Premier League transfer window winners and losers

Summary

The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Premier League Transfer Window Winners and Losers

Date: August 11, 2026
Host: Adam Leventhal
Guests: Tim Spears, Jay Harris, Sam Lee

---

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the state of Premier League clubs as the transfer window nears its close. Adam Leventhal is joined by ranking expert Tim Spears and Jay Harris to determine which clubs have “won” or “lost” the transfer window so far. The team categorizes prominent clubs, discusses notable signings and departures, and debates which moves might most impact the 2026/27 season. The tone is analytical and banter-filled, with plenty of context and caveats as the window remains open.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spurs: Ambition, Overcorrection, and Remaining Gaps

Timestamps: 03:15 - 12:27

• Significant Spending & Statement Signings

  • Broke transfer record twice: Matus Fernandez and Sandro Tonali (fended off Man Utd and Man City).
  • Added Jean-Paul Van Hecke, Marco Senesi, Andy Robertson.
  • Context: Just scraped survival last season (17th), so overhaul was dramatic and necessary.

• Contract Renewals & Wages

  • Uplift in spending seen in higher wages, renewals (Pedro Porro, Mickey Van de Ven).

• Concerns about Balance & Injuries

  • Jay Harris: Attacking options are light due to injuries: “Maddison’s coming back from two ACLs... Xavi Simons and Wilson Otterben might not be seen until late in the year... It’s just threadbare up front.” (06:26)
  • Tim Spears: Spurs’ upgrades heavily focused on midfield; questions value versus needs up front.

• Medical Staff Changes

  • Brought in Dan Lunden as new Performance Director, investigating injury causes, training loads, and pitch quality. (09:15)

Memorable Quote:

“Pulling both Tonali and Fernandez off, I think really tells people there’s been a bit of a... I know it’s the same people in charge, but now Levy’s no longer there. [It] does feel like it’s a bit of a new era at Spurs.”
– Jay Harris (03:30)

---

2. Arsenal: Incremental Improvements and Missed Targets

Timestamps: 12:27 - 16:53

• Strengthening a Title-Winning Squad

  • Key signings: Bruno Guimaraes (midfield upgrade, not a ‘game changer’ but adds quality).
  • Missed out on Vinicius Junior, who used negotiations for a new Madrid contract—seen as a blow.

• Centre-Back Question Marks

  • William Saliba out for an “extended period,” Mascara praised as backup.
  • Romero (Spurs) rumors swirled but deemed unlikely and not ideal.
  • “You got to land [big stars]... I don’t think Bruno Guimaraes quite qualifies in that bracket.” – Tim Spears (13:44)

• Internal Expectations

  • Still expected to push forward—improved but perhaps missed a marquee addition.

---

3. Manchester United: Sensible Moves, Stealth Upgrades

Timestamps: 19:55 - 21:49

• Key incomings: Tielemans (“one of the signings of the summer”—Tim Spears, 20:19), Andre Santos.
• Improved squad balance, good value buys (Tielemans for £35m at age 29).
• Sensible, low-drama window—unusual for United, but may lack depth for a European campaign.

Quote:

“It’s not fun for us though, when they’re being sensible in the transfer market.”
– Jay Harris (21:04)

---

4. Manchester City: Quiet Summer, Strategic Timing

Timestamps: 22:04 – 25:08

• Eyes on Rodri's Potential Exit

  • Agreement in principle with Barcelona if right fee offered.
  • Sam Lee: City want Enzo Fernandez as a Rodri replacement, but it will cost ~£120m; Chelsea relations strained after poaching Maresca.

• Recent Signings

  • Spent big in January on Semenyo, Mart Gay, Elliot Anderson.
  • Business has been brought forward; may not need further major moves.

Quote (Sam Lee):

“City want [Enzo Fernandez]... [Maresca] is a big fan... The problem is, it’d be about £120 million. Chelsea and City are not on the greatest terms after Maresca left them and went to City this summer.” (24:20)

---

5. Chelsea: Experience at Last, But Bloated Squad

Timestamps: 25:48 – 28:56

• New Faces: Signed experienced players (Henderson, Welbeck); management changes (Xabi Alonso in).
• Departures: Kukurela (good for squad balance), Trevor Chaliba (loss for fans/community).
• Need for a New Keeper: Analysis says it’s overdue, yet club appears content with current options.
• Squad Size Still a Problem: Still the biggest spenders (over £300m) but now plan to push out surplus players.

Jay Harris:

“We’ve been screaming for them for years to change to sign more older players and they’ve finally done that, so I think that should be... [acknowledged].” (28:41)

---

6. Discussion of the Day – Best Value Transfer

Timestamps: 29:43 – 31:57

• Tim Spears: Joe Gomez to Villa (“38m – Brazil international, made more tackles than anyone since 2023, a terrier”—30:31)

• Jay Harris: Tielemans to United outstanding value, plus Spurs’ free deals for Robertson & Senesi.

• Listener picks: Tielemans (again), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal), Solace (Arsenal – “defends like a demon”).

---

7. Losers: Clubs with More Work to Do

Timestamps: 34:56 – 46:48

Liverpool

• Defensive Frailties

  • Only fit CBs: Van Dijk and Araujo (new loan from Barca).
  • Depth thin in defense, right back big issue (injuries to Bradley, Frimpong unreliable).

• Attack and Midfield Depth Concerns

  • Right forward options limited to Chiesa or youth.
  • Key departures: Salah, Konate, Robertson—all in decline last season.

• Overall Judgment

  • “Purely on the defensive issues alone, I’m quite concerned.” – Jay Harris (37:44)

Newcastle

• Major Talent Drain

  • Lost key players (Isak, Tonali, Guimaraes expected/linked to exit).
  • Signings focused on youth with little experience; struggled to attract first-choice targets.
  • Managerial change (Howe out, new direction planned).

• “There’s been a massive experience and talent drain and that must be pretty off putting for people who want to join the club at the moment.” – Jay Harris (40:03)

• “That’s my biggest concern: not the players they’ve lost, but who they’re going to bring in and the other kids they’ve signed so far. That’s a huge risk.” – Tim Spears (43:17)

Fulham

• Lost Key Players AND Manager
  • Out: Raul Jimenez, Harry Wilson, Issa Diop, Marco Silva (manager).
  • “They’ve got the biggest question mark over them going into the season for me.” – Tim Spears (46:05)

Other Clubs

• Aston Villa

  • Mixed business: Garnacho a wild card; Manzambi considered a premium buy post-World Cup. Joe Gomez a standout addition.

• Leeds

  • Added Harry Wilson (key move, much needed attacking quality), James Trafford.

• Brentford

  • Classic smart business: Sangari brought in to replace Henderson, Callum Wilson for attacking depth (“always do good business”).

---

Winners & Losers Roundup

Timestamps: 50:28 – 51:19

• Best Window (so far): Spurs or Arsenal (divided opinion)
• Biggest Losers: Newcastle, with a case for Liverpool
• Spurs praised for ambition and quality, but with asterisks about squad balance.
• Arsenal seen as strengthening wisely, though they failed to land their top, “statement” target.

