The summer transfer window in the Premier League saw teams spending record amounts of money in pursuit of their dreams. Many big players moved around, resulting in a reshaping of squads across the league. Below, we will assess the grades and analysis of all 20 Premier League clubs based on their business in the transfer window.
Teams such as Luton Town, Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Wolves, and Everton failed to strengthen their promotion-winning squads. This was surprising, especially for Burnley and Sheffield United, who had worked hard to return to the Premier League. While some of these teams made savvy signings, they are essentially hoping for the best. Crystal Palace failed to replace Wilfried Zaha’s attacking prowess, leaving them vulnerable in front of goal. Wolves and Everton, facing financial limitations, struggled to replace their outgoing players. Bournemouth, despite making some good signings, attempted to change their playing style without a significant overhaul of their squad.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, and Brentford all received pass grades but could have done better. Liverpool addressed their midfield needs but still require reinforcements in defense. Manchester United made signings but seemed to settle for secondary choices rather than their top targets. Newcastle made a splash with one signing but missed the opportunity to strengthen other key positions. Brentford, despite making savvy moves, will face challenges with the absence of Ivan Toney and David Raya.
Teams that excelled in the transfer window and improved their squads include Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United. Reigning champions Manchester City added depth to their squad despite losing key players. Arsenal made impressive signings early on, with improvements in various positions. Chelsea successfully reshaped their squad with numerous additions and the departure of unwanted players. West Ham utilized the funds from the sale of Declan Rice effectively, strengthening their team overall. Tottenham coped well with the loss of Harry Kane and made astute signings. Aston Villa made top-quality additions, enhancing the strength of their squad. Nottingham Forest significantly strengthened their squad on deadline day.
Overall, the summer transfer window saw a mixture of successes and disappointments for Premier League teams. Some teams made significant improvements to their squads, while others failed to adequately strengthen, leaving them vulnerable in their respective competitions.