Transfer news as Tottenham and Chelsea secure bargain deals whilst Arsenal face early questions after a summer window of overspending in the Premier League
Given Chelsea’s lavish spending this summer, it’s hard for many to say they’re worth the money. Once again, the club has outdone itself to break individual and team transfer records. In doing so, they also raised £270 million ($336 million) from the sale.
But it is a sign of the contemporary market. The signing of Enzo Fernandez by Chelsea in January provided the groundwork and established a standard for No. 6s to rise to the top position in the game. In the past eight months, four properties have sold for over £85 million ($106 million), while three have sold for more than £100 million ($124 million).
For example, the net spend was just £30m ($37m) more than Arsenal and they brought in just over £35m ($44m) on player Folarin Balogun. The price the Gunners pay, especially when it comes to Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, is certainly considered exaggerated in some respects. However, it is a sign of the modern market. Enzo Fernandez’s move to Chelsea in January laid the groundwork and set the standard for the No 6s to be the most valuable player in the game. In eight months, three cost more than £100 million ($124 million) and four cost more than £100 million. £85 million ($106 million).
Getting perceived value for these players, who don’t score or create as many goals as a number 10 or creative striker, will be more difficult on paper than those who get a lot of attention. However, it cannot be denied that they have a significant influence on the match, being on the list of the 20 players who have touched the ball the most to date in the Premier League, or those with the total number of touches above. 300 in first 4 games. , seven people are No. 6 style players.
Fernandez and Rice are both included, as are Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma and Chelsea’s summer seller Mateo Kovacic. Of the 20 players from last season, seven remain, in addition to Moises Caicedo and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. This speaks to the growing importance of these players, especially as more and more teams adopt not only short build-up play from the back but also closer pressing and more aggressive marking when they no control of the ball. As for Chelsea and Fernandez, who cost £105.6 million ($131 million) in January, they appear to have received handsome rewards for the money paid.