Jay Harris:

“I can change my answer in three weeks’ time!” (50:44)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spurs’ Summer
  “Can't let [relegation-threat] happen again because it has happened for the last two seasons. I think it's an overcorrection as well, from years of not spending that money.” – Jay Harris (04:30)

• On Arsenal & Vinicius Jr.
  "All my Arsenal supporting friends were getting massively carried away... The shirt sales would have been insane. People would have just converged on the Emirates and had a bit of a party." – Tim Spears (13:44)

• On United’s Sensible Business
  “It’s not fun for us though, when they’re being sensible in the transfer market.” – Jay Harris (21:04)

• On Newcastle's Struggles
  “You can’t just have a starting eleven of players who are under the age of 23. You need to have experience alongside them.” – Jay Harris (41:49)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Spurs Transfer Overhaul: 03:15 – 12:27
• Arsenal’s Window & Missed Targets: 12:27 – 16:53
• Man United’s Sensible Window: 19:55 – 21:49
• Man City’s Strategy & Enzo Fernandez: 22:04 – 25:08
• Chelsea’s Experience & Keeper Debate: 25:48 – 28:56
• Transfer Value Gems: 29:43 – 31:57
• Losers: Liverpool, Newcastle, Fulham: 34:56 – 46:48
• Final Winner/Loser Judgments: 50:28 – 51:19

---

Conclusion

This episode provided a comprehensive, entertaining, and occasionally contrarian assessment of the Premier League transfer window in summer 2026. Spurs impressed with their ambition (but face questions on squad balance and fitness), Arsenal improved an already-champion squad but missed out on stardust, and Man United quietly solidified. Liverpool and Newcastle have concerning gaps, while Fulham face an era of uncertainty.

For further discussion and club deep-dives, follow The Athletic FC Podcast on Threads and participate in their “Discussion of the Day” feature.

---

Transcript

[Discover Cash Back Card Advertiser]

With the Discover Cash Back card, it's payback time. When you earn cash back on everyday purchases. Activate and earn 5% cash back at different categories each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases. That's 5% cash back at different places each quarter. Like grocery stores, on gas and at restaurants, it pays to discover terms apply. See discover.com 5 for details.

[Workday Advertiser]

Guessing is for game shows, not your business. Workday is the enterprise AI platform for HR finance. And with AI grounded in your context to get work done and done right, it's a new work day.

[Pablo Torre]

Hey, this is Pablo Torre from Pablo Torre finds out and today I want to talk to you about Boost Mobile. In sports, there's always pressure to chase the next big thing, but sometimes the smartest play is sticking with what's already working for you. Boost Mobile gets that if your phone is running fine, you should not have to buy a new one just to get a better deal. Bring your phone to Boost Mobile and get unlimited wireless for just $25 a month. Forever. No contracts, no price hikes. Visit Boost Mobile, unlock your phone. $25 forever requires customers to remain active on the Boost Mobile unlimited plan.

[Discover Cash Back Card Advertiser]

The Athletic FC

[Adam Leventhal]

Hi there and welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Adam Levanthal. So, would the Premier League kickoff just around the corner? Which clubs have got their business spot on and who has a lot of work left to do? Well, alongside me from the Athletic is Tim Spears, who is basically the biggest ranker at the Athletic, aren't you? And you are perfect for this.

[Tim Spears]

Hello, Adam.

[Adam Leventhal]

No, would you want to put some context around that or. I mean, you are. You are a ranker and you are. You do so well, I think.

[Tim Spears]

Yeah. Thanks very much. Yeah, no, I guess the context is that I tend to get asked to put stuff in order as per the athletics. Sort of. Well, they're very popular articles.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah. Massive around the World cup, weren't they?

[Tim Spears]

Yes, yes. Which team is the best? There was no other way to decide. So, you know.

[Sam Lee]

Exactly.

[Adam Leventhal]

And Jay Harris.

[Jay Harris]

That's a bit of a letdown, that introduction off the back of it.

[Adam Leventhal]

How are you?

[Jay Harris]

I'm all good. How are you?

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, good, good. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into this because basically what we're going to do is split some of the clubs into two main categories on their transfer business. Those who've impressed us, the winners, and those who are sort of concerning us at the moment, we'll call them the losers. But it is caveated, obviously, that the transfer window is still open and it can change at any time. And on that note, we obviously have the transfer deal sheet on the Athletic, which drops the every Tuesday. Keeps you up to date with all of the transfer details. So do get in touch with that. Don't get in touch with it, just read it. It's really good. Right, we're going to get into some of those transfers along the way, but let's start with. With some winners. Are we happy with spurs being a winner?

[Jay Harris]

Definitely, yeah. Why wouldn't they be, White?

[Adam Leventhal]

Well, because. Because spurs, they finished 17th last season, two points above relegation. They have been a basket case of a club. So how do we know whether what they've done in the transfer market will make them winners?

[Jay Harris]

Because if we told you on that final day of the season when they've just scraped a 10 victory over Everton, that they were going to break their transfer record twice. Beat off competition from Manchester United to sign Matthias Fernandes. Beat off competition from Man City to sign Sandro Tonali. Get Jean Paul Van Hecker, Marco Senesi, Andy Robertson. I don't think you'd believe that all of that stuff would. Would happen. I remember at the time, the beginning of the window after they, you know, completed the deals with Van Hecker, Robertson, Senesi, and a lot of those deals we sort of knew about before the end of the window and it was all dependent upon whether spurs would stay up or not. So we weren't really surprised by those moves. And then we were seeing them link with Tonali and Fernandez. Okay, that's a great show of intent and ambition. Are you actually going to pull it off? And pulling one of them off would have been impressive. Pulling both off, I think really tells people that there's been a bit of a. I know it's the same people in charge, but now Levy's no longer there. Does feel like it's a bit of a new era at Spurs.

[Adam Leventhal]

Is it a reaction as well to how close they came to. To getting relegated? Like, we can't let this happen again.

[Jay Harris]

Can't let it happen again because it

[Adam Leventhal]

has happened for the last two seasons.

[Jay Harris]

I think it's an overcorrection as well, from years of not spending that money. They've gone big on wages. I think you can also see that in the contract renewals. You know, Pedro Porra signed a new deal, Mickey Van de Ven, last night, that was confirmed. Antoninki as well. So not only are they spending more money on players coming in in terms of their salary, but they're also giving the players who are currently at the club. Better deals. I think the only question mark about spurs transfer activity this summer is further forward because they've got some real issues there.

[Adam Leventhal]

Are we being blinded by new is different is better or is this. Is this solid business?

[Tim Spears]

The players, they've brought in a really, really good additions. I think you can argue that they've overspent, but I think right now it doesn't seem to really matter, you know,

[Adam Leventhal]

so even spurs can't mess this up with those players.

[Tim Spears]

I mean, Matus Fernandez is an incredible addition. Probably one of the signings of the summer. They have overpaid for him, I think considering he only cost what, 40 million a year ago for. For West Ham. But just. Yeah, he, he will run that midfield. I think he's got potential to improve quite a lot. Tonali, very good addition. Van Hecker, These are like ready made, you know, Premier League players. I think the. What the. The one sort of, you know, question mark, as Jay said, was like, have they concentrated all that money in. In one specific area, midfield? Whereas if you're going to spend 185 million on Tonali and what's the jobs Fernandez, then maybe one of those should have been a forward rather than midfielder. Because for my mind and Jay might disagree, you know, when you've got Bergwaal and Gray, who can get better Gallagher, then ahead of them you got Madison, Xavi, Simmons and Kulasevski. I know there's huge sort of fitness issues over all of them, but they're all at the club and they're all still being paid very handsome wages. So they've got midfield was the least of their concerns for me. They've improved it, but still I think you'd rather seen that money channeled into forward areas. But maybe we'll still see that in the club.

[Discover Cash Back Card Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

Do you expect them to find a marksman somewhere and sign a striker?

