Analysing the transfer window for promoted clubs requires looking through a different lens. Most teams take on staggering volumes of debt to recruit players that can keep them in the top flight, where the revenue streams are larger. The scales of judgement have a different set of weights for them. Balance is frequently chucked out the window.
All three of our newly promoted teams have been in the PL before; two of them very recently. They know this game, and hopefully will have learned from past mistakes.
You can read our take on the performance through July 24th here.
Sunderland
Total Spend: $204.5M (15 players)
Total Sold: $50.3M (10 total: 2 sold, 5 loaned out, 2 undisclosed, 1 recalled)
Net: -$154.2M
Hooligan Grade: B+
Even as they were celebrating their playoff victory over Sheffield United, Sunderland knew two key players from that squad were on their way out. Jobe Bellingham was on a flight to Dortmund days later. Tom Watson, scorer of the winning goal, had already been sold to Brighton.
No matter, let’s go spend some money! In this regard, Sunderland have excelled, with the highest spend of the three promoted sides. For this, they have fifteen new soldiers in the ranks, ten of whom they paid transfer fees on. Excuse me, it’s fourteen. Striker Mark Guiu was recalled by Chelsea after Liam Delap’s hamstring injury.
The spend may seem high, but I believe the Black Cats have done sensible business. They’ve essentially purchased an entire rotation, from goalkeeper through striker. And with an average cost of just over $10M per player, it’s really quite frugal. At the other big clubs $150M in spend might get you three or four players (or an Isak and Wirtz’s left leg).
Another positive: news signings Enzo Le Fée, Habib Diarra and Granit Xhaka provided either a goal or assist in three of their five goals scored so far.
Leeds United
Total Spend: $136.1M (11 players)
Total Sold: $11.7M (12 total: 2 sold, 5 loaned out, 4 released or left on free, 1 undisclosed)
Net: -$124.4M
Hooligan Grade: B
Leeds won the Championship handily, and goal scoring wasn’t their issue. Shoring up their defensive bulwarks against the more potent PL attacks had to be their priority. And in this regard they get good marks.
None of their players cost more than $25M, and of the eight they paid fees on, six are defenders or defensive midfielders. One was a goalkeeper. With one each in the win, loss, draw columns, I’d say well done. Even if they conceded five in that Arsenal blowout, their season’s success won’t be measured by how they play the top six. It’s whether they snatch points from their peers in the bottom and middle of the table.
Leeds only have one goal, scored by Lukas Nmecha. He was picked up on a free from Wolfsburg.
Burnley
Total Spend: $118.8M (14 players)
Total Sold: $40.6M (23 total: 2 sold, 11 loaned out, 5 released or left on free, 5 undisclosed)
Net: -$78.2M
Hooligan Grade: B
Truth be told, Burnley’s spend is probably higher, as four of the inbound players had undisclosed contract terms. Even so, the spend was remarkably restrained for a promoted side.
Happily, their trend is moving in the right direction. They were thoroughly spanked by Tottenham in the opener, but flipped the script and beat up on Sunderland the next week. Frankly, they were unlucky to lose to Manchester United (and deserved a draw).
Unfortunately, there is some question on how much impact their new signings had there. None of the fourteen brought in from the summer made a contribution except Jacob Bruun Larsen, who provided an assist in the Manchester United game. There’s still a lot of soccer to play, but surely you have to hope for a little more.
More Transfer Analysis
Summer Transfer Winners
Summer Transfer Losers
Who Made Money on Summer Transfers
Jury Is Still Out Whether They Won or Lost
