Jay Rodriguez signs for the Baggies

⚽ **TRANSFERS: English Premier League 2017/18** ⚽

Dynamic No.9

Player: Jay Rodriguez

Age: 27 years

Position: Centre Forward/Left Winger

To: West Bromwich Albion

From: Southampton FC

Estimated Fee: £12 Million

Report:

The Baggies have added more firepower to their improving attack. Recently linked Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez has signed for a reported £12 Million. Rodriguez is a brilliant signing for the club, more importantly to help them in a position they struggled with last season; left wing.

Almost 3 seasons ago, Jay had a number of teams such as Arsenal and Liverpool chasing his signature until a season ending injury hampered his progress. With West Brom, this season is simply make-or-break for him.

Career Statistics:

Rodriguez signed for Southampton in their inaugural Premier League season, and in his prime, he guarantees goals. In his 285 career appearances, he has scored 86 goals. The 2013/14 PL season saw him score 15 Goals, his most successful campaign till date. These performances also helped him earn an international call-up. Since then, long term injuries have limited his game time.

Jay’s Attributes:

Being a No.9, Jay can add decent pace to his play, bursting skillfully down from the left wing. The opposition would find it difficult to catch up to him once he gets going. He also has the ability to finish one V one chances. Assisting and scoring goals both go hand in hand, but what is his best position?  

Left Winger or No.9:

With Southampton, he used to begin primarily as the left winger and occasionally as a No.9. Goals and assists used to come from the left wing, so it is expected that left wing would be his starting role for the Baggies. But the lack of pace in comparison to 2-3 seasons ago would be a problem. The manager would have to decide his position according to their opposition to get the best out of him.

Rodriguez has had a start-stop career due to injuries. As the new season approaches, it’s also a new start for his professional career with West Brom. If he can replicate his stunning 2013/14 season form and link up with Salomon Rondon, it would boost West Brom’s European qualification ambitions!

All the best to him and his future with the club

💙 Willy Caballero joins the Premier League Champions Chelsea on a Free Transfer! 💙

⚽ **TRANSFERS: English Premier League 2017/18** ⚽

Penalty Save Specialist

Player: Willy Caballero 

Age: 35 years

Position: Goalkeeper

To: Chelsea FC 

From: Manchester City 

Transfer: Free Transfer (End of Contract)

Report:

Premier League champions Chelsea have announced their first transfer for the new season on a Bosman deal! Former Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero has agreed a deal after his contract expired. He comes as the second choice keeper behind Thibaut Coutois for replacing the now departed Asmir Begovic.

2016/17 Season Statistics:

• His most productive season for Manchester City
• First choice for the second half on their season in the Premier League 
• Made 27 appearances in all competitions 
• 17 Premier League appearances with 7 clean sheets

Caballero’s Cleverness:

• At 35, he has a safe pair of hands ✅
• Has plenty of first team experience ✅
• Will help Courtois progress as a goalkeeper ✅
• He makes important athletic saves in a game ✅
• Has decent reflexes ✅
• Shows calmness in a one-on-one situation ✅
• He is a penalty save specialist ✅
• An ideal keeper to have if any game goes to a penalty shootout ✅
• He will be rotated him well by the manager ✅
• Mainly his involvement would be in Cup games ✅

Any drawbacks:

There is just one question regarding consistency. He will be a consistent performer in Chelsea’s cup games, but he will find limited time in the Premier League as the manager doesn’t like changing the defenders every week.

Conclusion:

There’s no doubt that he is perfect keeper for Chelsea to have as their second choice. Maybe he can add a Premier League winner’s medal to his accolades, who knows?

All the best to him and his future with the club!!! 

💙 FC Barcelona re-sign Gerard Deulofeu from Everton for €12 Million & permanently sign Marlon Santos for €5 Million! 💙

⚽ **TRANSFERS: La Liga 2017/18** ⚽

The Dribbler Assist King

Player: Gerard Deulofeu 

Age: 23 years

Position: Right Winger

To: FC Barcelona 

From: Everton FC 

Estimated Fee: €  12 Million

Report: 

FC Barcelona have once again taken advantage of one of their smart buy-back clauses! 

They have re-signed Spanish wizard Gerard Deulofeu from Everton and they too have received double the value they paid for him 2 seasons ago. This time around, Deulofeu comes as a much more mature player having gained plenty of first team experience in Europe’s elite leagues.

Career Statistics: 

• Previously was loaned to Everton in 2013/14 
• He managed 29 first team appearances, scoring 4 goals and assisting 5 times ✅
• Inconsistent performances restricted him to game time ✅
• Everton opted from making the deal permanent ✅

• Loaned to La Liga side Sevilla 
• Made 28 appearances with 3 goals and 10 assists ✅

• Everton signed him permanently in 2015/16 
• Proven to be a valuable asset for the club ✅
• Made 46 appearances, scoring 4 goals with 14 assists ✅
• Once again performances began deteriorating ✅ 

• AC Milan signed him on a season long loan 
• Re-established himself as a first present player ✅
• Made 18 appearances in the second half of the campaign ✅
• Found the net 4 times with 3 assists ✅

This last stint may have prompted Barcelona to finally make the move to re-sign him 

Deulofeu’s dribbling ability: 

On his day, Deulofeu is one of the best dribblers in the world. He is a right footed player who primarily plays on the Right wing. He adds a lot of pace and trickery to his attack. This even prompts him to take on the opposition and confuses them immensely. That’s the reason; he has been the assist king with all three clubs moving into double figures.

Selfish Play: 

Going for glory! This one quality has shown a negative impact on Deulofeu’s play. From the right wing, he tries to strike on goal from a near impossible angle. Instead of passing, he shoots which ultimately costs the whole game. This breaks his consistent run of games and ultimately leads him warming the bench. It is bound to happen once again this season but it may not cost the entire game. If he improves and passes rather than shoot, it could turn him into a quality winger for the future.

Breaking the M-S-N Partnership: 

At this moment, it would be strange to say that it will happen right away next season. But Deulofeu’s arrival has surely increased competition for the Right Wing role. He could frequently get games for Barcelona if the formation changes to a 4-2-3-1. However, it would be difficult to see Deulofeu become a first team regular this upcoming season.

Gerard Deulofeu - Welcome back to Barcelona 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hBwSHqvGKM

All the best to him and his career with his club!!! 

___________________________________________________________________________________

⚽ **TRANSFERS: La Liga 2017/18** ⚽

Player: Marlon Santos 

Age: 21 years

Position: Centre Back

To: FC Barcelona  

From: Fluminense 

Transfer Fee:  €5 Million

Report: 

On 14^th June 2017, Barcelona permanently signed Centre Back Marlon Santos for a €5 Million Fee. Having impressed on loan for the Barcelona B Team, the club gave him a first team debut last season and includes him in their plan for this season. Marlon will replace the now departed Jeremy Mathieu.

Marlon caught Barcelona’s attention having impressed for Brazilian side Fluminense. He made 44 appearances as a centre back. The loan move to the Catalans saw him make an impressive 27 appearances for the Barcelona B Team helping them win promotion. This impressive run even saw him make 2 starts in the La Liga and one substitute Champions League appearance.

 

With the first team, Marlon will have a lot of responsibilities on his mind. He will have to be prepared physically and mentally. His valuable contributions will help the club in attaining their objectives for this season.

All the best to him and future with the club!!!