[Jay Harris]

I think they have to. Currently it looks like their front three for the first game of the season against Brentford could be Matisse. Tell Dominic Solanke and Conor Gallagher playing out a position on the right wing. Mama Kudis didn't go on their pre season tour because he's still recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in January. I think he's back in full training now, but he's been out for six, seven months, so I don't think you can assume he's going to be ready enough to. To start in time for that Brentford game. As Tim sort of alluded to, Xavi Simmons suffered an ACL. He's not going to play in 2027. Wilson Otterben might be back by the end of the year. He also suffered an acl. Madison didn't play on the pre season. Tour de Zerbi called it a small problem. Madison's just coming back from two ACLs, so I don't know if you can rely on him to play consistently and it will probably take a little bit of time for him to get back to his best. Then further forward you've got Richarlison, who has deficiencies in his game, shall we say, but can be a decent enough goalscorer. I don't know if you'd want to keep him permanently. Solanke's had issues of injuries over the last year, so it's just Fredbear further forward. It's completely right what Tim's saying. Fantastic to get those deals over the line at the beginning of the summer. Transfer, would you. Window. Would you have looked at their midfield and said that was the biggest issue? No. So if they don't go on to get Savinho or whoever it is further forward, then questions will be raised.

[Adam Leventhal]

So they're winning the window at the moment.

[Sam Lee]

Spurs,

[Adam Leventhal]

they are top. I'm asking the ranker. Okay. If you had to do who's winning the window? Tim Spears, our resident ranker, puts. Well, you are. You are. It's fine, you know, it's fine to be that. It's fine.

[Tim Spears]

You're really running with that.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, I'm going with it hard. Okay. Would you. Who would you put top?

[Tim Spears]

I think to. To. To bring in those sort of maybe arse nicely.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay. So it wouldn't be spurs for now. That's fine. That's fine. Because obviously I wanted to.

[Tim Spears]

What Jay's just outlined in terms of the attack on the opening day. You can't. Can you say they win the window if they start with that attack at the start of the season? I know they've got huge injury problems and it's. Yeah, it's a real tough one, all these players.

[Jay Harris]

The tricky situation spurs are in is that they've got so many attacking players out injured who will return at some point. As Tim said, they're being paid handsome wages. Kulasevski as well. So the situation you could end up in is you go and sign loads of attacking players this summer, then come January, February time, you basically just have too many players. But I think spurs is sort of their own fault they're in that situation. So you basically have to overstock on players. You can't go into the season light on numbers, hoping that Xavi will come back, Kulasevski will come back, Olive will come back and they'll be at their previous level. I just don't think you can take that risk.

[Tim Spears]

Have they made additions in the medical department? That would be my question.

[Jay Harris]

They have changed that.

[Tim Spears]

Yeah.

[Jay Harris]

Well, a new.

[Adam Leventhal]

So they're not going to get a spate of injuries when they start working hard.

[Jay Harris]

So a new performance director came in in. I think he started in February. His name's Dan Lunden, who'd worked with the City Football Group and he's, I think, led an investigation at the club over the last few months, looking into areas of the. I guess from the train, the quality of the training pitches, the stadium. I know there's been lots of online rumors about the fact they've got a retractable pitch and they've suffered quite a few ACLs. And I know it's the same with Real Madrid. They've looked into various different bits and pieces like that to just basically work out if there are any ways they can improve things. There's an acknowledgment that having four different head coaches in two years has had a massive factor because they all want to train in different ways, they want to play in different ways, and then you're putting a different load on players bodies. I don't want to overtake the transfer podcast too much with medical lingo. I've been watching a lot of Scrubs recently, so maybe that's why it's fresh in my brain. But, yeah, that's the sort of short version of it.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay, so we will. We'll wait and see on spurs because I'm. Well, I'm not as convinced as you two that it's going to be the complete answer because they've spent this money already, because it is, but because the

[Tim Spears]

question is, you know, is the question getting to Champions League or is it let's top 10 and build.

[Adam Leventhal]

But when you've spent all that money, you have to get into the Champions League, Right?

[Jay Harris]

We should. We should.

[Adam Leventhal]

We should also do.

[Jay Harris]

I was going to take it in a different direction and say we should credit spurs with the fact that they have sold better this window than they have previously as well. So, yes, they've spent a lot of money, but they brought in 46 million pounds for Vuskovic, they've sold Will Lancashire and it looks like Ashley Phillips is going to Middlesbrough as well.

[Adam Leventhal]

It's just odds and sods though, isn't it?

[Jay Harris]

Not really, because Lancashire and Phillips, if they're if certain add ons are met, they'll get £20 million for both of those players who are not members of the first team squad. Small change on loan.

[Adam Leventhal]

Small change. Small change. Yeah, small change. Small change. You're in the big league now, come on. Spending £100 million on tonali and things like that.

[Jay Harris]

Yeah. And so Vuskovic, Phillips and Lancashire could pay for Fernandez.

[Adam Leventhal]

And one other one on Spurs. Obviously the incomings have been eye catching. Jed Spence potentially heading away.

[Jay Harris]

Yeah, it looks like he could be on his way to Inter Milan which I'm sure will surprise quite a few people because he was one of the heroes of England's World Cup. It seemed like he was constantly making these lung busting runs and these dramatic tackles or blocks or whatever it was. And I think maybe people who don't watch spurs week in, week out, their view of him really enhanced and

[Pablo Torre]

I

[Jay Harris]

guess it's a little bit bittersweet. His journey at spurs over the last few years has been remarkable. It looked like at one point, you know, Conte famously called him a club signing. It felt like he was never going to get his chance. He went out on loan to Ren and Genoa, eventually comes back and works his way into the team on the postecoglou. I think he's very valuable because of his ver versatility to play left back or right back. But spurs at the moment they've got Pedro Porro, World cup winner with Spain, first choice right back. He's not going anywhere. He's just signed a new deal. On the left hand side they've got Andy Robertson, destiny Odoghi, even Ben Davies is still there. They've got soaza, the young 19 year old Brazilian they signed earlier this year. So Spence's performances at the World cup probably mean that he deserves to go and be first choice somewhere. So you can't really begrudge him this opportunity if that's what happens.

[Adam Leventhal]

Let's go to the other side of North London. To the champions, to Arsenal finish seven points above Manchester City. What have you made up there? Business and do you put them, you put them top, do you?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, I just think that they've got the best. They had the best team and arguably squad in the league and they've made it better. I think you can argue that they've upgraded certainly midfield. Bruno Guimaraes coming in is maybe not a game changer but just a very good addition that's going to improve them. However, losing out on Vinicius JR is obviously serious blow. You know, just the way the way that it built up over a few days and I mean, the guy just clearly wanted a new contract.

[Adam Leventhal]

He played a blinder.

[Jay Harris]

Yeah, yeah, they all played a blinder.

[Tim Spears]

Arsenal got played.

[Adam Leventhal]

Well, Arsenal didn't.

[Jay Harris]

No, I mean, as in from the Real Madrid side. And I just think it was all the moment there was any sort of real sense of, oh, he might actually entertain. Arsenal just. Madrid went, yeah, that's not going to happen, and just, just did it.

