Welcome to the pre-season small talk on the English Premier League 2013/2014.
In this part of the pre-season article, we will be discussing on the current transfer by the 20 teams.
Starting with
Arsenal
In: Yaya Sanogo Auxerre Free
Out:
Francis Coquelin SC Freiburg Loan
Johan Djourou Hamburg SV Loan
Vito Mannone Sunderland Undisclosed
Kyle Ebecilio Twente Enschede Undisclosed
Denilson São Paulo Free
Sanchez Watt Colchester United Free
André Santos Flamengo Undisclosed
Sebastien Squillaci Bastia Free
Joel Campbell Olympiakos Loan
Chuks Aneke Crewe Loan
Martin Angha 1. FC Nürnberg Free
Kyle Ebecilio Twente Enschede Undisclosed
Andrei Arshavin Zenit St Petersburg Free
JD: From the paper, it seemed to me that Arsenal has been weakened. Sold 5 1st team players, mostly for free, loan out a couple more players, including 1 1st team player. Wow. So with Wenger refusing to spend, will this Arsenal team finally go down and out of the top 4? Or will this work for their favor?
The transfer deadline is still 1 month away. Hence there is still a good chance that Wenger can steal Suarez over.
Aston Villa
In:
Antonio Luna Rodriguez Sevilla FC Undisclosed
Jores Okore FC Nordsjaelland Undisclosed
Leandro Bacuna FC Groningen Undisclosed
Nicklas Helenius Jensen AaB Undisclosed
Jed Steer Norwich City Undisclosed
Out:
Eric Lichaj Birmingham City Free
Jean Makoun Stade Rennes Undisclosed
JD: Aston Villa fans, If i were you, I don't know whether i should be happy or stay the same this season. Looking at the players they bought, sorry but i know none of them. Thankfully, Villa is keeping their star players too. Not a fantastic window so far.
Cardiff City
In:
John Brayford Derby County Undisclosed
Simon Moore Brentford Undisclosed
Steven Caulker Tottenham Undisclosed
Andreas Cornelius Cpenhagen Undisclosed
Out:
Ben Nugent Brentford Loan
JD: Newly promoted Cardiff had shown some commitment that they want to stay here. Biggest signing of the 4 would surely be Caulker. Not too bad a player at spurs, once thought to be one of the bright young star of Spurs, he had left for regular football.
Exit wise, only 1 left. Hopefully they will do more before the window closes.
Chelsea
In:
Mark Schwarzer Fulham Free
Marco van Ginkel Vitesse Arnhem Undisclosed
Andre Schurrie Bayern Leverkusen Undisclosed
Cristian Cuevas O'Higgins
Out:
Milan Lalkovic Walsall Loan
Daniel Pappoe Colchester United Loan
Jeffrey Bruma PSV Eindhoven Undisclosed
Oriol Romeu Valencia Loan
Billy Clifford Yeovil Town Loan
Patrick Van Aanholt Vitesse Arnhem Loan
Sam Walker Colchester United Loan
Thibaut Courtois Atletico Madrid Loan
George Saville Brentford Loan
Todd Kane Blackburn Rovers Loan
Marko Marin Sevilla Loan
JD: Same old brand new coach, "the special one" is back. We all know how he transformed the former Chelsea to the amazing team sometime ago. However, that Chelsea era is coming to an end. Players have aged and some had hung up their boots or left the team.
Mourinho is doing what he does best. Looking at the players he had bought, the message is clear to the fans, this team is dangerously strong and deserved the EPL title once again.
Lots of exodus this season, many on loan to lower end team, hoping for more regular football and impress Mourinho and his assistants.
Worthy to mention is probably poor Marko Marin, who had not proved himself well and now loaned to Sevilla.
Crystal Palace
In:
Elliot Grandin Unattached Free
Jerome Thomas Unattached Free
Dwight Gayle Peterborough United Undisclosed
Stephen Dobbie Brighton & Hove Albion Undisclosed
Campana Sevilla Undisclosed
Out:
Alex Marrow Blackburn Rovers Undisclosed
Jason Banton Milton Keynes Loan
Ryan Inniss Chenltenham Loan
JD: The last time when Palace was in the EPL, they didn't have the quality to stay there. Now they are back, are they stronger? Looking at the players they bought, they are hoping they can beat the drop and that's their aim this season. However, there isn't much quality in this new signings yet.
