How are the Premier League clubs doing in the transfer window?

In a time of pre-season friendlies and a busy transfer window, who are the Premier League clubs that should be feeling optimistic?

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Manchester City

Who’s in and who’s out?

So far, City have brought in arguably the signing of the season in Erling Haaland, while they’ve also reinforced the midfield with promising Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United.

While they’re usually characterised as the most lavish spenders in the modern game, if the expected sale of Raheem Sterling goes through along with the earlier departure of Gabriel Jesus, City will actually be in profit this window.

How are the fans feeling?

Most are feeling bullish by the prospect of Haaland improving the first team and they fancy their chances to become only the second team in the Premier League era to win three consecutive titles (after Manchester United).

However, ultimate success will be measured in the UEFA Champions League, and that’s a tournament where squad contributions from Sterling and Jesus have proved invaluable in the past.

Looking at the sentiment around City now as opposed to this stage last year, it probably looks rosier than in July 2021, where the defining feature was needing to sign Harry Kane. Haaland’s capture definitely makes up for that now.

Currently, they look on track to finish…

It’s looking good for them to be champions again, especially since their closest challengers, Liverpool, have lost a major component of their recent success.

Liverpool

Who’s in and who’s out?

The biggest name is in their departure section, with Sadio Mane leaving the club for a new challenge at Bayern Munich.

This means that the famously threatening trio of Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino has been broken up.

With backup players Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino also leaving the club, restructuring the forward line is taking place not just in the first team, but the whole squad.

Darwin Nunez is their biggest signing so far and expectations will be high, mainly because Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool very rarely get signings wrong.

How are the fans feeling?

A little concerned and sad that Mane left, but many have been debating how to squeeze Diogo Jota into the team more permanently and that’s now been solved.

Last season left a huge “what if?” feeling, with their dreams of a quadruple turning into the reality of a double. As always under Klopp, there were way more positives than negatives, which makes most fans eager for the season to kick off so that they can dream again.

Currently, they look on track to finish…

Second. They look on course to compete with City, but they still get shaded on squad depth in comparison. They are still miles ahead of the rest.

Chelsea

Who’s in and who’s out?

Their biggest “out” isn’t a player. Roman Abramovich has had his reign ended, which puts the microscope on how many transfer deals Chelsea will make without him.

So far, it’s more bark than bite, with Chelsea linked with many players that haven’t materialised into done deals.

The list of players that have left is growing, though, with Antonio Rudiger needing to be replaced in defence, along with Andreas Christensen. Romelu Lukaku has left on loan as well, making him a serious contender for the most expensive transfer flop award.

How are the fans feeling?

A little uncertain in these post-Abramovich times but it will just take a couple of new signings for the fans to feel like they might challenge the top two this season.

Faith and respect for Thomas Tuchel is high and Chelsea still have a squad deeper than most. The fans just want him supported with transfer funds. Signing Raheem Sterling would be a stellar move to up the sentiment.

Currently, they look on track to finish…

Fourth. Without confirmed reinforcements, they’ve currently lost ground to neighbours Tottenham.

Tottenham

Who’s in and who’s out?

It’s exciting times at Spurs with Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, as well as Clement Lenglet on loan all coming into the club with serious pedigree.

Antonio Conte used to complain that the board weren’t backing him with transfers. Seems like they listened.

With only Steven Bergwijn as a notable departure (who was struggling to make a first team impression anyway), it could be argued that Tottenham have had the most exciting transfer window in Europe.

How are the fans feeling?

Seriously happy. Last season ended on a high with Champions League qualification and fans are ready to get behind Conte’s next campaign.

Sceptics might be worrying about how the Italian usually leaves clubs under a cloud, but now’s not the time to be negative.

Currently, they look on track to finish…

Third. With their early transfer business while Chelsea dither, they must think that leapfrogging the Blues is attainable.

Arsenal

Who’s in and who’s out?

Gabriel Jesus is the marquee signing while Fabio Vieira also comes into their midfield roster. Lacazette is the main departure, but it felt like he left well before he actually did.

How are the fans feeling?

Happy with Arteta and content that there was an upward trend in results last season. After a while out of continental competition, they can look forward to being in the Europa League this season, even if it means dealing with jibes from fans of teams in the Champions League.

Currently, they look on track to finish…

Fifth again. Everything seems to be steadily improving, but the top four still looks a bridge too far. They should also be looking over their shoulder to see what’s going on at Manchester United.

Manchester United

Who’s in and who’s out?

The biggest non-playing newcomer is manager Erik Ten Hag. The biggest playing newcomer is left back Tyrell Malacia, who is surely only the first of a few.

In terms of who has left, there are many, including Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic. Most of them will be remembered as relics of an unsuccessful era.

How are the fans feeling?

They’re letting their pessimism temper their optimism. A new manager is always exciting, but years of disappointment has convinced the fans that the problems at the club go far beyond who’s coaching the team.

But hey, they beat Liverpool 4-0 in a pre-season friendly, which is a more than welcome injection of home.

Currently, they look on track to finish…

Sixth. At United, it seems to be a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same. A few big transfers could change the outlook, but the reality is that Ten Hag can’t fix everything in just one season.

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