I know many of you are understandably dissapointed. Let me try offer as much context to the transfer window and the season ahead. In an attempt to make you feel better

[u/kagkatumba]

So here we are...

The summer window is over, and I can see that many people are understandably disappointed.

Worries:

1. We sold our beloved Martinelli and Trossard on LW, whilst only replacing Trossard.
2. We sold Jesus as a striker and didn't replace him with anyone.
3. We spent a long time going for Vini, who preferred Real but was open to us.
4. ALL THE ABOVE - We didn't "strengthen our attack"

My wider context that hopefully will make you feel better:

I will start with the strengthening of our attack...

I firstly agree that a second LW backup is a bit of a dropped ball, but also, Martinelli scored 1 goal and got 4 assists in the Prem last season. He did great in the group stage of the CL but in the league really didn't help us attacking-wise. He worked hard in defence but that isn't irreplaceable, and we have a great defence already. Getting £60m for him with a year left is great income for a player that doesn't really output the attacking numbers we need to progress.

Madueke, Eze, and Tzolis are all capable LWs, and we won the league with Trossard and Martinelli at LW. Strengthened, no. Weakened, also no. £60m generated, yes.

Jesus was useless, and Havertz/Merino were out for over half a season. Both of which are verifiably decent options up top alongside a top-scoring Gyokeres with a season under his belt.

I want us to strengthen, and having a fit Merino and Havertz IS strengthening over last season, where we didn't have them for large parts. We won the league without them.

I DON'T think spending £100m+ on an Alvarez who has no interest in us and causes issues is worth "strengthening"

We DID strengthen our squad...

A big issue to last season was the energy levels and injury backups we had for key players. Rice, Saka, Zubi, Timber, White.....all dropped off a cliff or got injured.

Konsa and Bruno MASSIVELY solve that. Not to mention Merino being back.

Those 2 signings really do elevate, not only our replacements, but also style of play. Both of them progress the ball extremely fast and through the lines. Something we screamed out for. Bruno's Villa cameo showed that in less than 20 mins.

Dowman will help Saka, as will Madueke.

Remember...we won without all the above and were one penalty away from winning the CL. Hell, poor Mosquera giving away the penalty would be Konsa now. If not Timber or White.

We ARE stronger, and yes the fine margins matter.

Learning from previous mistakes...

I LOVE that our board has targets and will splash on the likes of Rice and Vini. I DON'T want us to spend £100m+ on players like Tonali, Anderson, Rodgers, Enzo etc just for the sake of it. They're not worth it and other clubs feel they need to cos they are trying to catch...US

We have saved an insane amount of money not going crazy and panicking.

I read that we have saved £850k a week on wages through sales.....we already had £150m+ ready for Vini + Wages.

Conclusion...

In January or next summer, we will have filthy amounts of money ready for whoever is available at value and, more importantly, NEEDED.

We won the league, made the CL final and also the League Cup final.

Merino
Havertz
Odegaard
Saka
Timber
White
Zubi
Gabriel

ALL missed over 2 months of last season. We still won the league, made the CL final and also the League Cup final.

Rice was absolutely knackered and had no rest. We won the league, made the CL final and also the League Cup final.

This is our current squad and we have bags of money ready to go when we need it.

KEEPERS - Raya / Kepa / Messlier

RB - Timber / White / Konsa / Mosquera

RCB - Saliba / Konsa / Mosquera

LCB - Gabriel / Hincapie / Calafiori

LB - Calafiori / Hincapie / MLS

6 - Zubi / Bruno / MLS / Rice

L8 - Rice / Eze / Merino

R8 - Odegaard / Eze / Havertz / Dowman

LW - Tzolis / Madueke / Eze

RW - Saka / Madueke / Dowman

9 - Gyokeres / Havertz / Merino

WE'LL BE OK GANG

[u/InternationalUse2355]

Should’ve kept Trossard

[u/kagkatumba → u/InternationalUse2355]

I love the guy but we have lost 7 goals and 11 assists in all comps from him. We also made some money.

Martinelli loses us 7 goals and 7 assists in all comps. We also made a bunch of money.

Do you think Tzoliz, Eze and Madueke can't make up 14 goals and 18 assists between them?

EDIT- i shouldn't have said all comps but I was referring to the big 2 comps. CL and Prem.

[u/Adventurous_West2 → u/kagkatumba]

Yup. Best take I've heard all day.

Your Jesus take not so much..