Tag: Transfers

How Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

Arteta's made subtle adjustments in the transfer window to keep his squad the same, adding only a few pieces to the puzzle. The only loss is Leandro Trossard, and it's safe to say that United, Liverpool and City have endured greater losses. Meanwhile, Bruno Guimarães adds another versatile dimension in midfield, and Greek international Christos Tzolis has looked bright in the pre-season to make up for that Trossard loss. Here is everything you need to know about Arteta's Arsenal in 2026-27, and why they may just win the title again.

How Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

Roberto De Zerbi managed to do something remarkable in quickly instilling a high intensity, press and possess 4-3-3, whilst predominantly just showing the players that they were cared for and looked after. With more time to properly employ his methodologies, we could see a Tottenham Hotspur side ready to challenge for the top four. Here is how Spurs could look next season under Roberto De Zerbi.

How Michael Carrick’s Manchester United could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

After a string of successive failings at Manchester United, Michael Carrick brought a breath of fresh air to the club at the start of the year. The Red Devils lost just two of their seventeen matches with Carrick in charge, winning twelve and drawing three. We'll never know what might have been possible had he been in charge from the start of last season. But now we'll get a chance to find out all that is possible in 2026-27. The next few weeks will now be Carrick's time to prepare the squad for all the continued harmony they witnessed from January to June. Integrating Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos will be important puzzle pieces in that quest. And as they do, Carrick just might found out whether or not he still needs to find a like-for-like replacement for Casemiro.

How Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, Team Analysis

Xabi Alonso enters Chelsea as one of the most reputable managers in the world, despite only being in the managerial scene for seven years. He also enters at a time when Chelsea desperately need someone to steady the ship. The Blues finished a measly 10th in the 2025-26 Premier League season, and lost the backing of some of their most influential stars. Although the Blues have spent over a £1 billion in the Todd Boehly era, they now have someone with a clear tactical identity that can work to get the best out of another summer of new recruits. The early indications are expensive, but positive. Here is how Alonso's Chelsea could look next season.

Why big clubs keep getting transfers wrong

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting

To football clubs, £100 million might no longer seem like an insane amount of money. They seem to have money to spare. But it never works. And herein lies the reason why clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth will always have better transfer strategies. Think of how many proven Premier League players you could sign for that total sum of £100-125 million. Think of how many young players you could convince to join for that total fee. This is the problem with the spending of big clubs, and why most big transfers fail.

Fixing Tottenham Hotspur – Transfer Market Analysis – 2023-24

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

Despite their torrid time this season, I disagree with many of the takes that Tottenham are in need of a complete rebuild and overhaul to change their fortunes around. That said, a few positions remain in need of severe upgrades, specifically at the back. So once more, in my search to fix Tottenham without European football, I'm searching for a goalkeeper, two centre-backs, and a left-back.

Analyzing Southampton’s transfer window so far

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Managers, Most Recent, Premier League, Team Analysis

Ralph Hasenhüttl's Southampton have been drooling for some fresh faces the past few seasons, and this summer looks set to be the one where they finally get their wish and make their much anticipated moves. With six signings already confirmed and two 16 year-olds also on the way from North London, you'd think Southampton were about done for this window. However, with the arrival of a new sporting director and head of recruitment in the form of Rasmus Ankersen and Joe Shields respectively, the Saints could be in for an exhilarating ride before the clock strikes 11pm on September 1st. Here is our analysis of Southampton's summer window so far, ahead of the 2022-23 Premier League season.

Why Gabriel Jesus is perfect for Arsenal

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker, Winger

Gabriel Jesus arrives at Arsenal Football Club as the complete package, capable of fulfilling a number of different roles and tasks. Not only is the Brazilian a competent creator and scorer of great goals, he is also a highly active contributor both in and out of possession. Jesus catches the eye in not only 1v1 situations where he can use his pace and power to explode away from defenders, but in stellar perceptions of space to find pockets to receive and work his way around defensive blocks.