It seems that just about every club in the Premier League, including Arsenal, are having their pre-season and opening games disrupted by players that are under offer from other clubs or blatantly declaring their wish to move on, and have mysterious ‘injuries’ like Alexis Sanchez, Phillippe Coutinho and many others. So why do we have to go through this transfer madness a full month after the season starts?
The good news is that we may not have to endure this from next summer onwards, as there will be a motion at the next Premier League Managers meeting to discuss cutting off the transfer window before the actual season gets under way, which would be a lot less stressful for both managers and fans.
The Swansea boss Paul Clement admitted that it had been discussed at the last meeting. The Swans have Gylfi Sigurdsson waiting for a move to Everton, and their opponents Southampton had Virgil Van Dijk on the sidelines waiting to move out too. Clement said: “There’s frustration here and I’m sure Southampton are frustrated, too. That’s why I think if the window is shut before the season starts everything is sorted out and we can get on with the football.
“At our managers’ meeting at the Premier League last week, we spoke about it. The majority of clubs are in favour, but maybe all have to be for it to go through.”
It certainly makes sense to me, and to most fans too I think, even if it only affected sales between Premier League clubs. It would be a good start and hopefully the other Leagues would follow suit eventually. Jonathan Barnett, the chairman of leading football agency Stellar Group, is also in favour of the changes. “It makes sense and could make clubs more focused to do their deals early, but there will still be a deadline which creates panic,” he said.
“People will still be unable to make their minds up and clubs won’t be agreeing deals. The selling clubs will still think they can get a bit more and hold out for more money.
“I don’t like the idea of last-minute pushing and shoving, but even with the deadline being brought forward there will be ridiculous things happening before the window closes. It doesn’t seem to affect other countries like it does with England.”
So do Arsenal fans agree with this proposal? Wouldn’t you like to know right now who will actually be playing for us this season instead of this will-he-won’t-he nonsense surrounding Alexis Sanchez?