I'm not sure the "PR disaster" is as big as you make it out to be. People will forget very quickly and it won't prevent future signings. I know there is still plenty of time left until the market closes but I would begin to be a little worried that your standing still at the moment. A bit like spurs
The way his comments have gone down in Africa judging on social media posts I wouldn't think they'd be quickly forgotten. And I'd venture he's totally screwed himself in terms of getting any negotiations from Keita or his camp to extend. But regardless, I presume if you think L'pool should be worried their dealings the transfer market that goes for most of the top 6 too?
Chelsea are ahead as they've brought in 3 additions (CB, DM/ BTB M, ST) and switched backup keepers. Losing no direct first teamers. But they have lost 3 or 4 very promising youth players. Including a couple who were involved a fair bit last year. (Ake the back end and Chalobah.). Their squad is still real light and needs additions before the window shuts.
City have brought in 5 but lost 6. Improved in some areas. Just swapped like-for-like in others but got younger.
'Spurs, as you mentioned, are down a key player from last year and by association have weakened their depth at FB.
L'pool have added 3 (A winger, LB and very promising striker), and lost 1. But the one they've lost, Lucas, they've gained in Gomez returning who's like a new signing all by himself.
Arsenal have added a LB and striker and lost nobody so they've improved.
Utd have added a CB, swapped strikers, and lost Rooney as I type before any possible Matic deal is confirmed. *EDIT* And the returning loan of Pereira adding depth.
So have any of those 6 significantly increased their squads that much more than anyone else at this point?
FWIW, as regards L'pool, aside from being in no doubt van Dijk will be here before the windows out and personally believing Keita is anything but dead, as tricky as that one is proving (let's put it this way I don't believe for one minute L'pool's interest this window is done there); I'm sat happy that he squad is significantly stronger than last year by virtue of both new additions and returning injured players who were unavailable last season. Don't get me wrong, there's still work needs doing. But I don't feel we're 'standing still' at all right now with a full month and more of the window to go.
Salah looks, to press, the bargain and most exciting addition of the entire window. Robertson adds a much needed natural LB. Who, unlike Moreno, can be trusted to spell Milner. As Trent, another year on in his development, can Clyne. Having that reliable depth to rest both Clyne and Milner and not have their legs gone by February through having to play every game (no two players the entire league did more running and overlapping than the pair last year); should improve both over the course of the year. Having a fully healthy Joe Gomez back in the mix and not having to rely on Klaven as your immediate centre half depth is an internal upgrade there. The same Klopp's first signing, Marko Grujic, in midfield who was unavailable through injury most all last year. He's like a completely new signing right there. As is, talking midfield, Coutinho dropping back. Who's fixing to be POTY potential devastating from deeper. Then you've Sturridge having a proper pre-season for the first time in years, and looking in the best shape he has in a long time, along with Dom Solanke who as I type I'd venture is ahead of Origi now in the pecking order and a serious PL bench option at the least adding to your attacking depth. Why Chelsea didn't involve him to the point he walked is a complete mystery as he's just a natural goal scorer with a cracking looking future. I get the Harry Kane potential comparisons from Chelsea fans/ coaches having watched him this pre-season.
So that's 3 bought additions, and two returning players to improve the squad depth without losing anyone outside of Lucas who was a 5th choice centre half/ 3rd/4th choice #6 going into last season. With at least van Dijk more than likely to be added and possibly Keita too.
Dunno' but that looks a lot stronger group right there to me and nothing to overly panic about. Shrugs.
)))) so true.
