This is the penultimate offering in our recent series of transfer features here at Kettle before the start of the start of the 2014/15 Premier League season and the team we’re going to b
This is the penultimate offering in our recent series of transfer features here at Kettle before the start of the start of the 2014/15 Premier League season and the team we’re going to be analysing are QPR, Southampton, Stoke and Sunderland.
QPR
Last time we saw QPR in the Premier League during the 2013/14 season, it was a disaster. As they lurched from one mistake to the next off the pitch, they were doing no better on it and found themselves battling survival for most of the season.
After a successful Championship campaign that has seen them bounce straight back into the top flight, Harry Redknapp and co will be hoping to make their stay a little less eventful.
Although their transfer business in the run up to Saturday hasn’t made many headlines that certainly doesn’t mean that it is any less decent. Bringing in Cardiff stalwarts Jordon Mutch and Stephen Caulker as well as former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will provide much needed strength in depth at the back as they will be up against some fierce strike forces throughout the season.
Southampton
Where to start with Southampton? Well if there is one team who have certainly had more outgoings than incomings during the summer then this is it; names such as Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have been flung out of the door at St Mary’s for some rather impressive sums, totalling around £60m.
That’s a lot of money to have fallen into the hands of the Saints owners and new manager Ronald Koeman but so far they have failed to replace the big names that they have lost meaning that they could be in for a very bumpy ride this season having won many new fans during the last campaign.
Having reached the impressive heights of 8th last season, there will be a lot of eyes on Southampton and the players that they have brought it in, including Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle but they will need to do more effective business if they’re going to get anywhere near the top half come the end of the season.
Stoke City
For a team who have been branded for their physical style of play in the past, Stoke City appeared to be taking a turn towards the back end of last season and it’s a change that many will be hoping stays in this next campaign. Following the departure of Tony Pulis, Mark Hughes came in and provided the Potters with a breath of fresh air and has continued to do so over the summer break.
Following the remarkable signing of Barcelona forward Bojan, who is a bright talent full of creative spark, Stoke fans will be praying that Hughes can get the best out of him in a league that is now full of big-name stars such as Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas and if he can do so then Stoke will be in with a chance of breaking the top 10 in brilliant fashion for the second season running.
As for other players making their way to Staffordshire, Stoke have also brought in Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell and Phil Bardsley who have all proven to be decent additions to the sides that they have played for.
Things are looking up for the Potters, let’s see if it can continue.
Sunderland
At the end of last season, Sunderland performed one of the Premier League’s greatest ever escapes from relegation as four wins in five lead them onto an impressive 14th place finish in the league but if they’re going to perform well this season, they’re going to have to do it from the start.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a rather quiet and unassuming transfer window which gives the impression that manager Gus Poyet feels that he has enough to work with in order to obtain results this season. They have managed to bag themselves goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, midfielder Jack Rodwell and defender Patrick van Aanholt for little or no money which is very good business indeed and it will be interesting to see how they fit into the side over the coming weeks.
What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.
