Amy Lawrence 

Transfer window webchat with Amy Lawrence – as it happened

Arsenal were the only Premier League club not to buy an outfield player, Manchester City spent £130m and Manchester United made Anthony Martial the most expensive teenager in history. Amy Lawrence explained it all
  
  

Anthony Martial
Does Anthony Martial represent £36m well spent? Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Thanks for all of your comments and questions. Amy is off to eat her late lunch. Here are those pieces we linked to earlier:

Premier League transfer window review: how did the 20 clubs do?

Transfer quiz: where are they now?

Man Utd launch new watch as De Gea misses transfer by minutes

How can Manchester City afford to spend £130m in one window?

And, if you’re sick of transfer talk by now, here are the best goals of the week:

Cryogenic asks:

Hi Amy. Is it true you rejected the Mirror’s advances to stay put here?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

I do not comment on speculation. *

* (In all honesty I couldn't be happier than where I am.)

skinneykinney asks:

Do you think the current loan system needs to be altered so that the top teams don’t just hoover up all the young talent?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

I think a limit on loans might need to be considered. But the other side of that coin is if you have a player who is not playing and can't be loaned out, that's a bad situation too.

liamthelad asks:

The future of James Wilson was briefly brought into question - be it a loan or a transfer. This did not actually end up happening but do you have any insight as to what prompted this change of heart - as LVG shipped out Welbeck to make room for Wilson originally - and whether his future is still certain to be at United for the foreseeable future. Especially as he competes against another 19 year old for a striking berth.

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Will need to take advice from the Manchester correspondents on this one - I'm not an expert on the nitty gritty of James Wilson's options, but agree he needs to play. Would be good to see more of him somewhere somehow.

Matt Phil Carver asks:

The Berahino incident was pretty undignified for all involved. How much do you blame him him being a spoiled brat and how much do you blame the football culture he’s grown up in?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

A lot on the latter actually

Mark Ormesher asks:

We’ve had a lot of fall out from the overlapping of the window with the start of the season. Stones and Berahino being just two casualties. Can you see the closing of the window being aligned with the start of the season as most managers seem to be calling for?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

That's completely sensible, but manager say the same every year and nothing changes. Part of the problem is different leagues start at different times. I would be an advocate of window starting as soon as all the big leagues have stopped, have one month to do your business, then back to pre-season.

GifRichard asks:

Should more managers back themselves (or be backed) to improve their squads without relying so heavily on the transfer market?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Lovely idea but they are (justifiably) worried about the fact they won't get time to engineer change by development on the training ground.

ontheone asks:

Why are so many deals left so late? Is it part of a broader media strategy to create a buzz or are these people genuinely doing their homework on the bus?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Think there is a pervading feeling that late deals push clubs into decisions, or accepting less as it's a now or never situation. It's maddening though, isn't it.

kingclovis asks:

Does Wenger really consider Arteta and Flamini adequate cover for Coquelin? Or is it more the case that he couldn’t fathom the idea of paying £20m+ for a player that might not start most games? And was there any truth in the rumours linking Arsenal to Schneiderlin and Kondogbia?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

There was truth in Schneiderlin rumours, not sure about Kondogbia. Not buying in this department an oversight in my view even though Arteta can still be a very good influence.

PapasNewBag asks:

Why did no one pick up Austin for £15 million but happily throw more money after failed bids (here’s looking at you Spurs).

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Did think Austin would be on the move, bit surprising he is not still in the Premier League.

Darell Philip asks:

Hi Amy. Do you think Arsenal have enough players in their squad to remain competitive in all four competitions come the next transfer window in January?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Numbers wise just about ok, depending on injuries. Not sure quite enough quality in certain obvious positions. Also don't hold your hopes out on January - it's usually an even worse time to try to strike a deal.

Tom Seymour asks:

Hernandez, Welbeck, Januzaj, Falcao, RVP, Nani, Di Maria. Wilson maybe on loan. Could LVG’s willingness to move so many attackers on potentially cost him his job?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

A lot on young Martial's shoulders, huh? It's nice with young prospects, however excellent they are, to give them some breathing space.

PapasNewBag asks:

Did Arsenal actually need to sign an outfield player?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

To try to win the league, I would have thought so yes.

