in terms of title chances.


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Manchester City-

In: Jack Grealish £100 million

Having been desperate to secure a striker throughout the window, Pep must be feeling somewhat frustrated at how his team have effectively been lead on by not just one, but two, goalscorers. Firstly there was Harry Kane and then there was Ronaldo. Both lured City into a false sense of security and ultimately didn't make the move. Especially Ronaldo with the way he teased them, only to come home. Yes they've signed Grealish for a ridiculous £100 million but that lack of a striker will make them far less dangerous this year. I'll admit that City play decent football but I just think they have too many midfielders and Grealish doesn't really add anything to them. I remember exactly ten years ago when Pep signed Fabregas for Barca and it never quite worked because they didn't need him. The Grealish signing feels like that. I can't see them winning it again with that forward line of midfielders.

Verdict: Weaker


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Chelsea-

In: Lukaku + Saul

The way Chelsea are apparently nailed on for the title this year absolutely baffles me. Don't get me wrong they're a decent side but is Lukaku really going to fire them to the Premier League? He is indeed a goalscorer but he won't get those big, decisive goals that Chelsea need. If you're 2-0 up against a side like Brighton then Lukaku gets the third and he's always been like that. OK he scored against Arsenal the other week but they're shocking at the minute. Saul is a decent signing but again i'm not sure he's title-defining in the way a Ronaldo or Varane is. What isn't being said is that two of Chelsea's top targets, Hakimi and Kounde, didn't end up with them.

Verdict: Marginal Improvement


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Liverpool-

In: Konate

I really am staggered at Liverpool's approach to the transfer window this year. We all know that last season they had an injury crisis at CB, but to solve that issue by then signing another injury prone CB in Konate is just baffling. For those who remember, Konate is the CB that Rashford terrorised last year in the UCL at Old Trafford and if that was anything to go off he probably won't end up making the grade at Anfield. To me there are clear issues all over the pitch for Klopp's men, most notably a lack of squad depth but also a gradual decline in players like Mane, Firmino, Robertson and even Trent isn't at the level he was 2 years ago. The last thing I find bizarre is the way they're renewing the contracts of players like VVD, Henderson, Fabinho etc who are all mostly in their 30's and getting on.

Verdict: Far weaker

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Biggest losers of the window: Liverpool + Man City joint

Biggest winners of the window: Man United

Title verdict: Whoever finishes above Man United, if anyone does, wins the title.