It’s been a relatively busy summer for Premier League clubs thus far. Again, the promoted sides are spending the kind of money which ten years ago would have been reserved for Europe’s elite. Miraculously, Spurs are dipping into their transfer budget; not so surprisingly, Newcastle are not. With just under a month to go, the squads are beginning to take shape. It’s at this point that we get our first meaningful glimpses of what to expect over the next 9 months of English football.
Before the proverbial window slams shut then, let’s take a look at some of the most significant ins and outs for English players so far…
1) Frank Lampard to Chelsea: The only manager on the list (sorry Steve Bruce – Gadsby’s England don’t think you’ll be impacting the England setup any time soon). Lampard’s return to the Bridge has been one of the most intriguing stories this summer. The commentariat has proffered that the 106 time former England player will be given, at the very least, a season to further his already astonishing legacy with the West London club. Though this would be the most sensible recourse of action, Abramovich’s trigger happy approach to hiring and firing would suggest that this is by no means a forgone conclusion. Historically, Chelsea’s attitude towards youth would make King Herrod blush and their loan policy has seemed to be ’out-of-sight-out-of-mind’. But, with a plethora of young English talent available to him, if Lampard is allowed time to truly engage with his players he could provide England with an injection of talent which, under any other Chelsea regime, would have been lost. Simultaneously, he would upset the throwaway culture so ingrained at the club – this can only be positive, not just for England, but for young players in general. However this one turns out, it’ll be an interesting one to follow…
2) Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Man United: The most expensive player on this list at nearly £50 million, the young fullback won countless plaudits last season and, was it not for a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold, would surely have been anointed as the future of England’s defence. As it stands, Wan-Bissaka is yet to win a senior cap, a fact that stands as testament to our wealth of options in his position. But, having made the switch to Man United, you’d guess that this is the year he’ll break the mould. He’s a player that seems to do a lot with a little – while he is limited going forward, his defensive capabilities are second to none, literally, in his position. He made more tackles than any other player in the League last season and won nearly 93% of his one-on-one duels, astonishing figures for a player with only 42 senior appearances. His attributes mean that he can offer something truly different for Southgate whose eyes will surely be bulging at the thought of such solidity at right-back – he’ll welcome his selection headache regarding the position, that’s for sure.
3) Kieran Trippier to Athletico Madrid: Another right back on the list. Gadsby Senior will be delighted with this one, as should we all. English players’ reluctance to move abroad has been well documented, many attributing the ‘Golden Generation’s’ lack of success to it. In recent years, however, there are signs that the tide may, however slowly, be beginning to turn. The highest-profile example is, of course, Jadon Sancho. But the Dortmund winger isn’t the only English youngster who’s been willing to make the leap – Ronaldo Viera, Patrick Roberts and Sheyi Ojo all spent time abroad last season and now Kieran Trippier has joined the continental party. The England right back’s stock could hardly have been any higher after the World Cup last summer. Perhaps he suffered from some form of impostor syndrome because his form last season was, at the very best, unremarkable. He was usurped as the first choice right back at Spurs and his career risked stagnating. Moving abroad then seems like a sensible, and personally brave, option.
4) Ravel Morrison to Sheffield United: Didn’t see this one coming. The attacking midfielder is only 26 but Sheffield United will be his tenth different club. Throughout his career, he has consistently been labelled a wasted talent, by the likes of Alex Ferguson, Rio Ferdinand and Sam Allardyce for example, all of whom have recognised his potentially world-class ability but complete lack of discipline. With a limited budget, Sheffield United have to take risks. If, by some miracle, Chris Wilder can persuade Morrison to adopt an even slightly more diligent approach than he has a magnificent player on his hands. Although admittedly, the precedent for this isn’t there. Ravel Morrison is the definition of a volatile talent – he undoubtedly has the capacity to earn an England call up, whether Southgate would want such a character in the camp or not is another matter.