Everton
In:
Gerard Deulofeu Barcelona Loan
Joel Robles Atletico Madrid Undisclosed
Antolín Alcaraz Wigan Athletic Free
Arouna Koné Wigan Athletic Undisclosed
Out:
Jake Bidwell Brentford Undisclosed
Conor McAleny Brentford Loan
JD: With a change of boss, Everton got some players which followed Martinez to Goodison Park. It will be an uphill task to keep some of their best players too. With Everton former boss looking closely at the duo Baines and Fellani.
If this is the case, not difficult to see Everton dropping places
Fulham
In:
Maarten Stekelenburg AS Roma Undisclosed
Ange Freddy Plumain Lens Free
Fernando Amorebieta Athletic Bilbao Free
Derek Boateng Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk Free
Out:
Ryan Williams Oxford United Loan
Mark Schwarzer Chelsea Free
Dan Burn Birmingham City Loan
Alex Smith Swindon Town Free
JD: In the close season, i have mentioned there is a need for Fulham to inject new blood into the team. They have indeed done that. A good new number 1 keeper was signed to replace the outgoing Schwarzer. However, the rest of the players signed so far are not as good as him.
Hull
In:
Corry Evans Blackburn Undisclosed
Steve Harper Unattached Free
Allan McGregor Besiktas Undisclosed
Maynor Figueroa Wigan Athletic Free
Ahmed Elmohamady Sunderland £2,000,000
Curtis Davies Birmingham City Undisclosed
Danny Graham Sunderland Loan
Yannick Sagbo Evian Thonon Gaillard undisclosed
Out:
Jack Hobbs Forest Loan
Mark Oxley Oldham Athletic Loan
Tom Cairney Blackburn Lan
Corry Evans Blackburn Undisclosed
JD: Welcome back Hull City, the 3rd promoted team. They have shown the most potential to stay in the top flight with the recent recruits. Some of the players have been playing regularly for EPL teams. If they can click well, we might see Hull finish better than expected.
Liverpool
In:
Kolo Touré Manchester City Free
Iago Aspas Celta Vigo Undisclosed
Luis Alberto Sevilla FC Undisclosed
Simon Mignolet Sunderland Undisclosed
Out:
Suso Almeria Loan
Michael Ngoo Yeovil Town Loan
Jonjo Shelvey Swansea City £5,000,000
Henoc Mukendi Patrick Thistle Loan
Krisztian Adorjan FC Groningen Loan
Conor Coady Sheffield United Loan
Jack Robinson Blackpool Loan
Pepe Reina Napoli Loan
Peter Gulacsi Sv Salzburg Free
Danny Wilson Hearts Free
Andy Carroll West Ham Undisclosed
JD: The reds had decided to cash in on their misfire player, Jonjo Shelvey. Out go the 35m signing too. This time they made another loss of 20m. Lots of surprises in the team as Pepe Reina, their number 1 keeper since 2006 were sent packing to Napoli to join Rafa, the man who signed him back in Liverpool.
With the transfer not done yet, there could be more outgoing players than incoming, considering that Liverpool did not qualify for europe this term, they need to cut on the wages. Downing, Skrtel, Spearing and Assaidi all seemed to be on transfer list. My guess will be at least half will go.
The new recruits seemed average on paper. Migolet was signed to replace Reina. Whether he will bring Liverpool to the Champions league will need to be proven. If he had done so well, i dont see why Sunderland was 17th out of 20 teams last term. He kept clean sheets in all their friendly matches, but their opponents were pretty friendly to them too.
Kolo Toure was signed to replace the retired Carragher. Aspas seemed promising but Luis Alberto seemed to be average.
So, i think everyone is sick of this name now, Luis Suarez. Will he finally go or will he be left to rot on the bench?