Matt Phil Carver asks:

Do you think the top clubs (top six in the Premier League) are too shy to take a punt on players like Ayew/Gomis because the fans pressure them to buy big?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Not sure they are fearful of fan pressure. Just think some of the top clubs look at players and think - Will they win us the league? Can they get us far in the Champions League? They don't necessarily think about whether they will just be very good Premier League players. Maybe that's why they don't take so many punts of this nature. Great for the likes of Swansea though.

Updated

Thunder asks:

Hi Amy. A lot of people have derided Man Utd’s latter transfer dealings (or lack thereof). How much is this normal fan whingeing (transfer dissatisfaction seems a perennial occurrence, including under Fergie) or legitimate complaint? They do seem to be short on strikers, and possibly centre backs, but fans have complained about the lack of a decent midfield for the last 10 years, yet they still won the odd trophy

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Fans of most clubs can find reason to tear their hair out at some point. While United might have wanted/expected more, some of the links were just not realistic (Ramos/Bale/Neymar). It's not helpful. United made some decent signings, but they are not the only ones who are ruing that there is a shortage of available excellence.

Updated

John Corri asks:

Hello Amy, after yet another quiet transfer deadline day by Arsenal, do you feel that Arsene Wenger’s intransigence will ultimately scupper Arsenal’s chances of ever winning the Premier League under his stewardship? Are we getting into the “madness of king George” situation?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Thing is, he wasn't intransigent last season (Sanchez/Welbeck/Ospina/Chambers/Debuchy/Gabriel...). It so happens he couldn't find the players he wanted this time apart from Cech. This particular window makes it hard to win the league, I grant you, and gives that familiar feeling for Arsenal of being a couple of players short of a credible challenge.

nec338 asks:

Will LVG be able to successfully reintegrate De Gea into the squad, given that his history of man-management leaves a lot to be desired?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Good question. I suspect they will try to find a way as it simply isn't in either United or de Gea's interests for him not to be playing. Don't think it will be easily resolved though.

rramdin asks:

Has LvG been scouting Martial for a long time and was he the mystery striker that he mentioned in a press conference a few weeks ago? Did United actually try and sign a new central defender except for Ramos?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

The thing is, there is an international shortage of experienced centre forwards and centre backs who are wonderful enough to walk straight into a top Champions League club. It should be something the game's bigwigs think seriously about. How many clubs - ideally - needed bolstering at centre forward this summer? Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham... And that is just at the top end of the PL. There is just not enough to go around. There is not a plethora of great centre backs knocking about either. It's all very well saying - why isn't so and so buying or scouting. Not sure where all these potential superstar signings are, though.

sharri19 asks:

Amy, were you aware that the only determinant of a side’s future success is their dealings in the transfer window and nothing else? Is the importance now placed on the business done in the window Jim White’s greatest legacy? Should we just replace tactics with gigantic iPads with nameless presenters staring gormlessly at them?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

I like your first sentence.

cathmhaoil13 asks:

Is Roberto Martinez in trouble? Major case of stagnation at Everton? And how is Aiden McGeady a Premier League footballer?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Everton have shown some good signs at the start of this season. Keeping Stones was fantastic. Interested to see if Martinez can get them on a strong run - last season was a bit tense it seemed.

Updated

Ben Mallett asks:

Will Berahino play for West Brom ever again?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

I would imagine so. Remember when Carlos Tevez came back from his strike/standoff/whatever it was when he fell out with Man City and helped them to win the league? In the end clubs want the best team they can pick and players want to play. I can't see him out the team until January.

NoFansINHell asks:

Do you think Wenger should go if Arsenal are not competitive this season in PL? As Arsenal have the money and he chose not to spend. That leads to a simple conclusion that he thinks his squad is strong, which is fair enough. But, surely if he’s wrong there should be accountability. Of course my question is hypothetical, and chances of it happening are small.

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

These questions usually boil down to the relationship Wenger has with the board. They are entirely supportive of him and his choices - certainly the majority owner Kroenke is. Until that changes, until they question him, nothing changes. Wenger is the club's absolute authority when it comes to transfers and the shape of the squad. If he wants a player, they try to get him (Ozil/Sanchez etc.). They won't ask him to recruit though.

Vikramchops asks:

Is this transfer window the end for LVG and the way United have approached transfer markets?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Hello Vikramchops

The window in itself won't be the end. LVG will be measured on performances and results. If things are not working, the transfer spend is a useful brickbat to throw and someone, but never the be all and end all. It is up to a great coach to inspire and organise what he has. Who knows, if Martial adapts quickly this window may have delivered a masterstroke - albeit an expensive one.

