Summer Transfer Window "No Brainers"
We look into some transfers that appear to us are no brainer moves for all parties
picture via transfermarkt.com
This summer is tipped to be one of the most blockbuster transfer windows in recent memory, even rivaling last summer window, which saw two of the greatest players ever to grace the field, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, make moves to new clubs. With many big names rumored for transfers, I am going to be going through some of the transfers I believe are “No Brainers” and benefit all parties involved. Transfermarkt.com and fbref.com provide all pricing and statistics for this post.
#1: Raheem Sterling to Chelsea
Pictured above, Raheem Sterling has enjoyed one of the most underrated careers as a winger in the Premier League era. Scoring 131 goals and assisting 95 in 339 appearances in all competitions puts him second on Manchester City’s all-time scoring list. This run of tremendous form saw his value peak as high as $176 million in December of 2019. However, with him getting older and many clubs unwilling to shell out that kind of money in the post-Covid world, his value now has dropped to around $77 million. As his time at City is coming to an end and the signing of new forward options like Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, a move away from the Etihad is looking more and more likely.
Chelsea is a club that has been leading the race for Sterling’s signature since the window opened earlier this month. However, he has picked up other interest from rivals Arsenal and Champions League winners Real Madrid. Despite this, I still believe Stamford Bridge remains the best option for Sterling. With the Blues looking to offload many of their attacking options, such as Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, and Romelu Lukaku this summer, this will leave the perfect opportunity for the 27-year-old to slot right into Thomas Tuchel’s system.
Statistically, Raheem Sterling is an absolute monster attacking-wise, ranking in the 95th percentile for progressive passes received, the 98th for touches in the opposition penalty box, and the 99th for non-penalty expected goals. This means that even though many Chelsea forwards have struggled to produce significant numbers since the exit of Eden Hazard, Sterling could have an immediate scoring impact. In a side that scored 23 fewer goals than Manchester City last season, a player of the Englishman’s caliber could be a “No Brainer” acquisition to start the Boehly era at Chelsea, especially for the rumored price of around $60 million.
#2 Serge Gnabry to Real Madrid
picture via goal.com
Another player linked to similar moves to Raheem Sterling is Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry. The German has enjoyed a successful spell at the Bundesliga giants, winning every possible trophy at the club level. In the process, he scored 64 and assisted 40 in 171 appearances in all competitions across six different positions. He is naturally suited to play wide, with most of his appearances on the right side of a front three. With a new era coming at Bayern and the addition of new attacking signings like Sadio Mane, Gnabry’s exit looks like an almost certainty.
After Manchester City signed Erling Haaland and the dramatic saga of Kylian Mbappe saw him sign a contract extension with PSG, Real Madrid is in dire need of an RW option in their lineup. In the 21/22 season, Los Blancos relied on the young Brazilian Rodrygo and Federico Valverde, a natural CM, to fill in, sometimes having to switch away from their preferred 4-3-3. Gnabry would not only contribute experience and attacking threat but also offer more depth on that right side, especially after the exit of club legend Gareth Bale.
Going forward for Bayern, the 26-year-old has some of the most impressive numbers in the squad. Ranking above the 90th percentile in non-penalty goals (97th), progressive passes (91st) and carries (94th), passes attempted (93rd) and received (92nd), dribbles competed (91st), and touches in the opposition penalty box (95th). These numbers make him the perfect fit for a Real Madrid side that lacks creative power on the righthand side with their RB spot, another position that will require upgrading in the next few transfer windows. With his current Transfermarkt value at $71 million, he is a cheaper alternative to the over $200 million Madrid was prepared to drop on Mbappe. This one is quite the “No Brainer.”
#3 Wilfred Ndidi to Manchester United
picture via 90min.com
Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi has been a player that has flown under the radar of many transfer rumors this summer. This could be credited to him still having two years left on his contract at the King Power Stadium. Nevertheless, the Nigerian international is ready for the next step in his playing career. Making just over 200 appearences for the Foxes, Ndidi has contributed significantly to the success that followed the team’s miraculous 2015/16 title triumph. Signed to replace the world-class Ngolo Kante, the 25-year-old has done well to make a name for himself as one of the best DMs in the Premier League and gain much attraction from bigger clubs.
Ndidi has been no stranger to rumors of a move to Manchester United throughout his time at Leicester City. However, now more than ever, United needs to start looking his way and making some serious midfield acquisitions under new boss Erik ten Hag. With the club already being linked to other more attacking midfield targets like Frankie de Jong and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a true six or DM is required to give the Red Devils the midfield rebuild that has been needed for almost ten years.
Stats-wise, Wilfred Ndidi is all you could ask for in a Premier League defensive midfielder. Not only does he rank in the 93rd percentile for interceptions and 91st for ariel duels won, but he also ranks in the 99th percentile in both tackles and clearances per game. This would mean he would be a direct upgrade on the likes of Scott Mctominay and the young James Garner. With a Transfermarkt value of around $66 million, it could take quite the sum to take him off of Leicester’s hands. However, should Manchester United fail to secure any other expensive midfield moves they are linked to this summer, adding Ndidi to their priority list could be a “No Brainer” to return to the league form they were once known for.
Those were three of my summer transfer window “No Brainers.” I want to keep this as a weekly series, especially as the market starts to heat up, opening up new opportunities for transfer stories. Once again all statistics and prices were via transfermarkt.com and fbref.com. Thanks for reading!