Manchester City
In:
Fernandinho Shakhtar Donetsk Undisclosed
Jesús Navas Sevilla FC Undisclosed
Álvaro Negredo Sevilla FC Undisclosed
Stevan Jovetic Fiorentina Undisclosed
Out:
Jeremy Helan Sheffield Wednesday Undisclosed
Karim Rekik PSV Eindhoven Loan
Kolo Touré Liverpool Free
Carlos Tevez Juventus £12,000,000
Maicon AS Roma Undisclosed
Wayne Bridge Reading Free
Ryan McGiven Hibernian Free
Omar Elabdellaoui TSV Eintracht Braunschweig Undisclosed
JD: Of all the 20 teams purchases, Man City's seemed to be the most impressive so far. 4 top players added. However many left them too. 1 name seemed to stand out, Carlos Tevez.
Besides Suarez, he seemed to attract the most attention, known for his bad temper and good skills, his departure would certainly be a sweet thing. He had once gone AWOL and wanted to end his career. Now Man C finally decided to cash in on him and gave away some players. It seemed to me places in the team are more and more difficult to get.
So will this new team win all the trophies as set by the chairman?
Manchester United
In:
Guillermo Varela Peñarol Undisclosed
Out:
Michele Fornasier Sampdoria Free
Reece James Carlisle United Loan
Luke McCullough Doncaster Rovers Loan
Ryan Tunnicliffe Ipswich Town Loan
Sean McGinty Sheffield United Free
JD: With Sir Alex Ferguson finally retires from managerial position, we see how Moyes managed his legacy team. 1st issue, Rooney wants out. 2ndly,the players think they know more than him. 3rd, his team records in the pre-season friendly sucks.
As usual, there isnt much changes to the team. No big names leaving, but the transfer window is still open. They have been told they can sign a top player with x amount of money. X = unlimited.
Not much to mention since nothing much was done so far. However, if this team dont perform, someone might face the sack.
Newcastle United
In:
Loïc Remy QPR Undisclosed
Olivier Kemen Metz Undisclosed
Out:
James Perch Wigan Athletic Undisclosed
Danny Simpson Queens Park Rangers Free
Michael Richardson Accrington Stanley Loan
Mehdi Abeid Panathinaikos Loan
Shane Ferguson Birmingham City Loan
James Tavernier Shrewsbury Town Loan
JD: Ok, not too bad, got a good striker from QPR. Out go a whole string of players. So Pardew thinks this squad is good enough? Let's see.
Norwich
In:
Leroy Fer Twente Enschede Undisclosed
Martin Olsson Blackburn Rovers Undisclosed
Carlo Nash Unattached Free
Nathan Redmond Birmingham City Undisclosed
Gary Hooper Celtic Undisclosed
Javier Garrido Lazio Undisclosed
Ricky van Wolfswinkel Sporting Lisbon Undisclosed
Out:
Simeon Jackson TSV Eintracht Braunschweig Free
Grant Holt Wigan Athletic Undisclosed
Leon Barnett Wigan Undisclosed
Andrew Surman Bournemouth Loan
Declan Rudd Preston North End Loan
Marc Tiernet Bolton
Chris Martin Derby Undisclosed
James Vaughan Huddersfield Undisclosed
JD: Wow! Such a busy busy window for Norwich! So far already 7 in 8 out!! Holt finally left them for Championship side Wigan, while the rest of the players who left were not that prominent.
The players who signed for them this season seems decent. With this new team, I am sure they will do better than the previous season. Wolfwinkel, Hooper and Garrido seemed to be good signing for the team. They might just make it into the top half of the table.
Southampton
In:
Victor Wanyama Celtic Undisclosed
Dejan Lovren Lyon Undisclosed
Out:
Vegard Forren Molde Undisclosed
Sam Hoskins Yeovil Town Free
Richard Chaplow Millwall Free
JD: Having escaped relegation, Saints is having a rather quiet window. Having snatched Forren from Liverpool last season, they have realised not everything you looted is good. Out he go after one season.
Wanyama is the signing of the season for them. I expect him to do well and lead the team with Gaston.
Stoke City
In:
Marc Muniesa Barcelona B Free
Erik Pieters PSV Eindhoven £3,000,000
Out:
Matthew Upson Brighton & Hove Albion Free
Dean Whitehead Middlesbrough Free
JD: Stoke is also having a quiet window so far. Except that they have lost their influential manager. Will this stoke team do better without their former manager? Only time will tell. Their current signing doesnt seemed to prove us wrong.
