Premier League: The questionable transfers

• Every transfer window, Premier League teams make certain moves that delight us all and some that leave us scratching our heads.
• We’ve chosen a few transfers that we deem a little dubious and question if they ought to have taken place at all.

Every transfer window, Premier League teams make certain moves that delight us all and some that leave us scratching our heads.

We’ve chosen a few transfers that we deem a little dubious and question if they ought to have taken place at all.

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz signed a five-year deal with Arsenal but he hasn’t had the best of starts. Photo/ Arsenal.com.

Kai Havertz is a player with extraordinary talent. Beyond a few isolated flashes, we haven’t seen anything in England yet.

He left Chelsea, where he spent most of his time playing out of position, to join Arsenal, where it was expected that Mikel Arteta would have some brilliant scheme to bring out the best in him.

Havertz, who was placed as the no. 8 in midfield, has instead done… almost nothing? Even though Arteta appreciates his good passing ability, he has so far seemed to be a supporting cast member.

The German’s latest blunder against Manchester United, right in front of goal, revealed his difficulties and lack of confidence. There is a fair possibility he will succeed, but considering how much the Gunners invested, it seems like a bit of a gamble.

Jonny Evans

We adore this transfer when it comes to sentimental value. It’s wonderful to have Jonny Evans back at Man United, the team where he made his breakthrough as a young player and won the Premier League.

He’s unfortunately passed his prime at 35. It is clear why United brought him back. To provide depth in the back, they require an experienced mind. But having to rely on the Northern Ireland international in important games is another matter.

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Due to Raphael Varane’s injury and Lisandro Martinez’s forced substitution against Arsenal due to a knock, Evans and Harry Maguire had to reunite like they did when they were both playing for Leicester City. But now that they aren’t nearly as effective a team as they were previously, the Gunners came away with a decisive victory in the dying minutes.

Raul Jimenez

Raul Jimenez poses at Craven Cottage after signing for Fulham FC. Photo/Fulham

On the surface, Fulham‘s announcement of the acquisition appeared to be a completely respectable commercial decision. Over the years, the Cottagers have failed to find a reliable replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic. However, they have finally, and for a relatively low transfer cost, secured an experienced Premier League professional in Raul Jimenez.

Then Fulham traded Mitrovic to Al-Hilal without making any effort to find a replacement. Numerous strikers, notably former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, were linked, but nothing materialized.

Given that Jimenez was unable to score in the Premier League last season, one is left to speculate as to where the goals will come from and what the actual transfer window strategy was.

Nicolo Zaniolo

Aston Villa brought Nicolo Zaniolo to replace the injured Emi Buendia. Photo/Aston Villa

After Emi Buendia sustained an injury early in the season, Aston Villa sought to find an immediate replacement and chose Nicolo Zaniolo. Galatasaray loaned the Italian player to them for the entire season in exchange for a large loan fee.

With two exceptions, it’s fine in terms of bargains. First of all, because Zaniolo is a player who is prone to injuries, relying on him week to week might be a serious problem. He just missed a few weeks of action due to a groin problem last month.

Second, the Turkish club has acknowledged the existence of a buy option to convert the loan into a permanent move for £34.3 million the following summer. Galatasaray’s willingness to sell Zaniolo after purchasing him for £13 million in February of last year should suffice to convince you that it was not a good investment.

Perhaps Villa merely agreed to the condition so they could complete the transaction and have no intention of using it. In spite of Zaniolo’s early success with Roma, couldn’t they have found more reliable players to join on a temporary basis?