[Adam Leventhal]

So do you think it. Do Arsenal have their. Do they qualify as having their fingers burnt or, or saying it's good for them to have been in the conversation? I don't necessarily buy that. I, I almost think like, if you're, if you're flirting with a big star,

[Tim Spears]

you got to land it. Yeah, you got to land it. No, you have like, like, like Man United used to do every year they, they win the league, they go out and normally made one big statement signing, be that Van Nistelrooy or Stam or Van Persie, you know, I don't think Bruno Guimaras quite qualifies in that bracket. All my Arsenal supporting friends were getting massively carried away. Like there was real excitement about him coming in. The shirt sales would have been insane. You know, I can genuinely imagine if they signed Vinicius Junior. People would have just converged on the Emirates and just like had a bit of a party. They're obviously in that mode this summer, you know, so. So yeah, it's a blow. It may have seen what they can do in the rest of the window. And then there's a celebra issue which needs sorting out. As in to bring in a center back. It's a bit mysterious to know how long he's out for. Arteta's not talking about it.

[Adam Leventhal]

It's an extended period is the term that they're using, isn't it?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, I mean, they got. Do you know what they got? Mascara, who's an excellent backup and was probably one of the best signings pound for pound of the season last season for any club. 13 million. And he, he did far better than I think anyone expected in his. In his first season. But yeah, they've upgraded the squad. They look, they look really solid. And I think I would expect more to come from Eza and Gyokeres who didn't quite hit the heights that we know they're capable of last season.

[Adam Leventhal]

And on the centre back issue, do you think that there's enough cover within if there was another significant injury in the centre back position whilst Saliba is Out, you know, players that could move across, White, Calafury and Kapier or whoever they want to. They want to move in there or do you need to bring in. It's similar to the situation at spurs where you think, well, we're not sure how they're going to come back. Do you have to upgrade? Do you have to go and get a concert? Do you. Do you believe that Romero would ever go to Arsenal? And why would Arsenal want Romero? Because there's been. That's been talked about. There's some mention of it and explanation

[Jay Harris]

of what we reported on it. It's not just come out of. Yeah, no, no, I know on Romero. We've reported pretty much throughout the whole summer that he's probably going to leave Spurs.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah.

[Jay Harris]

And Athletico Madrid have always had long standing interest in him. I think we reported in the deal sheet that there's a verbal agreement between spurs and Inter Milan for around. I think it's £40 million. He's not going to go to Arsenal, but I'm coming to it.

[Adam Leventhal]

Hang on.

[Jay Harris]

But Inter and Romero haven't agreed personal terms yet and then the Arsenal interest I think is pretty obvious. Who's Mikel Arteta as assistant coach?

[Adam Leventhal]

Tell me.

[Tim Spears]

Gabby Hindsa.

[Adam Leventhal]

Oh, Heinzer. Yeah, of course.

[Jay Harris]

So I'd imagine that that's an element of the pursuit and the interest. I have my concerns over. Over Romero on a football pitch. I think he's injured too much and I think he's suspended too much. But if you were, you can't really ignore that. But when he is fit and focused for Argentina, he's an aggressive ball playing centre back and that fits in with what Arteta wants. I think there are too many downsides if you were Arsenal to sign him. And that's also why I think spurs should sell him this summer for as much money as possible. I just don't think he's consistent enough and I think he breaks down too often.

[Adam Leventhal]

He's more of a liability than a lifesaver, isn't he?

[Jay Harris]

I think so, don't you think?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah. Talking of Gabby hindsight, I wrote a piece about him and Romero this week for like controversial moves that happened like, you know, Figo, did you rank those moves? Soul, Campbell. No, I didn't. Figo, Soul Campbell, etc And then moves that didn't happen. No player has transferred from between Manu and Liverpool since 1964. No one would dare do it. Gabby Heinzer wanted to do it. Liverpool sort of bid for him about 2010 kind of time. He was well up for it. And now he's the one. Yeah. Potentially trying to lure Romero. Those tors and tenures, they've just got

[Adam Leventhal]

no honor, the devil on his shoulder, just telling him, yeah, go on, do it, do it, do it.

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, Romero would totally do it. Yeah.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

Interesting.

[Jay Harris]

Just quickly on that note, when we reported it, I sort of quote, tweeted us online and said, spurs fans, how would you feel about this? And the range of responses sort of caught me off guard a little bit. You had some people saying you should never be allowed in the white half of North London ever again if he does this. You had some people who said, as long as we get a good amount of money for him, I couldn't care less. And you got some people saying, I drive him there myself because he would definitely get sent off against us every season. And just that sense of he draws such inspiring different opinions from people. Such differing opinions from people. Some people think some spurs fans think he's amazing, Some spurs dancing is a massive liability. But long story short, he probably won't be at spurs come the end of the window.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, exactly. And more than likely to end up at Atletico Madrid or Inter Milan.

[Discover Cash Back Card Advertiser]

With the Discover Cash Back card. It's payback time. When you earn cash back on everyday purchases, activate and earn 5% cash back at different categories each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases. That's 5% cash back at different places each quarter. Like grocery stores, on gas and at restaurants, it pays to Discover terms apply. See discover.com 5 for details.

[Workday Advertiser]

Guessing is for game shows, not your business. Workday is the enterprise AI platform for HR finance and it with AI grounded in your context to get work done and done right, it's a new workday.

[Pablo Torre]

Hey, this is Pablo Torre from Pablo Torre finds out and today I want to talk to you about Boost Mobile. In sports, there's always pressure to chase the next big thing. But sometimes the smartest play is sticking with what's already working for you. Boost Mobile gets that if your phone is running fine, you should not have to buy a new one just to get a better deal. Bring your phone to Boost Mobile and get unlimited wireless for just $25 a month. Forever. No contracts, no price hikes. Visit Boost Mobile, unlock your phone. $25 forever requires customers to remain active on the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan.

[Adam Leventhal]

Right. I'm not quite sure where these three teams are going in terms of the winners and losers, the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea. So let's deal with where Manchester United are. First of all, I Quite like their business. They've sort of tinkered and they seem to have just sort of quietly strengthened. Is that. Is that a good assessment?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, I don't mind either, actually. Yeah, I like. I kind of like the. I mean, they've obviously made one exceptional addition in Tielemans. I think one of the signings of the summer. I know he's 29, but 35 million, it's not a huge amount of money for a player who's just going to come in and absolutely smash it. I think he's one of the best ball players in the Premier League. Andres Santos, we didn't see a sort of huge amount of him at Chelsea, but has done well in pre season. You know, he did well when he

[Adam Leventhal]

came in when they were missing Caiceda and they needed him. I thought he did well, didn't he?

[Tim Spears]

The fact that Chelsea's sort of happy to let him go would be a little alarm bell, but, you know.

[Adam Leventhal]

But is that maybe not him sort of going, I deserve to be playing more because you've seen my body of work when I stepped in.

[Tim Spears]

Body of work. I like that. Yeah, potentially. Yeah. I think there's a real sort of calmness and sort of consistency. What Man United need after years of sort of turmoil and turbulence and.

[Jay Harris]

Yeah, but it's not fun for us though, when they're being sensible in the transfer market.

[Tim Spears]

Yeah. But I. I think like sort of with a couple Arsenal players I mentioned earlier, we can expect improvements from. I think Cesco will have a good season if he stays fit. Someone like Lenny Oro coming on like leaps and bounds year after year. Ahmad Diallo, I think we can expect more from him. I think a little bit more depth for Champions League is where I would raise a little alarm bell. And the fact, I mean, it's nuts really. The fact that Man United and Liverpool's head coaches are about to embark on their first ever European campaigns, that's got to be unprecedented in those two clubs history and how they handle that and how in terms of rotation and squad depth is going to define both of their seasons. I think certainly Man United.

