Seeing so much negativity on the timeline and actual real people claiming this is the worst window anyone has ever had is doing my head in.
Let's go over this disastrous window.
Looking at the profiles we needed last season, we needed
β A ball playing GK.
β A CB partner to Colwill.
β A LB to cover/compete with Cucurella.
β Depth in midfield.
β 1-2 new left wingers.
β A #10 to cover for Palmer.
β 1-2 new strikers.
Granted, there is an argument to be made that it's quite poor that we actually needed all these profiles in the first place β considering the money spent prior. Ignoring that and focusing on this window alone β it's actually been quite good.
We've brought in Jorrel Hato β one of Europe's best defensive prospects β to back up Cucurella at LB and cover wide LCB β another profile we lacked.
We've brought back/in both Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo into our midfield β to not only provide cover but to actually provide genuine competition for a starting spot.
We've signed both Garnacho and Gittens for LW β 2 profiles that are actually perfect, profile wise, to Maresca's system.
We have signed Liam Delap β the exact profile of striker we lacked last season β and Joao Pedro, who is an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson's role in the team.
We have also wrapped up a deal for Geovany Quenda β unanimously one of the brightest prospects in world football for the future.
In addition to this we have seen last summer's signing of EstΓͺvΓ£o come in β a talent who is arguably up there with Lamine Yamal in terms of potential.
Then there's also the likes of Mike Penders, Kendry Paez, Dastan Satpaev and Mamadou Sarr to take into account.
The only positions we haven't actually adressed is ball playing GK, a CB partner for Colwill and a pure back-up 10 to Palmer β where we actually are, reportedly, working on Fermin Lopez β while FB has been signed*, on loan from Brighton to provide temporary cover.
While we all want a better GK than Robert Sanchez and a dominating CB(even more so with Colwill out injured) we do have to ask ourselves these questions: Who is available that just absolutely improves us? What impact does it have on the other players we have?
Adding another GK this summer is complicated by the existence of Mike Penders.
Adding another CB this summer is complicated by the existences of Josh Acheampong, Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino β in addition to the crazy depth we already have number wise β not to mention the fact that Levi Colwill will actually return from his injury.
The addition of more attackers is complicated by the existences of Kendry Paez, Dastan Satpaev and Β£50m signing Geovany Quenda.
We're building a squad with a long-term vision in mind and we're not in the business of making rash decisions for the sake of making decisions.
Our fanbase has somehow fallen for the temptation of going for the league this season β which isn't crazy considering the weaknesses in the teams around us and the fact that our players and Maresca are thinking the same way.
However, our squad builders are THIS close to the finishing line that is completing the project.
Have you ever taken part in an egg race? A race where you are moving from one side to the other while balancing an egg on a spoon? I'll compare it to that. We are SOOO close to the finishing line β all we need to do is remain steady and cross the line. Believe in the project. Finish it properly. I know it's tempting to run the last few metres but you are only risking dropping the egg right before the finishing line β risking everything you did prior.
It was always going to be impossible to do everything that needed to be done in one summer β but a lot of the lacks we have β we have already sorted. The players we have brought in just aren't ready yet(GK: Penders - CB: Josh, Sarr, Anselmino - #10: Kendry + Satpaev & Quenda).
I beg you all to distance yourselves from the moment to look at the big picture and you'll see things much more positively.