LukeJ asks:

Who on earth is advising Saido Berahino? Did he not recently split from his agent who was apparently responsible for some idiotic comments from the moment he scored at Old Trafford. Is there ever a genuine strategic move to be made with transfer requests, or twitter outbursts, as a function of a transfer, or is it just displays of petulance which literally no footballer appears to learn from? Is it supposed to be a mechanism designed to goad a chairman into selling, or is there more to it than that? Appreciate your time!

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Hello Luke,

I think a lot of players, and their representatives, go by the idea that transfer requests/outbusts etc. usually served a very effective purpose. But what seems to be changing is the increased strength of the Premier League's middle order, who no longer feel obliged to sell because - thanks to the new TV deal - they can afford not to. The player is more valuable than the money.

It will be intriguing to see how the Berahino/Stones scenarios impact on future deals and behaviour (Stones of course didn't really behave badly). It is no longer so easy to force moves. Will player power take a hit? Not sure it will be too radical, but it's a hit all the same.

Sliminho asks:

Arsenal were the only side in Europe’s top 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, Italy, England, France) not to sign a single outfield player - why? I know Wenger believes there is no value in the transfer market but players like Ayew at Swansea make him look a bit daft do they not?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

I suppose in the case of someone like Ayew, who looks a super signing so far, Wenger would have thought - if I buy him, where does that leave the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain/Walcott/Ramsey etc. who play in that position? There were three areas that needed attention. He went for it on goalkeeper, backed off (dangerously) in defensive midfield, and couldn't find a striker he felt was good enough that he could actually buy. The question is whether he should have got another body or two in in those positions who might not have been exactly what he wanted but was buyable.

jmp442 asks:

Hi Amy, why has Wenger changed his transfer policy over the past few years? He no longer looks to bring in smaller value risks and is just targeting big names. Is this to appease the fans? Can they not do both? Seems like they are incapable of dealing on multiple deals at one time

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Jeff Reine-Adelaide is not a big name by the way (in the footballing not literal sense). Koscielny was not a big name. There is still scope for developing players in the Wenger ideology. I don't think he is specifically targeting so called big names. His targets are simple - must be better than what he already has in his view, and must be what he regards as value. That is why it's not so easy to find players who fit those requirements - and they have to be available. I reckon he would have spent fairly heavily on a Benzema but he was never really for sale.

Dublinroo asks:

Hi Amy, I got 9/10 on the transfer quiz. How many did you get?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Hi dublinroo

I, too, got 9/10. I admit I guessed Mutu. Was a bit annoyed with the one I got wrong - Malouda. Must try harder!

ManUFanBaby asks:

Hi Amy, with Arsenal wanting Martial, do you think they expected to get him, and that’s why they didn’t buy anyone else of note? Obviously once United came in there wasn’t much time for Wenger to look elsewhere.

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

I don't think Arsenal particularly wanted Martial. When you consider that Wenger got Anelka for something like £250,000 and Henry - by then a full international and World Cup winner - for around £10 million, I just don't think he would get involved in the kind of deal it required for Man United to get him.

KingChamakh asks:

Amy, Arsène out?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Now now, that is not the topic of this webchat. Anyway, anyone out should not be dependent on transfer activity. You have to wait for the consequence of that activity or inactivity to have a bearing on the team's results.

Amy is online, answering your questions

DetectiveFuzz asks:

Hi, Amy. For someone who covers Arsenal, it was a pretty disappointing window for them. What do you make of Arsenal’s title chances? Do you think they can still be contenders without signing a top striker and Francis Coquelin in midfield?

User avatar for AmyL Guardian staff

Hello DetectiveFuzz,

I suppose the answer to your question lies in the belief that they could have been contenders with a striker upgrade and another anchoring midfield player to share that load with Coquelin. I've often thought it makes sense to have the option of playing two more traditionally combative, holding types in some games. Arsenal needed to address three positions this summer and did only one (GK) so I would be surprised to see them winning the title.

Amy will be here from 1pm to answer your questions in the comments section. In the meantime, why not swot up on the movers and shakers in the window, take our transfer quiz and read about the extortionate prices being paid in Manchester:

Premier League transfer window review: how did the 20 clubs do?

Transfer quiz: where are they now?

Man Utd launch new watch as De Gea misses transfer by minutes

How can Manchester City afford to spend £130m in one window?

Enjoy the webchat.

Updated

 

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