The summer of 2018 will bring big changes to the Premier League in terms of transfer activity.
Premier League is a competition which keeps breaking the transfer record barrier. Last summer’s £1.4 billion spent on new recruits stands as a proof of the league’s financial dominance and with the 2017/18 football season at its end, another hot summer of intense speculation and likewise activity is once again expected.
Manchester City have spent a significant amount of money to boost their title-winning squad with Manchester United not lagging behind. Everton have been surprisingly proactive as well, even though their investments did not bring the expected results. It is expected that Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool will be at the centre of attention this summer as all three sides look to catch up on the Manchester-based clubs in terms of finances.
With the 2018 World Cup in Russia around the corner, the Premier League clubs will be keeping a watchful eye on more talented players who could be pouring into the British Isles this summer.
The latest update regarding the Premier League summer transfer window is definitely expected to ring notable changes and to reshape the English football for good. And for the better, in that regard.
New Closing Dates
Premier League clubs have put in a vote last November to reschedule the summer transfer window which will end on the Thursday before the 2018/19 season starts.
Such a decision has been taken with a view to end disruption that’s been ever present for years now with players leaving and joining squads with season well underway. All transfer activity will be concluded before the new season kicks off as of this summer, which is a commendable change from the league.
In the past, several managers have complained about the disruption caused during the opening weeks of the season when players involved in transfer dealings would often become unsettled and unable to focus on their game.
Jose Mourinho was the first manager to urge the league to approve the new schedule.
“As as a football man, as somebody who wants to work with the team, work with players – I would prefer the window to close as soon as possible.”, he said.
New Opening Dates
With summer transfer closing date being pushed back, the date window will open has also been rescheduled to preserve the overall time frame designated by FIFA.
The Premier League summer transfer window 2018 is hence set to commence on Thursday, May 17, which is almost a month earlier that it was the case before.
The league officials have shifted the opening date to comply with FIFA rules which state that window must remain open for 12 weeks. The Premier League clubs can now start spending this week instead of June 9.
Adding to the new schedule set to be officially introduced in the English top tier, the EFL is following suit – but with a major difference.
The Championship clubs are already allowed to make summer moves with the start date being pushed from June 10 to May 7. The EFL clubs can – for now – only sign players from within England, with the international window set to open on June 6.
Similarly, the EFL clubs will be able to sell players until August 31 but won’t be able to bring in replacements after the deadline – now standing at August 9.
“This new approach will give clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of month if required.”, EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey commented.
How do you think the new schedule will affect the English football?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
