The
transfer window is a time in which every team are able to build and improve
their squad in preparation for the new season. They buy players, they sell
players, they even loan players to make sure they are in the best position possible
when they begin their first match. However, improving their squad is not the
only thing the teams do, they also give themselves a better frame of mind.
Knowing that you are going into this season with a better team than you had
this time last year will give you a mental advantage over other teams that
maybe haven’t improved quite as much as you, for example, a fierce rival. Below
are some of the big rivalries throughout Europe compared in terms of transfers.
Manchester
United vs. Manchester City
Manchester
has been the home of the BPL champions for the past 3 years with Manchester
United taking their 20th title last season. However, it’s Manchester
City who will be going into this season with the most confidence of taking home
the trophy. So far, Manchester City have made four big-name signings in
Jovetic, Negredo, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho, spending a whopping £97.7m in
the process. Manchester United have so far made no big-name signings. As ever
they have been linked with many big stars such as Ronaldo, Fabregas, Thiago and
Bale but none have seem to come close to fruition. Udinese’s Luis Muriel is a
fresh rumour to emerge in the past few days with it being said that he is lined
to replace Rooney if he does in fact get his move away from Old Trafford.
FC
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
The El
Classico is quite possibly the most anticipated fixture on the calendar every
year. The battle between two of footballs greatest ever teams never fails to
disappoint year in year out and has brought us many great moments throughout
the years. Barcelona have made the biggest signing of the transfer window so
far, with Real Madrid set to smash the transfer record to land their main
target. Neymar’s arrival to the Nou Camp for £50m has got fans everywhere,
excluded Real Madrid fans, excited at the prospect of seeing him and Messi work
their magic up front. However, Real Madrid’s anticipated £100m purchase of
Gareth Bale could eclipse that. The sight of seeing Ronaldo up the left wing
and Bale up the right wing could quite possibly blow peoples mind.
FC
Bayern vs. Borussia Dortmund
The
2013 Champions league final was an all-German affair between these two great
teams that have dominated the Bundesliga for the past few years. Bayern’s near
perfect season last year, winning the treble and losing just two games, has
firmly cemented them as probably the best club team in the world. Bayern’s
purchase of wonder boy Mario Gotze from Dortmund for £32.5m will give them a
massive mental advantage over their main rivals. The arrival of Thiago
Alcantara from Barcelona for £22m is another big signing for them with the
22-year-old Spaniard arriving with bags of potential. It is a running joke that
Dortmund only buy players with the longest names, but Bayern will not be
laughing if players like Mkhitaryan and Aubemeyang give them a chance of
regaining the Bundesliga title.
Juventus
vs. Serie A
The
arrival of Tevez and Ogbonna have given Juventus as great chance of winning the
Serie title for the 30th time even with the departures of Anelka and
Giaccherrini. AC and Inter Milan have not made any real moves yet in the
transfer window, but they do have a number of young players still growing and
getting better. Following the departure of Edinson Cavani to PSG for £56.7,
Napoli have brought in a number of great players including Higuain, Reina,
Albiol, Mertens and Callejon. They were runners-up in the Serie A last season
with the hope of going one better this time around.
PSG vs.
Monaco
PSG or
P$G as they are commonly known these days have carried on their mass spending
spree this season with the arrivals of Cavani, Marquinhos and Lucas Digne,
costing a massive £97.6m. Ligue 1 newcomers AS Monaco have had a similar
approach to the new season, spending a huge £128.6m on Falcao, James Rodriquez
and Joao Moutinho among others. They have shown that they will not be beaten
when it comes to spending power, but can they show the same on the football
pitch?
So
there we have it, football rivalries from around Europe compared in terms of
transfers. Who will come top in each of the domestic leagues? And remember, all
these teams are rivals to each other when it comes to the biggest competition
of them all, the Champions League.
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