Transfer Season, The Biggest Moves

The transfer season, the time that every football fan both loves and hates because they want to see their squad improve without seeing their star players leave for other opportunities. 10 days into the transfer window and not many moves by the English 'big 6' have been made, mostly just inquiries and maybe the odd bid, but that doesn't mean that big transfers haven't happened elsewhere in England. I take a look at some of the biggest transfers of the window so far, and my thoughts on them.

Credit: The Telegraph

ARCHIE GRAY (LEEDS TO TOTTENHAM)- £30M

Arguably the biggest transfer on the summer so far, the 18 year old wonderkid from Leeds moving to London in a big deal for Tottenham. It was always going to be difficult for Leeds to say no to £30 million and Tottenham knew they needed to get him before any other side could place a bid. A Spurs side who finished 5th last season might have found the key to Champions League football this season, as Gray will be looking to come in to the side to play a defensive role in a Tottenham side looking to concede less, after conceding 61 goals this season. Gray was a star in the Championship last season, having some of the best defensive stats in the league last year. A defensive midfielder who isn't afraid to bring the ball forward and find the perfect forward pass, which he often does find. Combine that with Ange Postecoglou's attacking tactics and Gray seems like a natural fit for this side, with the only question that fans have is about his lack of Premier League experience. In my opinion, this is a brilliant move for both player and club, and Leeds have a big pot of money to fill in gaps if some more stars leave this summer. Tottenham won't become title challengers with this signing, but if they can get some more star signings then this is a side that definitely can win a lot in the next 5-10 years. This is a very good start to the transfer window for Spurs, and soon we may see Archie Gray in the Champions League.

RATING: A-

Credit: Daily Mail

IAN MAATSEN (CHELSEA TO ASTON VILLA)- £37.5M

The first time that Aston Villa have qualified for the Champions League and they are acting like it. The left back spent a season at Borussia Dortmund on loan where he helped take them to the Champions League final, where they lost against Real Madrid. Maatsen comes in to create a headache for Villa boss Unai Emery, as he has to make a decision between Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno on who may leave the club. Maatsen isn't highly regarded for his defensive work, but his attacking ability to come forward and play the right pass to the right player. For £37.5 million, I'm not too high on Maatsen joining Villa, even though I appreciate his attacking work. Even though we are seeing attacking full backs being utilised more often in the modern game with a defender coming out wide to cover for them, he seems like an unremarkable LB. His passing is brilliant but his ability to bring the ball forward and dribble past defenders isn't as good, which is a worry. However, a 22 year old with Champions League experience is not something to dismiss, and I am curious to see how he does at Villa, but I don't think he will be too good for the Villains, so I am expecting an unremarkable season from him.

RATING: C-

Credit: Newcastle United

ELLIOT ANDERSON (NEWCASTLE TO NOTTINGHAM FOREST)- £35M

Forest are looking to throw some money around in hopes to better their 17th place finish in the Premier League last season, and they start with a big money move for 21 year old Elliot Anderson. The Scottish midfielder played only 22 games last season for Newcastle due to a back injury, and has only played 43 games in his entire Prem career, with both seasons seeming to be an average Prem player. The deal also includes goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos with Forest only spending around £10 million in cash. However, I believe that this is still steep price to pay when Forest could have spent the money elsewhere for a higher quality player. Anderson's age is likely why Newcastle asked for such a high price for him but he does have some potential to be better than just an average player. The question is, can he fulfil that potential at Forest and follow in the footsteps of Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest have splashed some cash and lost a backup GK and I think that they've misfired, a high price to pay for a midfielder that hasn't shown much when there are other options that may have fit Forest better. Newcastle have taken the money and ran, and now Forest have big work to do to keep them up this season.

RATING: E

Credit: Leicester Mercury

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL (LEICESTER TO CHELSEA)- £30M

One of the best midfielders in the Championship has made the move from the Midlands to a struggling Chelsea side. Dewsbury-Hall was named in the Championship Team of the Year and played a big part in Leicester's promotion, scoring 12 and getting 14 assists over the course of 44 matches this season. He heads to a Chelsea side alongside new boss Enzo Maresca, who also joined from Leicester City after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked at the end of a disappointing season, finishing 6th only 3 points above Newcastle United. Chelsea may look to play with 3 in midfield, with Dewsbury-Hall playing in a more advanced role with Caicedo and Fernandez sitting deeper behind him. A very good move for both player and club, and Leicester get £30 million to help them with their PSR concerns. Dewsbury-Hall can show his talent at a big club and Chelsea get a very solid midfielder who has impressed during his time at the Foxes and is ready for a big opportunity.

RATING: B

Credit: Transfermarkt

OMARI HUTCHINSON (CHELSEA TO IPSWICH) £20M PLUS ADD ONS

Ipswich's first time back in the Premier League for over 2 decades and they aren't afraid to reach into the vast amount of funds their owners possess. Hutchinson spent a year on loan at the Tractor Boys and impressed fans with the quality of his play, scoring 10 goals and 5 assists during his time in Suffolk. Chelsea weren't going to play him over Noni Madueke and wouldn't say no to £20m for what they consider to be a backup player. A real test for Hutchinson is to make Chelsea regret selling him, and forge a new history with Ipswich, who are still looking to spend lots more money, most recently interested in Liam Delap and Jaden Philogene from Hull City. Kieran Mckenna sticking with the players he knows best which can sometimes be a bad thing, but in this case I feel it is not. A solid transfer for Ipswich fans to get behind, and their chances of being relegated have gone down slightly, but still a lot of work needed for the Tractor Boys to feel safe.

RATING: C+

Credit: Southampton FC

TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS (MAN CITY TO SOUTHAMPTON) £20M

To round us off, we have another championship loanee joining the side they were at last season. This time central defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis makes the move from Manchester to the south coast after a good season at the Saints last year, a big part to their playoff win against Leeds United. The 22 year old started every game in the Championship last season and putting up some very impressive stats, mainly in his passing. The first summer transfer made by the Saints cost them a cool £20 million, but similarly to Omari Hutchinson, he would not have started in Man City's defence and now has a good chance to prove himself at a side looking to stay away from a relegation battle. In my opinion, this signing is up there with the best so far in this window, Harwood-Bellis is a talented defender and now gets to show his excellent craft in the Prem. A very good signing for Southampton, and I can see him doing big things this season, so keep a keen eye on him as I think he's going to make waves this season

RATING: A