The Premier League’s biggest winners and losers in transfer window

October 7, 2020

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Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.

The Premier League transfer window slammed shut on Monday night following a dramatic final trolly dash and late flurry of activity.

By the close of business, Premier League clubs had spent a staggering £1.218bm on new recruits during the window, as squads were retooled, rejuvenated and reinforced for the 2020/21 campaign.

With the dust starting to settle after another dizzying transfer merry-go-round, it’s time of supporters to reflect on their club’s transfer business.

Below, we look at some of the Premier League clubs that performed some impressive market manoeuvres as well as some of the others that came up worryingly short.

Remember – we’ll be covering all the English top-flight action with betting tips and match previews on our Premier League predictions page.

Winners

Everton

The Toffees went big and went early this summer, adding star-dust and steel to their midfield with the acquisitions of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and James Rodriguez.

With a newly solidified centre, Everton exploded out of the blocks this season, winning each of their first four Premier League matches of the campaign to enter the international break as the division’s early front runners.

On Deadline Day, the Merseysiders dipped their toes into the market again to wrangle highly-rated young centre half Ben Godfrey away from Norwich City for what should prove a reasonable £20m, and their savvy operations have made the Toffees a dark horse for Champions League qualification this term.

Chelsea

Chelsea were by some distance the Premier League’s biggest spenders this summer after Roman Abramovich sanctioned moves for a clutch of high-profile signings.

The Blues splashed out north of £200m to bring highly rated German pair Timor Werner and Kai Havertz, ex-Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech, England regular Ben Chilwell and French stopper Edouard Mendy to Stamford Bridge, while the vastly experienced Thiago Silva was also snapped up on a free transfer.

While Chelsea’s early performances suggest Frank Lampard’s new look team will have teething problems to work though, the potential in the Blues ranks is staggering following their massive outlay.

Tottenham Hotspur

Jose Mourinho went on a major Spurs shopping spree during the elongated summer window, strengthening his hand with six players ahead of his first full season in charge at Tottenham.

Seasoned Premier League campaigners Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were drafted in from Wolves and Southampton respectively, while in-demand fullback Sergio Reguilon was signed from Real Madrid. Joe Hart was brought in to add depth and cover to Spurs’ goalkeeping options, while striker Carlos Vinicius was acquired to compete with Harry Kane.

Tottenham’s most impressive piece of business saw them bring Welsh superstar Gareth Bale back to the club on a season’s loan however, leaving Spurs’ squad looking packed to bursting with top-level talent.

Newcastle United

Newcastle United supporters were left pleasantly surprised after their club showed uncharacteristic agility and cleverness market this year, and after summer of precision purchases, the Magpies look well-equipped for the season ahead.

Steve Bruce didn’t have to shell out a penny to bring Ryan Fraser and Jeff Hendrick to the north east after both midfielder’s contracts had expired with their previous employers.

Bruce returned to Fraser’s former club Bournemouth to tie up a deal for the prolific Callum Wilson, while rapidly developing fullback Jamal Lewis was also picked up from recently relegated Norwich City for a modest fee.

Losers

Manchester United

Following their Champions League qualification success last season, big things were expected of Manchester United in the transfer market over the summer, though the club’s notoriously dreadful recruitment methods left them looking a bit silly again.

An ultimately futile pursuit of primary target Jadon Sancho left United furiously scrambling around for alternatives on Deadline Day, and though they managed to get several deals over the line before the window closed, the panicked manner in which they went about their business left supporters irate….again.

Down the line, a summer that saw Donny van de Beek, Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles arrive alongside highly-rated prospects Facudo Pellestri and Amad Diallo Traore for a relatively moderate total outlay might be viewed in a better light, though United’s inefficiency in getting players though the door continues to be an embarrassment.

Burnley

The Clarets’ lack of movement over the summer saw fractures develop in the relationship between manager Sean Dyche and the club’s owners, and Burnley’s dreadful start to the new season is a reflection of the negative mood at Turf Moor after hugely disappointing window.

Burnley were the Premier League’s lowest spenders by the time market closed shop, shelling out just £1m in total to sign a single recruit in former Brighton anchorman Dale Stephens.

While the lack of new blood has understandably frustrated Dyche, the Burnley boss would have been pleased to see the club keep hold of key centre-half James Tarkowki, who had looked on the verge of a switch to Leicester City.

West Brom

Relegation favourites West Brom chose to keep the purse strings drawn over the summer, resisting the temptation to spend big in an attempt to stay afloat this season – though their decision already looks costly.

Last season’s loan stars, Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana, were secured on permanent deals from Sporting CP and West Ham, while the battle-hardened Serbian Branislav Ivanovic was signed on a free transfer from Zenit, though Albion fans were left largely underwhelmed by their club’s strategy.

After a dismal start to life in the Premier League, a season of toil looks almost certain for the Baggies however, and they will regret not being a little more adventurous in the market if they tumble out of the top flight at the first time of asking.

West Ham

While spirits are high at West Ham at the moment thanks to back-to-back Premier League victories against Wolves and Leicester, their longer-term prospects don’t look quite so bright after some meagre market moves.

The Irons trimmed some of the fat and allowed some fist team squad members to depart, though 28-year-old Czech defender Vladimir Coufal, signed for just £5m, was their only incoming of note.

The Hammers’ lack of aggression in the market heightened tensions between supporters and club’s controversial owners, and a string of poor results could turn things toxic pretty quickly.