Premier League Summer Transfers: Evaluating Clubs from Burnley to Fulham

10 months ago

The summer transfer window in the Premier League has come to a close, and it's time to assess how each club fared in the market. Did they address their weaknesses? Did they strengthen their squads for the challenges that lie ahead in the new season? In this comprehensive analysis, we will delve into the major deals and evaluate whether more additions were needed for clubs ranging from Burnley to Fulham.

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Burnley: Quality Everywhere Except Defense

Burnley has been unusually busy in this transfer window, bringing in more than ten players. However, this significant overhaul has left us with more questions than answers, primarily because it will take some time for these new signings to gel as a team. Nonetheless, there are several standout arrivals.

Sander Berge and Aaron Ramsey could potentially form a formidable central midfield partnership given time to adapt to each other's style of play. James Trafford showcased his abilities during the summer with the England Under-21s, hinting at a bright future in goal. Additionally, Zeki Amdouni arrives as the top goalscorer in the UEFA Europa Conference League from last season, boasting seven goals.

However, the defensive line remains a concern for Burnley. Despite their busy transfer activities, they have conceded 11 Premier League goals, more than any other team, and that too in just three matches. While the addition of Dara O’Shea from West Bromwich Albion strengthens their defense, one might question whether Vincent Kompany, Burnley's manager, should have spent more resources reinforcing this crucial area.

Chelsea: A Slightly Lopsided Squad

Chelsea, as expected, had a busy transfer window. They brought in at least seven players who are expected to compete for starting positions while seeing over ten big-name players exit the club. However, this flurry of activity has left them with a slightly lopsided squad.

One glaring issue is the dearth of creative players capable of linking up the play in the final third. Injuries to Christopher Nkunku and Carney Chukwuemeka coupled with the departures of Kai Havertz and Mason Mount have left Chelsea light in the creative department, which was evident in their recent 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

On a positive note, Chelsea now boasts significant depth in defense. Meanwhile, the midfield could potentially become one of the best in the world with the likes of Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez. The successful integration of these players will be key to Chelsea's success this season.

Crystal Palace: A Balanced Approach

Crystal Palace may have left it late, but they ultimately secured what they needed in the transfer market. Importantly, they managed to retain the services of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, with Olise signing a new contract, providing much-needed stability.

The addition of Dean Henderson in goal for a reported £20 million is a significant upgrade, addressing a long-standing issue. Rob Holding strengthens Roy Hodgson’s defensive options, and Jefferson Lerma brings defensive solidity to the central midfield.

The departure of Wilfried Zaha was expected, but the success of Palace's window might depend on how well 19-year-old Matheus Franca can fill Zaha's shoes. Zaha led Palace last season in touches in the attacking penalty area and carries into the penalty area, and Franca has big shoes to fill.

Overall, Crystal Palace has left no glaring weaknesses unaddressed in this transfer window.

Everton: Goalscoring Woes and Defensive Gaps

Everton's struggles in front of the goal last season were evident, with their underperformance against Expected Goals (xG) being the highest in the Premier League. This summer, they sought to address this issue by bringing in players like Beto, who scored ten goals in Serie A last season, Jack Harrison, and Arnaut Danjuma. These additions aim to provide more firepower to the squad.

However, their struggles were not limited to the attack. Everton has conceded 37 goals in 22 league matches under Sean Dyche. Surprisingly, they only brought in one defender, Ashley Young. While Young is an experienced full-back, the defensive department could still be a concern.

Moreover, Everton seems thin in midfield, especially with the sale of Alex Iwobi to Fulham. Beyond Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye, and Amadou Onana, Everton lacks senior midfield options, at least until Dele Alli is fit.

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Fulham: Mitrovic Departure Looms Large

Fulham faced a significant challenge when they lost Aleksandar Mitrovic. Mitrovic's departure has been deeply felt, as Fulham currently boasts one of the lowest Expected Goals (xG) in the Premier League this season.

To replace him, Fulham acquired Raul Jimenez, a striker who has scored only ten Premier League goals in the last three seasons from 48 starts. This may not be enough to improve Fulham's record of taking the fewest shots per 90 minutes in the division this season.

Fulham's problems extend to the defensive side as well. Their xG Against of 11.7 is the worst in the league. While the additions of Timothy Castagne and Calvin Bassey may improve their defense, the late collapse of Joao Palhinha's move to Bayern Munich could pose a problem if his form dips.

In midfield, the additions of Alex Iwobi and Adama Traore are interesting and complement Marco Silva's preferred style of attacking down the flanks. However, Fulham has a lot to prove in the upcoming season.

In conclusion, the summer transfer window has reshaped the Premier League landscape, and each club's performance in the market will undoubtedly impact their fortunes in the season ahead. While some clubs addressed their weaknesses effectively, others might still have work to do to achieve their goals.