ARSENAL: Arsene Wenger received the world’s most famous and effective reality check last Sunday, and that put him to work yesterday. Deals for Fernabache’s Andre Santos and Werder Bremen skipper Per Mertesacker were completed, whilst Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun and Everton’s midfield lynchpin Mikel Arteta were captured. It’s safe to say that loss at Old Trafford was an effective kick in the backside for the stubborn French gaffer and Arsenal fans are no doubt going to be pleased.
CHELSEA: Andres Villas-Boas has been after Spurs playmaker Luka Modric all summer, to add much needed creativity to a Chelsea midfield that looked much too static and pedestrian for large periods of last season. Harry Redknapp revealed on deadline day that they have rejected a $45m bid for the playmaker, and it was painfully obvious that the Blues had to look elsewhere. They settled on Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles who submitted a transfer request hours before the market closed to force through his move. Liverpool has a wealth of talent in the center of the pitch but its still a bit strange to sell your best player from the previous season to a direct rival!
LIVERPOOL: Former striker Craig Bellamy made a sensational return from Manchester City where he was surplus to requirements. The Welsh international had a torrid time at the Etihad stadium with even a poignant loan return to hometown club Cardiff failing to provide much relief. The only question mark over Bellamy this summer was where he was going to end up, and the Kop is where he has.
MANCHESTER CITY: City has been very busy throughout this summer, using their mega-bucks to build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts, and they were involved right through deadline day. Former Red Devil Owen Hargreaves completed his sensational deal across Manchester, joining Roberto Mancini’s men. Considering his injury problems since moving to England, this is something of a gamble on City’s path. Of course, only time will tell what kind of return they are going to get off their investment; but either way I feel it’s a risk worth taking, if nothing for his vast experience in Europe.
THE REST: BLACKBURN ROVERS have captured former Everton attacker Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Bryan Ruiz has completed his move from Twente to FULHAM. STOKE broke their transfer record to acquire Peter Crouch. Arsenal outcast Nicklas Bendtner has joined SUNDERLAND on a season long loan deal. Shaun Wright-Phillips has traded Manchester for London, joining QPR on a permanent deal. TOTTENHAM has acquired West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, whilst they have farmed out Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas to ASTON VILLA.
In deals outside of England, Joe Cole has joined French champions Lille in a bid to get more regular football. Serie A champions A.C Milan have signed Palermo midfielder Antonio Nocerino as cover for Mathieu Flamini, out for 6 months following sugery. And crosstown rivals Internazionale signed Diego Forlan and Mauro Zarate, both to add more steel upfront.
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