[Adam Leventhal]

So winners or losers at the moment?

[Tim Spears]

Do we have to. Can we not just say, you know,

[Adam Leventhal]

do we have to? Come on, you're making your bucks on doing this day in, day out.

[Tim Spears]

No, definitely not. Losers.

[Adam Leventhal]

Good, fine. So there are more winners than losers. Sure, yeah, yeah, fine, good. Manchester City. This is an interesting one in terms of what might happen and the knock on effect. For example, obviously you start at Rodri and you go, okay, there's an agreement sort of in principle for him to go there if Barcelona pay enough money. That's the detail in, in the deal sheet today. And then if he does go, who do they get in? In addition to having brought in Elliot Anderson, talk about Enzo Fernandez, there's talk about Boadi as well. So I, I'm not quite sure where they, where they fit into this.

[Jay Harris]

I think firstly, as we saw when Arnaslot first took over at Liverpool, I think they only made, was Chiesa the only signing they made that summer. They went on to win the league. So sometimes there can be a sense of you have to do something when actually maybe the best thing is to just work with the current squad. You've got Tinker, understand them a little bit better and go on from there. We can't overlook the fact that Man City have spent a lot of money in the last 12 months. So they signed Semenya and Mart Gay in January. If we were saying if they'd done that in this summer we'd be saying oh, they're on the window, they've got some Gay. But I think it's been quite well reported on by Sam Lee, our colleague, that Man City actually just basically brought a lot of their spending and their plans for the summer forward to, to January. So when you put it in that context, in the last six months they've got Gay, Semeno Anderson, they might move on from Roger and bring in a slightly younger midfielder then I think you'd say that's, that's pretty good business. And look, Rodri was phenomenal at the World cup, there's no doubt about it. But I remember there was a game last season, I think when Man City lost to Bodo Glimps in the Champions League and people were saying he was, he was finished. So I'm not saying, I'm not saying he is finished. I'm not saying he's back at the levels he was showing pre ACL. But if you can get 45, 50 million pounds euros, whatever it is for a 30 year old midfielder who has had some, some struggles since he came back from a really serious injury and you can put that in a younger midfielder, maybe that's not the worst deal in the world.

[Adam Leventhal]

Let's check in with Sam Lee who you mentioned, our Manchester City correspondent on those links to Enzo Fernandez. Let's have a listen.

[Sam Lee]

Manchester City want Enzo Fernandez. In truth they have done all summer. Enzo Maresco is a big fan of his. City want him for the midfield. Obviously they could be losing. Rodri could Be losing rod grinders as well. And Enzo Fernandez's all action style is very well suited to Maresca's game plan. Obviously they work together with Chelsea. Maresca is a big fan of him and he knows that that kind of energy and bite is needed in the Premier League and it's needed as City kind of build a midfield going forward. Problem is It'd be about £120 million. Chelsea and City are not on the greatest terms after Maresca left them and went to City this summer. So it's very difficult. There's not long left in the window, but it is something that City like the idea of and it is something to keep an eye on.

[Adam Leventhal]

So watch this space. Tim, do you think that that would be the signing if they lose Rodri?

[Tim Spears]

Enzo de Fernandez for Rodri?

[Adam Leventhal]

Well, in addition to the other strengthening that they've done there with Elliot Anderson,

[Tim Spears]

I think Fernandez would be a really good addition. 120 million is crazy money though. Like, you know, is it not worth it? You think he justified that fee last last season?

[Adam Leventhal]

Not necessarily, but Chelsea were a bit choppy, weren't they, last season?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, a lot of that was down to his performances. I think a lot of the players going through him and he didn't really deliver. I thought he was good, but not good, but not great.

[Adam Leventhal]

You're anti Enzo Fernandez now, aren't you? Especially after the World Cup.

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, I've got a huge anti Argentine bias going on right now.

[Adam Leventhal]

You do. You're still living very much in the World Cup. That's fine. Okay, well, let's deal with what Chelsea have done. We've done the two Manchester clubs and we spoke about their transfer business in pretty good detail last week. So you can check out that, that podcast. But just in, in general terms, there's been a lot going on. They've spent over 300 million, which is sort of on trend for them. Do you think that they are a better offering now? And obviously they brought in Xavi Alonso as well as a new gaffer.

[Jay Harris]

I think the fact that they've signed experience and I know it's become a bit of a cliche in this window, but I do think that's a really good thing just to have people like Henderson a Welbeck to show the way forward. Even the choir, the one there are a couple of people they've sold which I think is a shame for them. Kukurea, good one because I thought he was pretty exceptional for them last season. And I think Trevor Chaliba as well. I don't Begrudge him the fact that he's moved to Como. It's a fantastic move for him but lovely players over the last few years. He's just been a very dedicated servant to Chelsea, someone who came through the academy. Those types of players are important for the fans. You know, there was that season where he went on loan to Crystal Palace. They dragged him back when they needed him in an emergency. He was just dependable. You know, they've got people like Tosin Adarabayo who's been there for a year and I don't think he's had the same impact. But Chaliba, the academy graduate is the one who's gone and I sort of imagine a world where actually you'd prefer to keep the. I think Chaliba's 27. The 27 year old Academy graduate who's been around, understands the club. So I look at that and think that's a little bit of a shame. But the fact that he's not been replaced, position wise, but the fact that Werbeck and Henderson have come in maybe offsets that lack of experience a little bit or that loss of experience rather.

[Adam Leventhal]

Do Chelsea need a new keeper?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, they've needed one for. I don't understand. Do not. Don't get it.

[Adam Leventhal]

But the intel in the deal sheet says he's happy with his three keepers at the moment.

[Tim Spears]

Just.

[Quint Advertiser]

I just.

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, just don't get it. He's been, he's been. He got better towards the second half of last season but he's been a weakness for them for years. I just don't understand, you know, James Trafford or Senor Llamas, like, why are they not in for. For these kind of keepers they have had, they've had almost like a low key summer by their standards and they're still the highest spenders and they brought in seven first team players like, you know, we outlined on the pod last week. 13 first team forward, 13, what is it, 10 to 12 centre backs? I'll lose count. So, yeah, this bizarre situation where they massively overload in certain areas and they refused to sign a.

[Adam Leventhal]

But by all accounts the intel in, in the deal sheet is that they are now going to be pushing players out or selling them is another way of putting it. Yeah.

[Tim Spears]

With no Europe, it's crazy how big their squad is. They've got a lot of work to do to streamline it.

[Adam Leventhal]

So just very quickly, Manchester United, you're putting more winners than losers. Manchester City more winners than losers. Yeah, yeah. And Chelsea, I know you'd probably Want to put them more losers than winners. Obviously.

[Jay Harris]

I think they're more winners.

[Adam Leventhal]

You're more winners.

[Jay Harris]

I think we've been screaming for them for years to change. To change their policy of signing, to sign more older players and they've finally done that. So I think that should be ignorant.

[Adam Leventhal]

A couple of old dudes and they're now winners, are they? Come on.

[Jay Harris]

It's just what they need. Do you know what I mean?

[Adam Leventhal]

That's what they needed. Okay, so. Okay, so more winners than losers and you're saying, Chelsea, more winners than losers. Yeah.

[Tim Spears]

In terms of the players they've brought in, Morgan Rodgers is at brilliant sign. We're going to talk about the price because it's insane. Yeah, but just to sign Morgan Rogers is like. Just to sign Tonali, that fantastic addition. Like they'll worry about the accounts and pay their 10 million pound fine for breaking the rules year after year. Doesn't matter, does it? Doesn't matter. Great signing.

