A few days after the season had finished, the first signing was made...
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Helder Costa signs from Jorge Mendes influenced Wolves. I had been scouting him every game for the latter half of the season and it was clear from match reports and his average rating that he was far too good for the Championship. He had a £19 million release clause to clubs in a higher division, but on Wolves winning the Championship that would have became void, so I had to move fast. Although he is similar to Christian Atsu, I see Costa fitting into the right winger position as an inside forward. A relatively expensive transfer but I feel he will succeed.
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On identifying a centre back, my criteria required was difficult. I wanted a centre back who excelled in anticipation, decision making and positioning. Naturally, these attributes tend to be greater in older players, but I also wanted a player either in his peak or about to hit it (< 26). The defender would also need to be very comfortable on the ball and be able to start our attacks.
My shortlist that I drew up was as follows;
Harry Maguire (Leicester)
Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart)
Jesus Vallejo (Real Madrid)
Vallejo had some experience with the side but if I was to get him it would only be possible on a loan deal. Maguire and Pavard were ambitious signings, both would be perfect in my system. After weeks of trying to to persuade Pavard to join, it became apparent that nothing less than his £52 million buyout was going to be enough.
After beginning to give up and looking towards a second tier of options, my Director of Football made me aware of Harry Maguire being interested in a transfer and Leicester being open to an offer. I moved swiftly and we landed the Englishman for a ridiculously low fee of £16 million upfront potentially rising to £20.5 million - a bargain in my eyes.
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Next signing was one of convenience rather than a great need. Douglas Luiz from Manchester City became available for a loan deal and we swooped in to land the Brazilian youngster. With us being in the Europa League, we will need to rotate more and he can cover all midfield positions.
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So here's an issue - I had no idea that the transfer window closing before the first game of the season came into effect as soon as the 2018/2019 season. Therefore I approached deadline day still without a goalkeeper, left-back, striker and though we signed Douglas Luiz, he was never intended to be my complete central midfielder.
My first decision for deadline day was that I will stick with Karl Darlow for the time being. It wasn't an urgent position to replace, but one I felt was there to upgrade if the right player came along. I had made a realistic shortlist of Mathew Ryan (Brighton, available for £5.25 - 7.5 million), Ben Foster (West Brom, available for £3 - 4.5 million) and Pepe Reina (Napoli, available for £2 - 2.5 million). We actually had had a deal for Ben Foster all but agreed but I decided against it at the last moment as our money could be better invested elsewhere and felt that Karl Darlow will suffice until I can obtain one of my bigger goalkeeping targets (Kasper Schmeichel, Jordan Pickford or Jack Butland).
We spent the entire summer chasing after one striker in particular. Danny Welbeck. I think he would thrive in my system and his injury issues aside, he represents the exact type of striker I want. Dynamic, powerful, quick and works very hard. Unfortunately, even though he only has 12 months left on his contract and Arsenal were happy to accept a £15 million bid, he didn't want to come. Hopefully, this story is unfinished and I will continue pursuing him until he signs a new contract. I considered a late move for Danny Ings but similar to the goalkeeping situation, decided that Dwight Gayle and him are very similar and to wait it our for someone better.
So where did this leave me? Severely lacking players.
I consulted with my Director of Football to try bring a left back in on loan, seeing as I couldn't identify someone who was good enough to rotate with Delph.
Luke Shaw was available in order to prove his fitness for Jose Mourinho...but for a big fee. A monthly fee of £325k whilst paying £80,000 per week of his wages was required and since we were desperate I decided to pay it, but only for 6 months. He will provide a stop gap until January. He is a great player and a coup for the club, but at his fee I do worry. Might be a disaster but it was needed.
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That was one issue sorted but I still had the big issue of not having a complete midfielder which I felt strongly we needed. I targeted Mario Lemina (Southampton) but whilst he was initially interested, he signed a six-figure a week contract with Southampton and we had no way of competing. My second tier of initial targets were Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley) and Pascal G
ross (Brighton). After much scouting and contemplation, I concluded that they were all too expensive, even Gross who was relegated with Brighton.
On deadline day I was left desperate and looked to the loan market (again) to secure a signing. After throwing some bids on Roberto Pereyra (Watford) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool), I found that Dani Ceballos was available for a loan deal and we had an offer accepted but then I noticed Marco Rog hadn't been playing for Napoli. An offer was made with an option to buy for £4.5 million and we snapped up the Croat with minutes left of deadline day.
Delighted with this one, I think he is as good as any of the other targets I had.
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Transfer Summary
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We managed to get rid of some unwanted players. Matt Sels and Henri Saivet got good fees, Lazaar's wasn't too unreasonable but we should have got more for Ayoze Perez and Rob Lee. In the end, it's players that I didn't want off of the wage bill.
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Squad Overview
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As I said previously, Karl Darlow will remain between the sticks after a good season for us last season. Freddie Woodman has been promoted to second choice and I am keen to play him in cup matches.
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We have very good depth in the heart of our defence, Harry Maguire and Ciaran Clark will be our first choice partnership and I think they will compliment each other very well.
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Though we may look frail at full back with only two "natural" players in that position, I like to have a small squad with versatile players. Therefore Mbemba and Delph suit me perfectly.
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We are stacked in central midfield. Matt Ritchie and Mikel Merino are the key men and Marko Rog will play on the right hand side of the trio as a Mezzala. I feel like my midfield has every profile of midfield in it other than an advanced playmaker. Daniel Barlaser impressed on loan at Blackpool in League 1 last season so will be a squad player for us this season.
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The addition of Helder Costa is bound to improve us going forward. Him and Atsu will more than likely be first choice.
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Dwight Gayle will hopefully continue his excellent form from the back end of last season. Joselu did better than anticipated last season so therefore will continue as second choice this season. Adam Armstrong impressed on loan in the Championship, netting double figures so will be given opportunities.
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Pre-Season
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Well, pre-season doesn't get much better than that. We look raring to go for the new season.
