Manchester City and Liverpool have completed their primary responsibilities early. The additions of Erling Haaland and Darwin Nez will provide each team with considerable optimism heading into the preseason, leaving rivals wondering how they can catch up.
A player and club must give a new addition as much time as possible to settle in. By closing deals in June, they can take care of off-the-field matters, including where to live and, if necessary, schooling for their children. It allows a player to concentrate on adapting to a new work environment and everything that comes along with it.
The signing of a world-class talent who will strengthen the team’s roster will provide teammates with a tremendous boost. If Liverpool had not promptly replaced Sadio Mané, their players may have felt unhappy knowing that a high performer had departed and that his goals, assists, and all-around play would not be replaced.
The fact that City and Liverpool have added players will energize the team, and players will realize they need to improve since the newcomers will challenge and push them to their limits. Players must thrive in a competitive environment.
When tasks are completed early, it becomes ingrained in everyone’s psyche. A player told me that his club did poorly during a season in which no new players were added. They won the Premier League the following season after signing three elite players since new players instill confidence and motivate others.
It places pressure on those in the top six chasing groups to get things done. Players at those clubs will wonder why they are not spending similarly on a striker and why they are forced to rely on transfer rumors while City and Liverpool are incorporating Haaland and Nez into their rosters. Observing others advance while oneself stagnates is difficult for aspiring gamers. They will question how they can compete with them when they are already behind by mid-June.
Mané was Liverpool’s finest player in the latter months of the season after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. However, when money is offered to a player entering the final year of his contract, it is prudent to accept it. It was obvious that he wanted to leave, therefore replacing him is preferable to forcing him to stay.
I would choose Jürgen Klopp if I were to choose one manager who uses money wisely. I believe that no other manager would use £30 million as wisely. It is not usually a strength for other managers, but Liverpool recruits well and utilizes its financial resources wisely. Nez has a six-year contract, allowing him ample time to develop, and he will have resale value.
From a business perspective, it was the best decision. I am saddened by Mané’s departure since he has been an outstanding player, and Liverpool fans rightfully admire him, but change should not be dreaded.
Benfica’s Nez did not always have the best support, but he kept the ball well and could dribble. In the Champions League, he posed several difficulties for Liverpool.
He stood out like a sore thumb at Benfica due to his uniqueness. Nez had two solid wingers, but the entire squad revolved around him. Even if he was unable to score, he would maintain possession and link the play. I can understand why Liverpool pursued him.
At City, Pep Guardiola is constantly growing; he has several methods and frequently alters the smallest elements, and he will do the same with Haaland. The city will not make such an effort to sign Haaland without utilizing his abilities. With the wide players they possess and the flanking areas they attack, Haaland will be six to eight yards out, tapping the ball in. Due to the players around him, he will score 20 goals next season.
There will be high expectations for him, although City finished with 93 points last season, leaving little opportunity for growth. They are acquiring Haaland to ensure that their opponents do not acquire a world-class striker. They are aware that he will have resale value if City decides to let him leave, possibly to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
There will be pressure on him to contribute to City’s success in Europe, but we must control our expectations. Many of the City’s marquee acquisitions have required time to adjust. It took Raheem Sterling three seasons to reach double-digit goals in the league, Rodri a long time to adjust to the Premier League, and Jack Grealish has demonstrated how tough it is to immediately fit into a Guardiola club. However, Haaland possesses the aptitude and temperament to do so.
City and Liverpool are the teams to defeat on the field, and their savvy commercial acumen and ruthlessness in the transfer market demonstrate that they are also difficult to catch off the field.
