TRANSFER DEALINGS! WHAT DO THEY MAKE YOU?

A SCALAR OR VECTOR

LIVERPOOL

In the second edition of this series I take a look at Liverpool in the transfer and whether these transfers will take Brendan Rodgers and his men ( and new men) forward or backwards. The Reds have been by far, the most active English side on the market. A direction Brendan Rodgers and the Liverpool board must take after a topsy-turvy season. Brendan Rodgers has seemingly gotten his men for the positions the team was lacking in last season. 

Brendan Rodgers started his summer dealings early allowing him to avoid bidding wars with rivals and give most of his signings a sufficient bedding in period to get used to the team. Players who took part in post season tournaments for their nations were were given the opportunity to know their futures as early as possible and gives them the chance to prepare themselves mentally while recharging physically after their exploits. Also Rodger's preference for young and upcoming players as seen in the signing of Joe Gomez shows his plans for the team's future. Liverpool's dealings this summer are full fledged internationals for their various nations. The signings also have a mix of experience in the Premier League  as well as youthfulness, a perfect mix for the long and tough season ahead.

The Red's activity this summer not only includes arrivals but much needed exits. It would come as a relief to various fans that the Raheem Sterling saga was not allowed to drag on which could have been a potential source of unrest in the dressing room. Also, the timing would be beneficial to the club as it gives them sufficient time to find a suitable replacement. Also the departure of club legend, Steven Gerrard allows the other players a chance to step up in his stead and show how they can be better versions of him. The potential exits of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini would be beneficial to the team as it will free some much needed space in an otherwise bloated attack not forgetting the space that will be freed on the wage bill. Youngsters who will have little or no chances in the team should be sent on loan but Mr. Rodgers should keep in mind the longevity of the season and prevent leaving himself understaffed at the business end of the season.

These arrivals and returnees added to his already existing squad give Brendan Rodgers a flexible squad to allow for tinkering before the season starts. The staff at Anfield should look at keeping key players fit as well as high general fitness standards. Team psychologists need to assess the psyche of various players and maintain a high level of motivation all season to allow Liverpool challenge on all fronts. With a seemingly all round and versatile squad at his disposal, anything worse than being more successful than last season could cost Rodgers his job come the end of the season.

The summer activities might slow down but an experienced defender or two should be on the cards to help maintain an assault on all fronts for the Reds next season. With all this activity, Liverpool seems to be making "vector" signings rather than "scalar" ones which bodes well for the Red Army but we are quite a long way from the season so let's wait and see.

TRANSFER DEALINGS! WHAT DO THEY MAKE YOU?

 A SCALAR OR A VECTOR?

MANCHESTER UNITED 

At the end of last season, most Louis Van Gaal and most United fans all over the world breathed a sigh of relief. That sound represented the end of a grueling, and challenging season. A sound that gave them the chance to regroup and improve their side. To assess the results £153 million gave them. To add quality and weed out those in the side to make up the numbers.

Van Gaal was ahead of us in this aspect as he made an astute signing before the season's end in the Dutch Eredivisie top scorer Memphis Depay. Just when we thought the spending would subside, Ed Woodward sanctioned the deals for German and Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger and French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin for a combined £39.4 million. The double signing looks to solve the glaring central midfield problem even the great Sir Alex Ferguson sufficiently failed to fix since the departure of Roy Keane. The signing of Italian utility man Matteo Darmian allows Van Gaal to go about his frequent tinkering with more belief now as Darmian is a proven quantity. Also the signing of Depay gives Van Gaal an added dimension to his often blunt attack last season. The added bonus of keeping Spanish shot stopper David De Gea for another season in spite of the fact they could lose him for nothing next season to Real Madrid. 

During every transfer season, there are arrivals and departures and United's departures this summer include Robin Van Persie and Luis Nani. Though often surplus to requirements last season, their presence might have been beneficial to the team as the season promises to be long starting from August. The potential exit of Argentine winger will be a big loss to the team as with these signings he would be free to display the form that compelled Ed Woodward to shell out £ 59.7 million. Also the potential exits of Javier Hernandez and Johnny Evans could leave the team short staffed at the business end of a long season.

The team is far from finished as  Van Gaal said earlier, the team should make a few more deals before the end of the summer. A striker or two as well as defenders are needed to make United competitive again and the pursuit of Sergio Ramos, Nicolas Otamendi, Edinson Cavani and other players shows that United are serious about regaining their status as England's top club. 

Some quarters within the United fanbase are worried about some of the summer dealings so far with respect to their experience on the big stage with the exception of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Also, the issue of adapting to pace and quality of the Premier League as seen with Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

The summer business so far seems good and the potential deals are also looking good but suitable replacements are needed for the exits and potential departures are needed to make United the juggernaut they once were in the Ferguson Era.

Just as the old saying goes, "You are what you eat" but this summer I say, "You are who you buy" and I'd like to know if you think Manchester United's business dealings will make them a "vector team" with direction and quality or another  "scalar team" with a bloated squad of summer disappointments in the comments section.