[Adam Leventhal]

Even though you've got Cole Palmer already. I know he can do different things, but do you need. Do you need them both?

[Jay Harris]

Palmer's not had that good of the last 18 months, but he will be

[Adam Leventhal]

rejuvenated after sitting at home watching the World Cup.

[Jay Harris]

Well, he fell asleep during the England game, so he wasn't really watching the

[Adam Leventhal]

World cup, was he Is relaxed and ready to go.

[Jay Harris]

I think he's always relaxed and ready to go. Let's be serious.

[Adam Leventhal]

That's true. Okay, now to our discussion of the day, sponsored by Threads. Now, last night we asked our Threads followers, who is the best value transfer so far this summer? Um, we'll get to some of your responses. Thank you very much for sending those in. But first to Tim. Give me an answer then. Is this.

[Tim Spears]

Is this for any club in the. In the Premier League?

[Jay Harris]

Yes, any club in the world. Really? It just says best value transfer so far.

[Adam Leventhal]

No, no, no, no. Don't say any club in the world because he'll say Raul Jimenez going back to Wolves or it's great to have him back and all that.

[Tim Spears]

I mean, I wouldn't say it in that voice, but. No, I'd say Kieran Trippier, actually. Another great big business.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, of course. Come on then, answer. Go.

[Tim Spears]

I mean, are you just going to accuse me of bias? But I couldn't care less what you say. I'm far more about Jay's opinion.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, that's fine.

[Tim Spears]

Joe Gomez to Villa is unbelievable. It's a hell of a signing. 38,000,025 Brazil international Since his debut in the Premier League in 2023, no player across Europe's top five leagues has made more tackles than Joe Gomez. He is a terrier and he was a level above.

[Adam Leventhal]

Isn't that just because teams were running through wolves and he was a level

[Tim Spears]

above anyone in that Wolves team last season. He was playing passes that nobody could relate to.

[Adam Leventhal]

So he was the good player that you had.

[Tim Spears]

Oh, he was a level, honestly, especially when you watch him in person. A level above the utter dross that we were putting out week after week. He's flying in pre season, I think. Yeah, it's gone under the radar and it's a really good signing.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay, fair enough. I like it. Jay.

[Jay Harris]

I think me and Tim have mentioned it already, but Telemans to Man United I think is a really good deal. It's sort of a sensible deal that Manchester United have not done enough over the last few years. If I had to pick something different, maybe with my spurs hat on. I do think getting Robertson and Tennessee on free transfers is pretty decent business, which clearly upgrades the squad and it didn't cost them that much.

[Adam Leventhal]

Boba K agrees with you on Telemans for 35 million. Ryan Sketch says. As much as it hurts me as a Liverpool fan, I've got to go with Bruno Gemma Reich going to Arsenal and another signing for Arsenal Solace if he can carry on this form into the league. Defends like a demon and looks like he's going to do something every time he gets near the box. That's from Dan Sayers.

[Tim Spears]

Should have mentioned him earlier when I was talking about Arsenal. I'm also going to give a very quick shout out to Ipswich who does some really interesting business like Fatou from from Leicester for 20 million. He is just a take on machine. Yeah, and Maeda from Celtic. That could go one way, could go another, but obviously he's done very well in Scotland. And Florentina Luiz as well from Florentina Luis from Burnley last season. Very good tackling stats, good dm. So yeah, they've done a lot of interesting Issa Diop as well.

[Adam Leventhal]

They brought him in.

[Tim Spears]

He's a Diop.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, I think he's a good centre back.

[Tim Spears]

They're doing things differently to last time.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, they are. Okay, for your chance to be featured in our next Discussion of the Day feature, head over to Threads, Follow the Athletic FC and you can join the conversation.

[Quint Advertiser]

August is the perfect time to hit reset before the autumn rush begins and honestly I can't think of a better place to start than my closet and that's why I love shopping at Quint. Quint is all about fewer, better pieces. Their clothes are made with premium materials, built to last and designed to become the ones you reach for day after day. And Quint specializes in everyday staples that work harder, like that ultra strong strong organic cotton tees and premium Mongolian cashmere sweaters. They're versatile, timeless and transition seamlessly from a casual workday to a dinner out. I absolutely love their organic cotton long sleeve peak polo in heather gray. It's a classic polo but it's got just the right amount of spandex in the weave so it stretches just so and looks good wash after wash. For me it's a work from home staple and it's great for a night out too. So upgrade your everyday Every day. Go to quince.com athleticfc for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. And the great news is Quince is now available in Canada and the UK too. So upgrade your everyday Download the Quint app for app exclusive offers or go to quints.com athleticfc get free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. And the good news is Quint is now available in Canada and the UK too. That's quince.com. Athletic fc quint.com athletic fc.

[Workday Advertiser]

Guessing is for game shows, not your business. Workday is the enterprise AI platform for HR finance and IT with AI grounded in your context to get work done and done right.

[Discover Cash Back Card Advertiser]

It's a new workday with the Discover Cash Back card. It's payback time when you earn cash back on everyday purchases. Activate and earn 5% cash back at different categories each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases. That's 5% cash back at different places each quarter. Like grocery stores, on gas and at restaurants, it pays to Discover terms apply. See discover.com 5 for details.

[Adam Leventhal]

So we're going to get stuck into more losers than winners. That's what Tim's told me to sort of categorize them as. And just a reminder, deadline day in the UK for the Premier League. Tuesday, September 1st at 11pm it's the same in Spain, 7pm that day in Italy and it closes a day earlier in Germany and France. So who are the do you know?

[Jay Harris]

I've just realized you should have made him do during this episode. Blind Rank the teams as they go along as to where they are in the league. But it's too late now.

[Tim Spears]

Blind? Why has he got to be blind?

[Jay Harris]

Just to say, oh, okay, we're midway through. Where do you think Chelsea are at this point and then, then we come down to Liverpool later on and you've got to say, oh, but it's too late now.

[Adam Leventhal]

He doesn't blind.

[Jay Harris]

You didn't make use of the resident ranking.

[Adam Leventhal]

Blind rank.

[Tim Spears]

Eyes open.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, I was wide open. Okay.

[Jay Harris]

Right.

[Sam Lee]

Oh dear.

[Adam Leventhal]

That's silly. Let's deal with the teams that have work to do. Okay, so where do, where do, where do Liverpool sit in all of this? Because some people would say they did too much last summer and that's what sort of twisted their melon a little bit. Bringing Isak in and Ekateeka.

[Jay Harris]

Is that a phrase?

[Adam Leventhal]

It is to people of a certain age.

[Quint Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

All right. And I'm sure it'll be picked up in like 10 years time. The youngsters will be saying it. Okay, whatever. So it confused them. That's basically what I'm saying. By saying twisting the melon. What do you make of it at Liverpool?

[Jay Harris]

I think there are very obvious holes within that squad that haven't been addressed just yet. And defence is a big issue. I know they've just signed Ronald Araujo.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah.

[Jay Harris]

From Barcelona on loan. Which.

[Adam Leventhal]

He's a big unit, isn't he?

