Almost everywhere, the transfer window closed its doors last night. Some players whose future turned out to be bleak were able to change clubs in extremis but others remained at the quay. They will have to redouble their efforts or get a helping hand from fate to have playing time because for the moment, these elements are likely to heat up, at best the bench, at worst, that of the tribune. Small list of these players whose departure would have been welcome.
First of all, there are those who, it was quickly understood, would have difficulty finding an exit position commensurate with their ambitions. We are of course thinking of Lyonnais Tino Kadewere and Jeff-Reine Adélaïde. The first came out of a rather failed loan to Mallorca (2 small goals in 19 games), when the second was sold to Troyes for a season, without managing to keep ESTAC in Ligue 1. He also had trouble chaining . Retained by his club, Nicolás Tagliafico would have left Les Gones to sign at Manchester United.
Malcontents at Arsenal
The Red Devils ended up choosing Sergio Reguilon, who arrived on loan, but Marc Cucurella came close. Finally, the Spaniard stayed at Chelsea where he may not play much, just like a certain Malang Sarr. They are someone in England to fear for their playing time. Still on the side of Old Trafford, Harry Maguire did not find a buyer but it is at Arsenal that we will have to be wary of the locker room. Between Cedric Soares, Nicolas Pépé and Emile Smith-Rowe could transmit their frustration.
We stay in London but head to Tottenham this time. Long courted by Stade Rennais, Davinson Sanchez ultimately did not move. Same thing for Hugo Lloris whose departure was desired by everyone. Announced on the Lazio side, the world champion will finally play the role of Vicario’s understudy. Tanguy Ndombele also risks finding the time long but the midfielder has touches in Turkey, which we revealed a few days ago, a country where the transfer window is not yet closed.
Ekitike gets embarrassed
At Fulham, it is João Palhinha who must have regrets. On Friday, he was the subject of an offer of 65 M€ from Bayern but was retained by his club faced with the impossibility of finding him a replacement. At West Ham, Lucas Paqueta unpacked after being very close to Manchester City. Only a sports betting case linked to his relatives ruined everything. Staying with the Hammers, the Brazilian will not be a teammate of Hugo Ekitike, who stayed at PSG where dark days are ahead for him.
Also courted by Crystal Palace, which only offered a loan with an option to buy, and Eintracht Frankfurt, the striker is still Parisian despite his club’s forcing him to leave. He remains in the group, just like Keylor Navas, who did not find a buyer. Still in Ligue 1 and as expected for a few weeks, Jonathan David has remained at LOSC. Unlike all the other cities before him, the Canadian will have playing time. He remains the only professional scorer on his team.
