The end of the Premier League season is only weeks away now, and it won’t be long before the summer transfer window opens. Last summer, the window opened on 10 June. This year, it’s expected to open in early June again. This post discusses the transfer window, betting odds, Chelsea’s performance in the Premier League and who might join the club and who might leave it.
Understanding the transfer window
A transfer window is a period during the year in which football teams can sign up players from other teams to their teams. Its purpose is to preserve the stability of contracts for players and clubs while still allowing movement at certain times during the year. The windows were felt to be a better alternative than bringing football into line with other industries in which contracts weren’t enforceable or liable for compensation, such as players serving notice periods and moving when they wanted.
The transfer window always generates excitement, speculation and gossip about who will move to where and who will stay with their current club. Just like every season, fans will be keeping an eye on the transfer window to say who comes or goes where and to gauge how this might impact their favourite side.
The Premier League odds
The Gunners have been a strong favourite to win the Premier League this season. They entered the New Year at the top of the table and have looked strong. However, Manchester City are hot on their heels, however, and have overtaken the London side as the favourites. Mikel Arteta’s men dropped two points against Southampton recently and also came out worst in a decisive midweek clash with the Sky Blues. Many UK online sportsbooks are offering free bets that can be redeemed on bets on who will win the Premier League. Man City have received
How are Chelsea performing this season?
The Stamford Bridge dwellers may have gotten their Premier League campaign off to a good start with a win, but their performance has gone downhill. The Londoners are in the bottom half of the table in 11th place.
Issues with signings at the start of the season and communication problems between owner Todd Boehly and former manager Thomas Tuchel have plagued the team. Chelsea have a deep defence, however, that might be able to bail them out of trouble on the field. The club’s talented wingback can lend some extra impetus to the team’s attacks, an aspect of play which needs strengthening. Despite having forwards and attacking midfielders, Chelsea lack a decisive finisher, even though Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling have the potential to really turn the squad’s attacking play around.
Chelsea and the transfer window
If the rumours are to be believed, Chelsea is going to busy when the transfer market opens. There is talk that the club wants to sign Sadio Mane from Bayern Munich. Mane hasn’t been able to settle in as well as he would have liked at the German club and may well come back to the Premier League. Mane would strengthen Chelsea’s forward line with his versatility that allows him to play through the middle and out wide.
Mane isn’t the only player rumoured to be on Chelsea’s summer shopping list. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, a transfer which would make Southampton’s wish to spend large more of a possibility, and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone, who has shown terrific top-flight potential, are also thought to be midfield targets under Mauricio Pochettino, who may be joining the club in June as the new gaffer.
Meanwhile, although Thomas Tuchel and the club have gone their separate ways, it’s possible the Bayern manager wants to take Mateo Kovačić with him in the end. The Croatian’s future looks uncertain at the club and his contract runs out in 2024.
A demand for change
There is growing discontent amongst supporters of Chelsea after the side gave up an early lead and lost to Brighton 2-1 at home. The loss saw the club slide into the bottom half of the table and fans directed their anger at Boehly. Chelsea haven’t won any of their last five games, despite having spent £600 million in a season since the takeover of the club by co-owner Boehly’s Clearlake Capital. The sacking of Graham Potter by the club earlier this season has also seen Boehly attract unwanted headlines.
The transfer window is an exciting time in the Premier League as fans look to see who will be joining their club and who will be moving on to new pastures. Then when the new season starts, they can follow the progress of their club’s new signings with major interest and decide if the money was well spent.
