EPL transfer sagas reaching fever pitch
LONDON — With the transfer window due to close in two weeks, the pressure is mounting on Premier League clubs to get their business done in time — and not everyone is enjoying the process.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has grumbled about the champion’s failure to meet his transfer expectations, Tottenham has yet to make a single signing and Liverpool is in a tense standoff with Philippe Coutinho after Barcelona’s attempt to land the Reds star. Conte’s sour mood Despite spending $167 million on Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko since masterminding Chelsea’s title triumph, Conte remains miffed Manchester United chief Jose Mourinho won the race for Romelu Lukaku, while Leonardo Bonucci and Alex Sandro also eluded him. Those miscues, combined with the departures of Nemanja Matic, John Terry and Nathan Ake, have left Chelsea short of quality understudies. Conte, who has also cast striker Diego Costa into exile, heads into Sunday’s clash at Tottenham without Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas following their dismissals in last weekend’s stunning loss to Burnley. Poch eyes fresh faces A quick glance at the scoreline from Tottenham’s 2-0 victory at Newcastle last Sunday suggested all is well with Mauricio Pochettino’s side. But the costly redevelopment of White Hart Lane has forced Tottenham to be cautious with its spending. And after Tottenham leftback Danny Rose criticized his club’s failure to sign enough marquee names, Pochettino added to concerns over the transfer impasse when he admitted he needs fresh faces to maintain the momentum from last season’s second place finish. Tottenham starts its temporary stay at Wembley with a visit from Chelsea, which beat it there in last season’s FA Cup semifinals. Coutinho vexes Liverpool Liverpool has found an already demanding start to the season marred by a tug-ofwar with Barcelona over Coutinho. Ignoring Coutinho’s transfer request, Liverpool’s American owners have dug their heels in, insisting the Brazil forward isn’t for sale at any price. With Coutinho sidelined by a back injury, Liverpool has had a glimpse of life without their prize asset and the early returns have been mixed. A victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday would be a timely boost to Liverpool’s belief in its principled stance. Everton goes for broke Fortified by the British record $97 million fee received from United for Lukaku, Everton manager Ronald Koeman has embarked on the kind of spending spree never before seen at Goodison Park. By the time Koeman shattered his club’s transfer record with the $58 million capture of Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson on Wednesday, the Dutchman had splashed out $180 million in a bid to make Everton a top four contender. Yet some cynics have noted Koeman’s signings — also including Wayne Rooney and Davey Klaassen — lack the one thing they really need after Lukaku’s exit: a first class striker in his prime. Mourinho bides his time When Mourinho laid out his plans for a twin assault on the Premier League and Champions League, he handed United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward a list of four positions he believed must be strengthened. Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic have arrived for a combined cost of $185 million, but Mourinho’s wish for a penetrating winger might have to wait until January. With Woodward unable to pry Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan and Gareth Bale still committed to Real Madrid, Mourinho has reportedly opted to keep his powder dry. Lukaku’s debut brace in a 4-0 demolition of West Ham was encouraging for Mourinho, who leads his team against Swansea on Saturday.