There are two ways to judge this, one subjectively and totally based on our own personal opinions, and then one which you interpret Jürgen's ambitions with window. I'll score Jürgen's separately at the end.
Mo Salah - 8/10 8/10
An 8 may not do him justice because he impacts the game so much with his play and gives us that added dimension that we lack whenever Mane is injured. Between them the pair can either rotate or devastate as a duo. I don't think he's hit anywhere near his top form and is still suffering from nerves and even still the goals are flowing for the lad due to our creativity and of course his explosive pace.
Dominic Solanke - 7/10
By rights this kid was wanted by many teams and it's easy to see why. When we look back at him costing somewhere in the region of £10m, in this window, that is going to look stupidly cheap. He already improves the squad by some distance, he's the starter we need when Firmino isn't around. I know some will say "but we have Sturridge", for me Sturridge is best played for those final 30 minutes, we've seen a few times last season and already this that his legs down't last the 90, they barely last the 30 and when he's played from the beginning his impact just isn't meaningful enough. Solanke can most definitely become our number 2 striker this season, without question.
Andy Robertson - Too early
I haven't seen enough to judge him but the thing you would say is it's clear he's been brought in more as back up than he has to start. Given Moreno's early season form I'm not worried about that, but others are. The little I have seen of Robbo is impressive, the way he whips in a cross is as dangerous as we've had in a long time. Peach of a left foot and it's almost a novelty to see that from our wide areas. It's defensively I've not seen nearly enough to know, so will have to reserve judgement until I do.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7
I was surprised to see he only missed 5 games last season as I've thought he's struggled with injuries for a long time now. Excited to see him in our red shirt and think he'll make it as a CAM without question. I've seen him play there for Arsenal and been very impressed, I also think he's excellent cover for the wide lads, hence Kent leaving on loan. Even against the bus parkers playing him at RWB would be an option but because we have both Trent and Gomez for there it's far less likely that we'll need to do that unless we want to give one of the young lads a rest. Overall I think he'll be a huge boost in quality for squad depth and will really keep the pressure on many of our starters due to his versatility.
Navy Keita - 9
Only a 9 because he's not signing until next season, but this is the purchase of the window by any team in the league in my opinion. Absolutely the best midfielder that's going to be in the league and there's talk we may get him by Jan, that would be a tremendous boost to our campaign if possible but a truly thrilling player to watch who almost counts as 2 players in the same way Kante does but just has far more in an attacking sense than Kante could ever offer. Player of the season candidate without question and what an African trio we have, 3 of the best 5 in the world!
Players Out
Lucas - I think, had Jürgen known that VvD wasn't coming in he may have tried to persuade Lucas to stay another year, but that's been the story for a few years now. There's just not the minutes there to offer a player who clearly has the quality to offer first team footy to a lot of teams. We'll miss him, in more ways than we'll truly get to know but I wish him all the very best and thoroughly respect his decision.
Origi - Regressed to the point that it was frustrating seeing him come on. A loan or even a sale would have been my choice, but who knows he may progress in the role in Germany. If people want to learn about his early career take a look in his player thread, Danzel did a great post that shows why he looks so much better on the left and why there still may be time for his striking ability to develop but in truth I wont be holding my breath.
Sakho - I think he's a fantastic player but the boss rules on strict adherence to rules and this lad flagrantly broke so many that we simply have to respect Jürgen's choice. It was over for him here the moment he got sent home, I couldn't see him playing again for us and so it's proven. He'll do well wherever he goes but I suspect without maturing his problems will also follow him too.
Overall - 7/10
The reason so high is that I believed last season that when we had our full XI out that we were a match for anyone and were just about the best team in the league. The problem was always the drop from first team to bench players, the quality dip was too far, that dip is now isn't as severe and with the introduction of Keita it will be at the point where just a CB and we'll have 2 or more really strong players for each position, something we haven't had in a stupid amount of time.
Jürgen's goals:
Clear to me he wanted:
LB Cover
Salah
Ox
Keita
VvD
It seemed obvious from the start that these were the only players we were being linked with, when things went quiet it wasn't that we were looking elsewhere, plan A remained plan A as he said. Now he's got 3/5 already and secured Keita (the one worth waiting for) for next season. The one major failing is obviously VvD, I'm convinced that Jürgen asked for assurances off Virgil and gave them in return, if you knock back Chelsea and Arsenal then we'll not go looking for anyone else, you're my guy so to speak. That could look foolish, naive, ignorant, he'll be called many things I've no doubt about that when it comes to this decision, some of which I think is fair but it's also extremely loyal and I'm hoping that loyalty may pay off sooner rather than later. If we get him in January also then I very much doubt, and of course hope, that we should be in crisis back there by then. We have Emre Can also who can slot in at the back if needs be but this without question will be where our frailties will show the most. 7/10
Overall a good window that could easily have been great with just one more player.
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