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Here are possibly some of the best and worst pre-season transfers as excitement mounts for the new season of the English Premier League
Football fans have been drooling with delight in the build-up to the new football season of the English Premier League (EPL). So far, momentum has been building, especially with a frenetic amount of transfers taking place, for managers and players alike.
Big stars have been purchased by big clubs, and more big names are being thrown around.
Here are a few of the most promising, possibly most exciting and undoubtedly most shocking transfers that have gone down so far.
Alexis Sánchez [Barcelona to Arsenal]
Nobody can predict what goes on inside the mind of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. After the pleasant surprise fans got last season with the transfer of Mesut Oezil, on the deadline, Gunners all around the world are filled with elation at the new signing of Alexis Sánchez from Barcelona for a fee of about €32 million.
Alexis Sanchez starred for Chile in the recent World Cup. With him on board, will the Gunners be championship contenders once more?
Cesc Fàbregas [Barcelona to Chelsea]
Arsenal fans are not pleased. Former club captain Cesc Fàbregas has joined Chelsea for a fee of about €26 million. Did Wenger pass on the chance to re-sign the Spaniard?
Diego Costa [Atletico Madrid to Chelsea]
Diego Costa impressed last season at Atletico Madrid and earned himself a transfer to Chelsea for a fee reported to be around €32 million. With so many big names coming to Stamford Bridge, is Chelsea the new champions-elect?
Luis Suárez [Liverpool to Barcelona]
Leaving the EPL is none other than Luis “Jaws” Suárez. Last season’s top scorer leaves his bad memories behind for greener pastures.
Although Barcelona paid a fee reported to be in the region of €75 million, some Barca fans are not too pleased about taking “the biter” in. Barcelona will also be without former captain and defensive stalwart, Carles Puyol, who retired at the end of last season.
Not only has it been a busy transfer window for players but for managers as well. Most significantly, Manchester United hope to put their on-pitch troubles behind with their new manager, who led the Netherlands in the recent World Cup, Louis van Gaal.
If United’s strong showing against big European clubs in their pre-season tournament is anything to go by, United’s future looks promising.
From the looks of things, the teams look stronger, the players are hungrier, and the managers have something to prove. Get ready for possibly the most interesting and competitive EPL season in recent years.
By Basil Lee
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