S Poddar
With less than a few hours of the summer transfer window left, two English Premier League powerhouses, Arsenal and Chelsea, have made headlines in the final hours with significant last-minute deals. With the clock inching towards the 11pm deadline, both teams were in a mad dash against time to firm up their lineups.
The most arresting transfer, though, was Arsenal’s. Raheem Sterling, an integral element at Chelsea, was eventually found surplus to the requirements of the new Stamford Bridge regime. This desperation for experience and firepower up front saw Arsenal swoop with a cut-price offer, eventually accepted by Chelsea. It has been called a loan with an option to buy that would give Arsenal the flexibility they need while adding a proven Premier League star into their ranks.
Sterling is not holding back, and he has written a letter to Arsenal supporters. “I’m excited to start this new chapter with Arsenal,” Sterling stated. “It’s a massive club with a rich history, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success this season.”
While Sterling’s move dominated headlines, Chelsea were equally busy securing the services of Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho. With Sancho still struggling to find consistent form at Old Trafford, Chelsea reportedly had Sancho on their radar for weeks. Eventually, the deal was pushed through just minutes before the deadline, with Chelsea desperate to inject more flair and creativity into their attacking options.
Sancho’s arrival at Chelsea therefore felt like a statement of intent. For all his struggles, he remains arguably England’s most gifted young player, and the hope inside Stamford Bridge will be that he can reignite the kind of form that once made him one of Europe’s most wanted talents while at Borussia Dortmund. To Sancho, this transfer is a fresh start, the chance to resurrect his career amidst the bright lights of London.
That was, though, not all on deadline day, for there were two clear blockbuster moves: Manchester United needed to fill in the gap left by the loss of Sancho and made one late attempt to bring in a replacement. Although the deal never materialized before the window shut, the frantic efforts of the club made for an intense end to the transfer market.
Elsewhere, other clubs across Europe were also in the mix as many deals went into the early hours of the morning. It was Arsenal and Chelsea taking the main headlines, though, due to their high-profile signings, setting up what should be an interesting Premier League campaign.
The arrival of Sterling will perhaps be a masterstroke for Arsenal, with the versatility and experience that could just about elevate them to challenge for top honors. Chelsea will be hoping, on their part, that Sancho can rediscover his best form and help them mount a serious title challenge.
With the dust now finally settling on another transfer window, both sets of fans will no doubt be salivating at the prospect of their new signings influencing their teams. As the season is afoot, the attention will now fall upon Sterling and Sancho to make their marks in the Premier League once more.
