General Premier League Thread 2022-23 - mod note in OP 12/03/23

I had originally created this for the Liverpool thread, but it might be more applicable for the General Thread as it covers a lot of clubs. I included the 'big 6' for reference along with Newcastle and Brighton as they are outliers in terms of recruitment to the other 6.

I wanted to look at the sheer number of turnover of players, refreshing the squad etc. I've used since the summer of 2019, so there has been 4 years/ 8 transfer windows. Enough of a sample size over a period of time I would think. It's only incoming players, so this is gross spend only, not net spend (a bit too much messing, but also not really the angle as I wanted to show squad refreshment, not transfer profit/loss). And I've included the average age of players signed. Only players over the age of 18 are included, and no free transfers or loan signings are included so there are a couple players not included like Kulu & Joao Felix, but this is in the minority.

Unsurprisingly, Brighton lead the chase in terms of number of players signed, as they can afford to take more of a risk on younger players, signed for lower fees so have the lowest transfer spend. A number of these players won't work out, or even make the Brighton squad, but that is ok too.

Arsenal are close in 2nd, along with a higher average age as they have very quickly built a team ready to tackle the top end of the table. They have signed a large number of players in the 23-29 bracket ready to come into first team instantly (12) and the majority of their team currently playing (9 of their first choice 11 players have all been signed in this period, Saka coming through the academy & Xhaka already at the club).

Likewise Man City have had a high number of personnel, but crucially have been ticking along nicely adding 2-3 important players every season as they totally refresh their first team gradually as opposed to in one quick swoop. it maintains their high standard but just phases out some players at the correct(?) time too.

Chelsea have a very turnover in players, heavily influenced by this season. Their previous 3 seasons included a transfer ban season, a COVID transfer season & signing only Lukaku. Very weird with no plan at all. But have ended up with an entirely new squad now at the end of it all. Totally refreshed but we don't know how it is going to fare out.

Spurs have signed a lot of crap to put it frankly, with a high turnover of managers, which results in more players needed to change the tactics. It's not really working is it? 4 players out of this 18 players bought can be counted as first choice players.

Man Utd have gone for the galactico approach which is very hit & miss. On the lower number of players recruited but the second highest spend so tend to spend big on 4 players consistently every season. 4 players every season is still a good refreshment rate though, but again there is a lot of crap in here with around 4 or 5 players considered to be first choice players. A poor return rate especially considering that it is more experienced players that are being bought.

Liverpool have stood still. They have signed very few players and let their squad grow old together and it's very easy to see the results of it now with the team having a very poor season as they look tired, stale and lacking the hunger to turn it around again. They also have the second lowest spend of all these clubs. To be fair, a lot of the senior players signed can be considered to be first choice but availability is a big problem here too. The average age suggests it's a good refreshment rate, but it has not been plentiful enough.

Newcastle have obviously taken a massive leap in terms of recruitment in the last few years and and already shooting up the table in terms of spend. I was surprised to see that they have a higher average age but this is going to be off as they sign a lot of players in a short time - 10 since the new owners came in, 3 windows ago.

Ten Hag doing a super job at United, where many have failed. Shedding Ronaldo and bringing in Casemero was key , also kicksterted Fred, the Brazilian midfiled.

I don;t think it was brexit that opened the loophole. My understanding is it has always been the case that the local FA can set a limit on the contract terms, and the FA rules simply don't have a limit. Seemingly no one thought to demand players sign 7/8 year contracts previously to get around FFP issues.

To be honest I am surprised to some extent that players have signed these contracts. Enzo has effectively signed his career to chelsea. He will obviously be well paid for it, but I am surprised that they are willing to give up that much control on their life. I am also surprised agents don't insist on release clases for similar reasons, but an 8 year contract is baffling. Would have to assume there are clauses galore in these deals, with break terms and automatic wage increases etc.

Varane staying fit and Utd playing more conservatively is key to their good form. Martinez has been ok, better than many predicted including myself. But to compare him to Vidic is something that not many would, or should, do.

Absolutely this - a long term vision. Consistency in recruitment etc.. will always always beat just throwing money at the issue.

Had the Glazers figured that out earlier then Utd could have spent far less in the transfer market under panic after missing out on CL.

You want your squad made up of 3 categories of players - Young/High potential, Peak years and experienced.

With a natural progression through those groups for each player. When your experienced player comes to the end you want to be replacing their position in the squad with someone from 1 of the 2 other categories either from within the club or a transfer but there should not be more than 3/4 players in that older category that will need to be replaced short term. And ideally you should not be buying in players into that category too often but obvious exceptions apply.

It is my main worry about potentially getting Kane in the summer - I think it would leave the Squad with too many in the Older/Experienced category down the line (Varane, Casemiro, De Gea, Eirksen, Fred, Maguire* and potentially Kane will all be 30 - 33 come the start of the season and currently 5 out of 7 of those would be 1st team starters.) They will all (I think) fall inside a very short window of needing replacing. We'd likely be looking at needing to find a starting CB, starting DM, starting CM and starting ST after 2/3 seasons along with replacing the poor squad quality under the 1st team. You'd be hoping some can carry on well into their 30s to get around it, which is risky and has caught out clubs before.

I think we are good for the older heads mostly and I like a lot of our younger talent at the club and have high hopes for a few (Garnacho, Mainoo). We need to be adding players who are more in the middle group for me, players who can step up and be the experienced heads when Varane and Casemiro slow down etc... Not ones who will be coming to the end at the same time as them

*May be sold this summer.

Your post shows the delusions of big club fans, (myself included at times )

When Howe came into Newcastle where 19th & had just 5 points from 11 games in what world is that a pretty positive environment ,I guess your saying because they where taken over everything was grand which it certainly wasn't

United came 6th (Liverpool & Chelsea will finish below that this year) had just signed Ronaldo ,Sancho , Varane in the previous season, & you make it sound like Howe had an easier job ,

deluional ? - are you having a laugh - Howe came into the newest richest club in the world , after years in the doldrums under Ashley , everyone says and saw that St James' and Newcaslte was bouncing with positivity (and money) after Ashley era - United on the other hand was a toxic environment that Ten Hag took over in the summer

also... not a Premier league topic... but can a mod unsticky the world cup threads at the top of the page? Annoying having to scroll past them when they are in no way relevant any more and one of them hasn't been posted in since december!

Greenwood cleared off all charges due to main witness pulling out ,

I wonder what happens now, by law he is an innocent man but everyone heard that voice mail not sure how anyone could cheer him on after that ,

Big call coming up for United on what do they

Really difficult to see a route back for him.

They could welcome him back on the basis of the law but could get bad press by choosing to ignore his behaviour on the recording.

Suspect a termination by mutual agreement, a loan abroad or just wind his contract down.

I don't know. I just think you are giving soccer fans way too much credit if you think they won't defend "their guy"

Ide love that to be true but that's not my experience of fans.

Of course they will. Soccer is full of tribal bias. If he is back scoring goals in big games, it will be forgotten about in years to come. Not all, it should be noted. But I wouldn't trust soccer fans, my own clubs fans included. There is way too much 'your club, my club' stuff.

There was another player accused of sexual assault opened back with open arms last season. Fans were delighted to have him back. Another one is currently playing and is being very much protected by his club & some fans. There are other examples too, I'm just taking some high profile examples.

Man Utd did the right thing by excluding Greenwood ASAP, while it was being investigated. But what they do do next has a dangerous divergence.

Yeah, good point. There was actual evidence on display this time around.

If he couldn't kick a ball as well as he can, every United fan would want him gone. Its sad really