Chelsea, Manchester City Lead the Transfer Window Winners | OneFootball

Chelsea

Total Spend: $375.5M (12 players)Total Sold: $362.6M  (33 total: 12 sold, 7 undisclosed, 10 loaned out, 4 released on free)Net: -$12.9MHooligan Grade: A-

For a club renowned for excessive spending, Chelsea was remarkably restrained in this window. Their balance sheet is extremely close to zero. The eight players brought in have been carefully leveled against the busload that have been sold, shipped off or loaned.

There’s little doubt that João Pedro and Estêvão are smart signings. Pedro alone earned his fee in the Club World Cup matches he played in. Liam Delap is still an open book; his hamstring injury last Saturday will delay whether his purchase was a good deal. Outside of these three are another nine possible players who can shine. Such an embarrassment of riches isn’t unusual for the Blues; that they’re using them intelligently is.

Manchester City

Total Spend: $200.6M (6 players)Total Sold: $110.4M (25 total: 6 sold, 15 loaned out, 2 undisclosed, 2 left on free)Net: -$90.2MHooligan Grade: B

Let’s not forget that Manchester City are still under investigation for 115 violations of the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) stemming from actions between 2009 and 2018. The club protests their innocence, and this saga has been ongoing since February 2023. Under that cloud, any transfers they make could be subject to further investigation.

Shoving those concerns aside, Manchester City did some good business. They knew what they wanted, bought early and bought intelligently. Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rayan Cherki all had an immediate impact in the Club World Cup.

Their grade was dinged hard by the last second news that City agreed to fork over $40M to PSG for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Earlier in the window they had dropped $37.5M for Burnley keeper James Trafford. $77.5M is a LOT to pay for two goalkeepers, and it’s not as if Trafford has been a disaster. City’s two losses weren’t his fault.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Total Spend: $92.1M (11 players)Total Sold: $188.9M (28 total: 8 sold, 2 undisclosed, 15 loaned out, 3 released on free)Net: $96.8MHooligan Grade: A-

Brighton has always exercised the “buy low; sell high” philosophy, and made good money doing it. This summer window was no exception. While it must sting a little seeing how João Pedro is lighting it up for Chelsea, the Blues have always enjoyed shopping at the Seagull’s marketplace.

Overall, considering their profit (highest in the PL)and the great potential from their big signings (four of whom are under 20 years old), Brighton was a clear transfer window winner.

Newcastle United

Total Spend: $343.5M (8 players)Total Sold: $132.4M (11 total: 3 sold, 1 undisclosed, 4 loaned out, 3 released on free)Net: $-130MHooligan Grade: C+

Let’s be honest, the entire toxicity surrounding Alexander Isak’s departure ensured Newcastle would never have a harmonious transfer window. But the (very) good news there is that the deal with Liverpool was settled on the final day, and for the $170M price tag the club sought. Cutting bait on Isak is huge both for locker room morale and the bottom-line.

On that same deadline day they pried Brentford’s fingers off Yoanne Wissa; days before they bought Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. I personally think they paid too much for the German forward, and in the window overall. Howe will have 3-5 games after the International Break to show he can work it all out. Otherwise….

Everton

Total Spend: $165.9M (8 players)Total Sold: $8.2M (1 sold, 1 undisclosed, 3 loaned out, 7 released on free)Net: $-157.7MHooligan Grade: D

There are SO MANY things wrong about how Everton managed this transfer window. They spent WAY too much money, though I’m bullish on who they signed and their potential to help the club. They sold the fewest players of any Premier League team, and allowed seven players to depart for free. For an organization that’s already been stung for PSR violations, this is a dangerous game. So their grade is “D” for dismal.

But Everton are still winners for one reason: Jack Grealish. They have him on loan, and already he has four assists in two games. Boom. Mic dropped.