Sunderland
In:
Emanuele Giaccherini Juventus Undisclosed
El-Hadj Ba Le Havre AC Undisclosed
Jozy Altidore AZ Alkmaar Undisclosed
Vito Mannone Arsenal Undisclosed
David Moberg Karlsson IFK Undisclosed
Cabral FC Basel Free
Mobido Diakite Lazio Free
Valentin Roberge Maritimo Free
Duncan Watmore Altrincham Undisclosed
Out:
Matthew Kilgallon Blackburn Rovers Free
Danny Graham Hull Loan
Alfred Ndiaye Eskisehirspor K Loan
Jordan Pickford Burton Albion Loan
Simon Mignolet Liverpool Undisclosed
Ahmed Elmohamady Hull £2,000,000
JD: 9 in 6 out. They should be the most busy team in this summer. Out go their 1st choice keeper, their talented Danny Graham. In came a whole string of unknown players, maybe only Mannone is a familiar face.
Maybe it's not the quantity but the quality i guess?
Swansea City
In:
Jernade Meade Free Agent Free
Wilfried Bony Vitesse Arnhem £12,000,000
Jonjo Shelvey Liverpool £5,000,000
Pozuelo Real Betis Undisclosed
Jordi Amat Espanyol £2,500,000
Jose Ruiz Herrera Canas Real Betis Free
Joanthan De Guzman Villarrel Loan
Out:
Kyle Bartley Birmingham City Loan
Alan Tate Yeovil Town Loan
Kemy Agustien Brighton Free
Gwion Edwards St Johnstone Loan
David Cornell St Mirren Loan
Mark Gower Charlton Free
JD: Another team with a busy summer. Swansea is not a team who will make wholesale changes, this season, they have recruited Shelvey, De Guzman and Bony. Will they fit nicely into the passing team? Or can they finally secure their good goal scoring form with Michu staying?
Tottenham Hotspur
In:
Roberto Soldado Valencia €30,000,000
Paulinho Corinthians £17,000,000
Nacer Chadli Twente Enschede Undisclosed
Out:
Clint Dempsey Seattle Sounders FC Undisclosed
Grant Hall Swindon Town Loan
Massimo Luongo Swindon Town Loan
Jack Barthram Swindon Town Free
John Bostock Toronto FC Loan
Tomislav Gomelt Doncaster Rovers Loan
Adam Smith Derby County Loan
Steven Caulker Cardiff Undisclosed
Bongani Khumalo Doncaster Rovers Loan
Alex Pritchard Swindon Loan
Ryan Mason Swindon Loan
JD: Exodus seemed to be the word for Spurs, who had loan and sold lots of players. Dempsey who had played just 1 good season had left them for good. Caulker had also left them. Interesting to see 4 spurs players joining Swindon on loan.
Will Bale force his way out to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Real?
I have to say it will be a successful window for them, having already gotten Soldado and Paulinho. Their future looks promising if Bale stays.
West Brom
In:
Diego Lugano PSG Free
Goran Popov Dynamo Kiev Loan
Nicolas Anelka Juventus Free
Out:
Marc-Antoine Fortune Wigan Athletic Free
Gonzalo Jara Nottingham Forest Free
Scott Allan Birmingham City Loan
JD: Anelka is back. This time with West Brom. Anelka had several spells with EPL teams, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man C, Bolton Chesea and now West Brom. Is this his final destination before he hang up his boots?
Other signings seemed normal. West Brom had been very stable in recent years. Will Anelka propel them forward or will they finally fall?
West Ham United
In:
Adrián San Miguel del Castillo Real Betis Free
Danny Whitehead Stockport County Undisclosed
Andrew Carroll Liverpool Undisclosed
Razvan Dinca Rat Shakhtar Donetsk Free
Out:
Robert Hall Bolton Wanderers Free
Frederic Piquionne Portland Timbers Free
JD: Last but not least, we saw Andrew Carroll finally arriving at West Ham. With Piquionne leaving on a free too.
West Ham was rumored to have bid for Downing turned down by the player, who have vowed to keep his place at Anfield. Big Sam would make too many changes to his team and i think they will not surprise too many of us with a mid-table finish.