Like others, I've been disappointed with the transfer window. Not massively so, but more frustrated that we've let Aguero go and only seemingly identified that only Kane or Ronaldo would improve the team. I don't buy that for one minute. If nothing else, we need a striker who can finish the chances we create when it's 0-0 in the 60th minute against the busparkers. It doesn't need Kane or Ronaldo to do that.
Left back and central midfield will continue to be our achilles heals though in the big games. Zinchenko is a great player for us, but against the top teams he's our weak link and the best teams can exploit that. Sure, he can have great games, but we can improve that position. Fernandinho can't be expected to play most of the season, but will have to play in the big games as we don't have anyone else like him. I wish he was 10 years younger! I do think we needed to bring someone in who can learn the dark arts from the master. I'm not an expert on European football, but there must be someone out there, somewhere.
I guess my main disappointment in the window has been the scouts - not identifying more than 1 forward target - and also the inability to conclude deals. Last summer we were led a dance by Messi and his mates. We also had Koulibaly doing the same and this summer we've been chasing Kane yet not even spoken to Spurs! The club need to identify early on who's available and just get the deal done, or move on.
In the past we've spent some big money on Mendy, Cancelo, Rodri, Torres and Grealish - totalling £280m . There's nothing wrong with these players, apart from the first one. However, none of these players are world class and, sorry to say, they don't look like they will be although I accept Grealish could do in time. Don't get me wrong, I like Rodri and Grealish, but they weren't what we needed and not for £165m. Kane is a far better player than Grealish and has proved himself, yet we were surprised at his valuation. He would score 40 goals a season for us easily and the CL becomes a different proposition with him. It's just bizarre.
Ronaldo is one of the best players of all time and for £16m was a steal and I know his wages are high. Look at his record, that's why they are high. You can make the case that he and Messi are the 2 best players ever and that's why they cost a lot. To go for two strikers and end up with none because they were expensive, despite blasting loads on other players we didn't need was disappointing. Good players ARE expensive. I don't believe any scout who says there's no players around who aren't an upgrade on Jesus, Sterling or Torres.
In terms of the league, I always go with the "wait for 10 games" rule. I think this will be a genuinely tough title to win with Chelsea looking the favourites, apart from us. Liverpool could either win it, or do what they did last year - they feel like a mixed bag team to me. United are similar, but I can see Ronaldo winning them an extra 10 points over what they got last year. The top 4 will be us, Chelsea, Liverpool and United and in all honesty I've no idea who will win. I think whoever is in 4th spot from March onwards will be scrapping with Leicester, West Ham, Spurs and Everton too making the title race and CL spots very, very hard to win early on.
If we are within 6 or so points off the top in the New Year, we will win the league. That's the only prediction I'll make.
In the CL I expect we will be there or there abouts. Real, Barcelona, Juventus are all rebuilding. Bayern will always be tough and Chelsea, Liverpool and United on their day can beat anyone. It's a cup game at the end of the day, but I do think that without a top class striker, we're hamstrung. I do think the winners will come from England again though.
I wouldn't be surprised with 4 trophies, or 0! :)