[Jay Harris]

Which seems like a pretty decent deal. I still got a lot of concerns about their right back situation. You know, Conor Bradley's injured. Jeremy Frimpong had a lot of muscle injuries last season and even when he was performing at his best at Bayer Leverkusen, he was more of a right wing back. He was positioned so high up the pitch. Joe Gomez I think is injured again. So you know, Van Dijk is sort of your Van Dyke and Rahul your only fit senior center backs. I know they've got Leoni who's coming back off an acl. They've got Jeremy Jacques who I believe is supposed to play in their final preseason game. I can't remember who it's against off the top of my head, but there's still, you know, a fair bit of expectation on someone who's a very young center back who's never played in the Premier League before. And I think that was a really big issue for them last season and I just don't think they've addressed it enough. And that's before we get into what's going on further up the pitch with the loss of Sadder etc, so purely on the defensive issues alone, I'm quite concerned.

[Adam Leventhal]

Tim.

[Tim Spears]

I think I've been reading some concern as to like they've lost experience and stuff, but I think Salah Konate And Robertson were like all on their way out. It's a good time to let them go to be honest. Salah and Konate had their worst seasons in Liverpool shirt last season. Robertson, you know Kirkes is the obvious sort of successor so no problem with those guys being let go. But they do have issues in terms of incomings. I mean they haven't got a right forward. I was reading James Pierce's piece the other day. As things stand they're playing a competitive match tomorrow. It's Chiesa or Kumas as your right forward options. And then they've got Gakpo, Ngoa and Munoz on the left so that's a huge concern. Michalis has only just come back this week from the World cup so you'd expect asking a lot of him to get up to speed for sort of the opening day. And yeah the other day against Monaco the first 11's still very good. But yeah against Monaco the other day the sort of midfield and squad depth issues were highlighted. They had Gravenberg and Szobozlai and Wirtz were the midfield but then they all went off and of course Iriola we know is going to ask a lot of them more than probably any coach in the league. So lasted sort of 90 minutes of that. Intensity level is going to be an issue. But the three that came on James McConnell, Harvey Elliott and Trey Nyoni. Nyoni, Nyoni, Nyone, Trey Unioni. Who's that guy? So like you know there are big issues with squad depth and you know you're looking at Van Dijk as the only sort of fit senior centre back as of this day. But he was way off it a lot of time last year. You're going to hang your hat on him as the best sort of centre back to lead you through this season, you know. Plus concerns about getting used to Iriola's style. They don't really have a proper DM in the whole squad. Yeah, there are serious sort of issues there.

[Adam Leventhal]

So work to do. More in the losers camp?

[Tim Spears]

Yes, definitely.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay Newcastle, let's deal with them. Obviously everyone's left.

[Jay Harris]

Tough summer?

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, really tough. And a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of work that the fans would probably still like them to do even though they've reinvested relatively well in terms of numbers. They've spent the Tonali money for example and they've. They can now spend the. The gimme money as well.

[Jay Harris]

I think the, the issue for them throughout the whole summer has been basically getting their first choice targets and we know what happened with Johannes Ambi who ended up going to Aston Villa. I think we reported in the deal sheet last week that there's Danish midfielder up FC Porto, Vitzer, Frog, who Newcastle interested in. But that's not really gone anywhere. It's just Newcastle are trying to be ambitious in the transfer market. They're just not getting anywhere with it. They had an offer rejected for Lucas Berbao at Spurs and you can't really blame any of those players for turning down Newcastle at the moment because at the end of the season, if you were saying, right, come play under Eddie Howe, you know, you'll have Guimara Sh and Tanali next to you or we'll lose one of them but we'll keep the other. You know, maybe we'll keep Gordon, we won't. Now you're thinking who am I going to be playing alongside? There's been a massive experience and talent drain and that must be pretty off putting for people who want to join the club at the moment. So it's a tough situation. Look, they have spent some money on some interesting players like Torre Bamba, the midfielder Sean Stir from Ajax. Highly rated but they're all very young and to put them under that much pressure to say bang, here you go, you've got to hit the ground running. You've got to replace people who won the Carabao cup with us and will go down as legends of this club. For winning the first piece of silverware in what, 50, 60, 70 years, however long it was, is a massive ask and I've witnessed it over the last couple of years at spurs and other people have seen it with Chelsea. Lots of Premier League clubs think let's sign players under the age of 23 and we'll develop them, we'll send them on for a profit. It's not that simple. You can't just have a. A starting 11 of players who are under the age of 23. You need to have experience alongside them. You need guidance and I think at the moment that's where there's a real mismatch in Newcastle squad. There's a lot of young, exciting talent in there but I don't know if they've got enough high quality experience around it to then help those players improve.

[Adam Leventhal]

They finished 12th last season, 10 points above the relegation zone. Are they going to finish closer to the relegation zone this season with the business that they've done?

[Tim Spears]

I think that's the prediction you have to make. What would concern me, okay, players move on and you know, to be fair, most of the departures have gone to like elite clubs. You know, Isaac obviously went to Liverpool last year.

[Adam Leventhal]

It was supposed to be a selling club, were they? That wasn't the dream, was it?

[Tim Spears]

That's all gone, hasn't it? One Carabao cup later is over and you know, obviously the biggest departure is in theory is anyhow. But I do think a change in manager is a good thing for Newcastle. I was surprised when it looked like he was going to stay on. I felt like he just slightly outstayed his welcome. I think the fans weren't having him anymore. They're sick of his excuses. And recruitment last summer, which you know, I think he was quite heavily involved in in terms of. You know, he got. There were players that he wanted was disastrous. They spent 200 million on four signings. Who were all on the bench at the end of the season. Terrible. Like Elanga Ramsey, Valtomardo and Visser. All really underwhelmed. Visser's had a good preseason off the back of a good World cup. But you know he's going to rely on good service. So yeah, we'll see what the new. What the new manager's gonna be like. It looks like it's gonna be very different. High energy, vertical football, high pressing. But you have to last summer. Do you trust them to spend the money wisely? That'll be my biggest concern. Not the players they've lost, but who they're going to bring in and the other kids they've signed so far. That's a huge risk.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay, so a couple of losers there. Liverpool and Newcastle according to Tim Spears. Let's touch on the business of a few other Premier League clubs who have caught our attention. Aston Villa. Like that. You like their business, don't you?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, well. Not sure about Garnacho, but it seems that they're contractually obliged to sign a. A winger who struggled at Man United and Chelsea. So he's this season's Jadon Sancho. Apparently it looked very good in preseason. He was compared to Lionel Messi by one of my friends. Not sure about that. But yeah. Manzambi.

[Adam Leventhal]

In what way?

[Tim Spears]

He's just quite. I don't know.

[Adam Leventhal]

Who are you hanging out with?

[Tim Spears]

So yeah, we'll see. He's like a huge unknown. I'm not sure he's Emory's type of player personally. You know, he's got to work hard to fit into that team. And we haven't really seen him do that in the past. But hey, who knows? People can change. So elsewhere. Manzambi like great Addition, they paid a slight World cup premium on him, I think. But J Gomez has discussed really condition they do need. I think they need a passing midfielder. They've lost T's creativity. I see they're interested in J Palina. Not sure about that. They got Boubacar Kamaru, who's one of the best.

[Jay Harris]

Palin doesn't solve the creativity and I think he's.

[Tim Spears]

He's a great player. But they've got. They've got one of the best dms in the league in Boubacar Kamara. I know he's just coming back from injury, which is maybe why they want someone else but him. Joe Gomez, mcin, obviously Anana's out as well. Midfield looks pretty good to me when they're all fit. So yeah, they've had quite a spendy summer by their standards.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay. I mean, for Villa fans thinking about Xiao Pollinha, what would they be. Should they be in any way excited about having him in the midfield?