5) Fabian Delph to Everton: Marco Silva got this deal done on the cheap, the midfielder-cum-left-back arriving at Goodison for just under £9 million. Delph showed his utility at Manchester City and although he was sometimes maligned from the outside, proved to be a valuable member of Guardiola’s eclectic setup. While he carried out his role dutifully, Delph will be relishing the opportunity to play consistently in his favoured central-midfield role once more. As one of a limited number of English players who can play a box-to-box role to a high standard, he will see his move to the Toffees as a potential springboard back into the national setup.
6) Jack Clarke to Spurs (loaned back to Leeds): Spurs’ first signing for nearly two years, Jack Clarke’s breakthrough season at Leeds proved the 18-year-old will be there-or-thereabouts with regards to the national setup in years to come. The decision to loan him back to Leeds is a wise one, the Yorkshire club will be one of the favourites for promotion again after narrowly missing out last season and, in Marco Bielsa, Clarke has a coach that will aid him in getting his foot on the first rung of the ladder of truly elite footballing talent.
7) Dean Henderson to Sheffield United (loan): Many England fans’ first introduction to Henderson will have been the couple of clangers he dropped for the U21s at the Euros this summer. If so, don’t let this colour your perception of a magnificent goalkeeper. Henderson, contracted to Man United, was superb on loan at Sheffield United last season and his return to the club was greeted enthusiastically by Blades fans. If David De Gea is to leave Manchester in the next couple of season, Henderson will fancy his chances of walking into the United dressing room as his replacement. His vocal command of his box and athleticism will prove invaluable to Sheffield United in their fight against the drop and, with Premier League experience, he could find himself in contention for an England call up very soon.
8) Tyrone Mings to Aston Villa: Gone are the days when parting with nearly £30 million would land Andriy Shevchenko or Robinho, now it’ll bag you a centre-half with limited top-flight experience. With that being said, Mings enjoyed an excellent campaign on loan at Aston Villa last season and Villa fans will be resting more easily since his arrival on a permanent basis. Mings has yet to be significantly tested at Premier League level, but Dean Smith clearly sees him as being worth the figure his board sanctioned – although he is yet to be capped for England, at any level, there’s enough there to show he is capable of an international call up at some point.
9) Che Adams to Southampton: Che Adams netted 22 times in 46 Championship appearances last season, the kind of form which meant Birmingham had to see off significant Premier League interest in the January transfer window. Now, Adams has got his move, arriving at St Mary’s for a £15 million sum. Other than his goal return, which is superb for a winger, Adams’ volatile style of play is his best asset. Coaxing defenders into feeling they can relax before an explosion of pace or a quick turn catches them napping and opens up a hole, Adams has attributes that suit the Premier League. He’s still only 23 and could well be the kind of impact player to replace an ageing Jamie Vardy on England’s bench.
10) Sturridge, Cahill, Carroll, Welbeck (released): In the not-so-distant past, all four of these players would, injuries permitting, be guaranteed a spot in any England squad. Now, it looks increasingly unlikely that any of them will feature again, their respective destinations being unclear at present.
Sturridge has had an eventful few weeks, his home was broken into and dog kidnapped and he recently was fined for breaching betting regulations and banned from the game for six weeks – all amidst interest for Aston Villa, a club which would seem a sensible destination for the striker.
Gary Cahill has barely featured over the past two years for Chelsea, but given the interest in his services from Man United and Arsenal, he might not be as washed up as spectators presumed, although it would be unlikely for him to resurrect his international career at this point.
Newcastle United is the rumoured destination for Danny Welbeck, who was released by Arsenal in June – this seems logical given Mike Ashley’s reluctance to spend any money. Welbeck, like Sturridge, has had a career blighted by injury and unless he can stay fit will not be likely to feature in Southgate’s plans again.
Ah, the enigma that is Andy Carroll… once the most expensive Englishman in history, of course. But for now, all is quiet on the transfer rumour front. He’s the kind of player who, again if fit, would be a truly unique asset for England – but, sadly, that injury-ridden ship sailed a long time ago.
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