The current state of play
The race for Champions League spots in the Premier League has livened up in the last few years. Teams like Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham are challenging the Traditional “Big Six” teams with astute signings, world-class managers and intelligent operators at the club’s top. These three teams have already started planning for next season, and we will analyse each club’s business so far and some of the challenges they might face in their hunt for entry into Europe’s premium competition,
Aston Villa
The main overachievers of last season under inspirational manager Unai Emery. Their PSR issues have led to numerous transfers as we enter into the middle of July, as they aim to consolidate their position in and amongst the traditional top six clubs.
Embed from Getty ImagesTransfer Business
They have upgraded their midfield options with the signings of Enzo Barrenechea, and Ross Barkley, to offset the loss of fan favourite Douglas Luiz to Juventus. Although the loss of Luiz would have hit both the fans and manager Unai Emery hard, the potential addition of Amadou Onana from Everton would give them an added bite to add alongside Boubacar Kamara, John Mcginn and Youri Tielemans. Onana would give Aston Villa added aggression and physical aggression in the middle of the park, something that Luiz especially struggled with at the back end of last season without the presence of Boubacar Kamar.
Ian Maatsen helps to fill the void of the revolving door of left-backs at the club. However, there are doubts about his ability to defend top-quality wingers in the Premier League. He suits Emery’s technically sound profile for a left-back, similar to Alex Moreno, adding energy on the left-hand side whilst the right-sided full-back tucks in and adds more defensive stability on the other.
Another interesting dynamic is the addition of Samuel Illing Junior, who also has the potential to play left back at a stretch. With Pau Torres and the returning Tyrone Mings as the two left sides ’ fullbacks available at Emery’s disposal, it will be interesting to see how the left-sided dynamic will work this season alongside the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rodgers further forward.
Embed from Getty ImagesEnough experience for UCL football?
Although they have added some great young signings this summer, time will tell whether it will add the depth required to compete in the Champions League. None of the players signed by Aston Villa have significant Champions League experience, which is often crucial when trying to compete with the big clubs. With the change in the Champions League format and adding more games to the football schedule, I wonder whether the signings made will make a difference in big games across the season.
I believe that signings should be made to automatically compete and fight for a place in the starting 11, and whilst I don’t doubt that some can do that, Aston Villa should aim to buy more bonafide Champions League players that will be able to compete with the current crop of players. A new signing in the right-back position to replace Ezri Konsa if he moves to centre-back should be a priority, alongside a second striker behind Ollie Watkins, similar to the dynamic Newcastle have with Aleksander Isak and Callum Wilson.
Aston Villa has some great operators at the top of the club, such as Monchi and Chris Heck, who manage the finances and the transfer dealings. However, with Unai Emery’s high-intensity football coupled with the club’s end-of-season struggle when fighting for the top four and the introduction of more games this season, only time will tell whether they will be able to repeat their incredible exploits.
Newcastle United – A time of change
Unlike Aston Villa, Newcastle have yet to make much noise on the transfer front this summer. However, there has been quite a lot of change on the operational side of the club, which could severely impact their transfer strategy this summer and the happiness of their Manager Eddie Howe.
Embed from Getty ImagesOperational Change
The recent news of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghdoussi, Newcastle’s co-owners, leaving the club has caused some concern among Newcastle fans. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) or the Reuben Brothers are set to take over the duo’s stake in the club. With Staveley and Ghodoussi being such key cogs in the reinvigoration of the club after Mike Ashley’s ownership, there have been many questions about who will be the prominent figureheads inside the club and whether there will be any restructuring.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth has also left to join Manchester United. Still, they have a more than capable replacement in Paul Mitchell, who is wanted around Europe by teams such as Manchester United for his scouting and transfer expertise. He was credited with the signings of Sadio Mane and Toby Alderweireld made under the tenure of Nigel Adams and Mauricio Pochetinoo. He has European experience with past roles at RB Leipzig and AS Monaco as their sporting director.
This could provide Newcastle with a similar level of expertise that Newcastle have with Monchi, allowing them to scour the market to develop the team. Mitchell’s expertise in scouting young players could fit the “new Newcastle’s profile” in a squad that still has some of the footprints of the Ashley regime.
Embed from Getty ImagesA change in transfer approach?
It will be interesting to see what the approach will be under the introduction of Mitchell. He has been welcomed by the signings of Lloyd Kelly, Lewis Hall, and John Ruddy. However, there is plenty more work to be done. A potential replacement on the right wing for the ageing Miguel Almiron, alongside a striker to compete with Aleksander Isak and replace Callum Wilson could be an aim. Newcastle could also look for players around the 24-27 range, entering their careers’ prime, alongside the promising 19-23 young player profile that Mitchell would be able to scout and attract to the club despite the lack of European football this year.
Newcastle ran out of steam at some points last season, and getting leaders in the prime of their careers similar to Bruno Guimaraes’s mould could be beneficial. It would allow Newcastle to release ageing squad members entering their last year of deals, such as Wilson, Martin Dubravka, and Kieran Trippier, in a year or two.
Newcastle’s lack of European football could be a blessing in disguise for the club. It would allow them to focus more on their Premier League progress while smoothly bedding in some of the team’s younger members. With Mitchell at the helm and Newcastle’s ability to keep some of their key players, such as Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, Newcastle could be on a chargeback to European Football again in the next year.
Conclusion
It will be fascinating to see whether these two clubs compete for European football next year. The managers have been vital to these clubs’ recent success, but this summer could be the battle of the sporting directors, Monchi vs Paul Mitchell, who can gain the most talent and provide the most impact for their clubs this season. It is refreshing to see a moving of the guard at the top of the Premier League, and hopefully, these two clubs will establish themselves as part of the new “top six”.