[Jay Harris]

I think he is very good at performing a very specific role. And spurs fans should also celebrate the fact that he popped up with some massively crucial goals for them last year. So he's also a threat in the box, but if you want some, he's not going to be the Teleman's replacement. If he's someone who can take the pressure and the burden off Booba Kakamara, then that makes total sense. But he's not someone who's gonna dribble forward with the ball or make progressive passes, etc. He's a very safety first player, but some teams need that.

[Adam Leventhal]

Fulham interesting business or slightly concerning business considering the players that they've lost. Obviously Ralph Jimenez, the hero of Molyneux returning home. Harry Wilson. Issa Diop, who we also mentioned. I mean, losing Harry Wilson, yeah, I. That's a massive blow. I know he's left on a free and you know, there'll be contractual discussions going on for ages. He's gone to Leeds. They've lost three important players there, haven't they?

[Tim Spears]

And the manager.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah.

[Tim Spears]

Who's the one who's brought it all together. They're the biggest unknown for me. I know there are a lot of new managers in the Premier League this season, but I think we might be about to see just what a good job Marco Silva was doing year after year. They were very consistent with their style of play with the team who's putting out every single week. And yeah, losing Jimenez, you know, and Wilson, two big characters in the dressing room as well. Arbolo has come in brought a couple of guys from Real Madrid. Yeah, I'm not. Not convinced at all. They've got the biggest question mark over them going into the season for me.

[Adam Leventhal]

They're in the losers category for you, aren't they?

[Tim Spears]

Yeah, probably, yeah.

[Adam Leventhal]

You're worried about them?

[Tim Spears]

I am deeply concerned about Fulham's welfare.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah. Leeds, meanwhile, they've got Harry Wilson.

[Jay Harris]

They brought in.

[Adam Leventhal]

They've brought in James Trafford as well. They've. They've answered some of the questions from last season.

[Jay Harris]

Yeah, I think they're good moves for a team that performed really well in the Premier League anyways. Just sort of adding that extra layer of. Of quality. And good for them to get Wilson over the line because I think he was supposed to possibly go there last summer. It didn't happen and obviously he had the best season of his career, so there would have been lots of competition for his signing. They also got Tarik Maharmovic, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, who was tackled. He was tackled by Baligan. So I'm intrigued to actually know what this guy can do because probably for the rest of his life he's going to be known as the guy Baligan

[Adam Leventhal]

got sent because they would have had holes in.

[Jay Harris]

Yeah, but, yeah, smart moves.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay. And Brentford, your old stomping ground, they've been doing some Brentford business, haven't they? Good old Brentford.

[Jay Harris]

Why do you say it's such a demeaning way?

[Adam Leventhal]

No, no, no. I love Brentford and I love the way that. Yeah, I love the way that. No, look, hang on a minute. You think I hate them for their long throws.

[Jay Harris]

I know you told them that's old school. You moved on from that finally.

[Adam Leventhal]

But everyone's doing it now, so. I hated it when it was new. New long throws. But they always do good business. Yeah, they're clever with it.

[Jay Harris]

Yeah. And last summer was massive for Brentford in terms of there was just so much change and they managed to navigate it better than anybody expected. But they lost Thomas Frank, they lost Brian and Bumo, they lost Joan Visser, they signed Dango Watara for a club record fee. They were. So they lost Christian Norgaard as well, who was the captain. Mark Flecken, first choice goalkeeper. So much happened that this summer was naturally going to be more of a evolution as opposed to. To revolution. It's a really good move to get Mamadou Sangari in from Lens. Club record signing someone who basically replaces Jordan Henderson. Younger, more athletic, really interesting career. Spent quite a lot of time out on loan in Austria and Belgium and now got to the Premier League at the age of 24, I think it's really smart to bring in Jaden Anthony and Callum Wilson. Maybe they're not headline signings, but I think a big reason why Brentford just missed out on Europe last season was because they had no attacking depth whatsoever. They were really reliant on Igor Thiago to score goals. Wilson is someone who can come on in the latter stages of a game and take that pressure off Thiago. Jason Anthony had a really good season at Burnley. They signed Jannik Schuster, young center back from RB Salzburg as well. That is classic Brentford to me, Sangari and Schuster. So I think their squad's in a really good position. They don't seem too upset that Henderson's gone. So, yeah, let's see.

[Adam Leventhal]

Are you surprised no one's taken Thiago or wants Thiago? And is there potential of him getting snapped up?

[Jay Harris]

Not that I've heard of. Thiago had a fantastic season and I think it took people by surprise, but that was his second season in the Premier League. I think people forget his first season in the Premier League was basically defined by injuries. So I do sort of wonder if people are waiting to see if he can replicate the goal scoring and the availability that he had last season before they're prepared to commit big money on him. And he. I mean, he stunk the place out for Brazil at the World cup in that opening game and was never seen or heard from ever again. Bless him.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, maybe a bit harsh.

[Jay Harris]

I think he's a great. I think he's a great player. But Ancelotti gave him an opportunity in that first game. Brazil didn't look that good and he never played again, which is a shame.

[Tim Spears]

Who knew that Callum Wilson had gone to Brentford?

[Adam Leventhal]

That's.

[Tim Spears]

That's the first I've heard of it. Completely missed that one. You know when you have like, I don't know, time off or you're at the World cup or whatever and you just miss transfer and you never catch up on them. That is one that's news to me. Well done, Brentford.

[Adam Leventhal]

It's a good signing. It's a good signing. So top of the lot. Winning the transfer window so far is North London North Henceman and Jay spurs for now.

[Jay Harris]

And I can change my answer in three weeks time.

[Adam Leventhal]

And the biggest losers of the transfer window so far are Newcastle.

[Jay Harris]

I'm gonna say Liverpool.

[Adam Leventhal]

Okay, well, I enjoyed that. Thanks very much, Ranker. And thanks very much, Jay.

[Jay Harris]

No worries. It's our pleasure. Because we're now gonna get absolutely mocked for the decisions that we've made. So yeah, that's good.

[Adam Leventhal]

And I've stayed neutral throughout. I haven't given opinions on this. Just just blame Tim. He'll get the heat anyway in the comments and do fire them in on YouTube and on on Spotify or wherever you're listening to your podcast.

[Jay Harris]

Fire away. As a resident ranker.

[Adam Leventhal]

Yeah, exactly. You've got to get it right if you say it. We will be back tomorrow. Take care T.

[Pablo Torre]

Foreign.

[Discover Cash Back Card Advertiser]

With the Discover Cash Back Card, it's payback time. When you earn cash back on everyday purchases, activate and earn 5% cash back at different categories each quarter on up to $1,500 in purchases. That's 5% cash back at different places each quarter. Like grocery stores, on gas and at restaurants, it pays to Discover terms apply. See discover.com 5 for details.

[Workday Advertiser]

Hello, this is Katherine from the tennis podcast. Now AI was supposed to take over the parts of the job you hate. Turns out it made your job even harder. Instead of doing the work it gave you, homework, ServiceNow's AI specialists get work done from start to finish. Cases get resolved. Loops get closed. No extra work for you. With ServiceNow, you can do the parts of the job you're best at and delegate the rest. To put AI to work for people, visit ServiceNow.com this summer, JBL is on a mission to help you tune into what you love audiobooks, podcasts and everything in between with JBL's live headphones. These headphones are perfect because of their high res sound, making your fave stories and voices come alive with so much detail exactly the way they were made to be heard. Plus, they have 80 hours of battery life so you can binge without pressing pause all summer long. Find your [e-mail].