To spend big or not at all? The Premier League conundrum

Fulham, Wolves and Everton have gone all out

The Premier League transfer window has closed, and now is the time to see if those summer signings (or lack of) are a success.

There’s always a risk factor when you bring a player in. Equally, choosing not to sign a player comes with a risk too.

The big spenders

Fulham, Wolves and Everton were three sides who overhauled their squads this summer.

The Cottagers became the first promoted side to spend more than £100m in a summer window, while Everton brought in three players from Barcelona plus a £50m move for Richarlison.

As exciting as it is, bringing in new players always requires time for them to gel. But with the new season upon, that’s time teams don’t have.

And if the new signings don’t work out, there is always the threat of relegation with an inflated wage bill. It’s ruined many a club in the past.

No change at Spurs

In contrast, Tottenham Hotspur became the first Premier League club since 2003 to not sign a single player in the summer window.

While some Spurs fans may be disgruntled by the apparent lack of progression, it means boss Mauricio Pochettino can hit the ground running with a squad he knows inside out.

Time will tell if Fulham, Wolves and Everton’s squad overhaul is a success. History shows it can go either way…

When it works

Chelsea – 2003