The philosophy behind transfer window acquisitions can follow one of two paths and the path chosen is frequently dictated by the financial backing of clubs. Big clubs are capable of throwing gobs of money at the best players available and, if necessary, forcing players to adjust to a system they’re not familiar with or play out of position. The logic behind this line of reasoning may have as much to do with taking a player off the market as it does with adding a layer to the starting XI. The more traditional approach would be scouting and signing players that actually fit your system.
Both philosophies have legitimacy. In a low scoring sport where the manager can only substitute three players per game, limiting mistakes is vitally important and better player tend to make less mistakes. However a club can always run the risk of overpaying for a player that was doomed to fail in an unfamiliar squad or system. Of course we’re only a quarter of the way into the season, barely enough time for a player to adjust to a new team. Still, these are the three players giving their managers and owners a lot to think about.
Bronze: Vincent Janssen
Janssen was a relatively low-key signing from AZ Alkmaar for 17 million pounds, but preseason value to Tottenham cannot be understated. Janssen was initially signed as a backup striker to Harry Kane, Kane’s injury in the 87th minute of a 1-0 game against likely to be relegated Sunderland forced Janssen to take on more of a first team role.
Janssen’s opportunity to play central striker on a team playing Champions League football has been less than fruitful. The young Dutchman has zero goals from open play and his two penalties were in a 5-0 EFL cup win and 2-1 EFL cup loss. Janssen looks lost at the central striker role, unable to link up with any of the experienced players Spurs can play in the midfield.
Tottenham is reeling without Kane and their record and goal production is starting to show it. Following their 2-0 victory at City, Tottenham has managed just one goal in open play across 360 minutes of football. Janssen played 306 of those minutes. A side note worth noting about that City match is Spurs started Heung-Min Son at striker and Janssen entered the game in the 90th minute.
There isn’t enough data to call the Janssen signing a failure just yet. He is after all only 22 years old and has zero experience in a top European league. While Harry Kane’s injury gives him a chance to shine in the EPL, it also gives him a chance to fail. If he doesn’t adjust to the EPL before Kane’s return, he’ll likely see reduced first team playing time.
Silver: Paul Pogba
I’ve always felt “the world’s most expensive footballer” is a more a reflection of the economics of the time rather than skill. While the Pogba deal ranks as the highest transfer fee of all time, he certainly was not more “valuable” to his previous employer than Bale, Ronaldo, or Suarez, all of whom cost their current clubs less money to acquire. Pogba’s lofty price tag simply reflects he is the most recent potential superstar to be sold by one big club and bought by another.
United’s 89 million pound midfielder has been poor, often looking disengaged from play on the field. I don’t buy the argument that Pogba’s lack of production is a function of not having the right players around him. If you take out striker turned attacking midfielder turned defensive midfielder Marouane Fellaini from the starting XI, the wealth of options Mou has in the midfield are some of the best in the league. Juan Mata to this day has not been used consistently in a Mourinho system and lack of consistency takes its toll on the player.
Mou and Thiery Henry were quoted recently saying Pogba needs more time to adapt to a new style. Old Trafford is arguably one of the top three footballing Meccas of the world, meaning expectations are always high. Yet, this United squad was not built to be a project. Zlatan, whose form is also contributing to United’s lackluster play, is in Manchester this year to win this year. Short adaption times should be built into expensive price tags.
Pogba has three goals this year in games in two games United won 4-1; his only contributions to the team since his debut against Southampton. While he wasn’t necessarily signed to score goals, he was signed as one of the best playmakers in the world. His playmaking abilities have been noticeably absent in his first 10 games and now Mou is talking of how he would make a great central defender. Playing Pogba out of position is not going to make him more involved in the game.
Aside from the EFL game against lowly Northampton Town, Paul Pogba has played every minute for United since his debut. Critics should not be attacking Rooney for a lack of production while giving the “world’s most expensive footballer” a pass.
Gold: Claudio Bravo
Claudio Bravo cost City as much money as Vincent Janssen cost Tottenham, yet Bravo was expected to make an impact from the beginning. Singing Bravo confirmed Pep’s intention of wanting the ball to be played from the back all the way into the attacking 18 yard box. Plenty of teams prefer keepers with good footwork.
Bravo’s performances, including footwork, have been horrific since joining City and sources have confirmed Joe Hart is physically incapable of wiping the smug, yet justifiable grin off of his face.
City narrowly won Bravo’s debut over crosstown rivals United in a 2-1 victory. United’s loan goal was thanks to Bravo not gathering a simple free kick, dropping it to Zlatan for a simple tap in. Since that game in early September, Bravo has been able to keep just two clean sheets against Bournemouth and Borussia Mochengladbach; two teams that aren’t exactly footballing giants.
The biggest flop of a performance came against Bravo and Pep’s former club, Barcelona. Bravo wasn’t necessarily at fault for Messi’s first goal, but could have made the Argentine work harder to score. Then this happened early in the second half. Two Bravo mistakes in the span of 5 seconds that, if it already wasn’t, sealed the game for Barcelona. I would go even further and say Bravo should take some of the blame for John Stone’s gift to Southampton.
City started the season 5-0-0 with goalies not named Claudio Bravo. Since then City have gone 5-2-3 in all competitions largely due to Bravo gifting opposing players goals or goal scoring opportunities. The fact that Bravo has already cost his team points in a tight title race AND allowed 4 goals in just 143 minutes of Champions League football earns him the pole position in the Ballon d’worst race.