Summer Transfer Period Aftermath

Okay, so the summer of 2012 has been not only busy and productive, but very interesting to say the least.  I posted a blog at the beginning of the summer reporting huge name rumors and early deals, but now, its September.  The main transfer window has been closed shut until January.  Let's break this down into losers and winners.


Losers

AC Milan:
This team was basically stripped of its core, losing both Thiago Silva and more importantly Zlatan Ibrahimovic, both to Paris St. Germain.  Other key players like Mark van Bommel, Antonio Cassano, Alessandro Nesta, and Alberto Aquilani.  Who did they receive in return?  Virtually nothing.  The Serie A has lately been noted for being weak in general because of the latest scandal, but other teams like Juventus and Roma both bolstered their respective squads.

Liverpool:
Gone is Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll.  Carroll may be overrated but LFC is now only left with Luis Suarez as the remaining bred striker.  Suarez can be volatile at times regarding his temper, so where does leave Steven Gerrard?  Left yet again to attempt to try and run a beheaded team without any spark.  Pepe Reina is aging and isn't the same anymore.  LFC signed  Fabio Borini and Nuri Sahan on loan, but so far, neither have provided any stroke of genius as the Reds seem to be heading down a rotten spiral again.

Real Madrid:
News broke yesterday of CR7 feeling "sad".  What does this do to the defending La Liga champs?  Not much in the stretch of things, because a Madrid team firing on all cylinders is near impossible to beat.  Only one notable signing was Luka Modric.  Michael Essien, the other signee, will receive only limited sub time.  Madrid doesn't need much, but they have not won a European championship with their current lineup.  The City's, Chelsea's, and PSG's of Europe continue to spend money in high hopes.  Maybe Madrid should've done the same.

Winners

Manchester United:
Where to begin.  Shinji Kagawa was seized from Borussia Dortmund early in the summer, and already is making a playmaker impact in the midfield.  He's crafty, and while he lacks communication skills (Japanese), is quickly learning Sir Alex Ferguson's system.  While losing a down-and-out Dimitar Berbatov to Fulham, ManU decided to strengthen their attack with the biggest steal of the summer, Mr. Robin van Persie.  While Wayne Rooney has recently been injured, RVP showed why "He scores when he wants".  RVP is lighting up the stat sheets, and already has Manchester in a positive uproar.  The newly acquired Nick Powell, a young prospect also has much upside.

PSG:
Paris St. Germain decided to pull a Man City.  They spent like crazy this summer, and it looks like it will pay off in Ligue 1 play.  They pulled Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva from AC Milan, Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Gregory van der Wiel. DAMN.  Ligue 1 is no joke of a league, but the PSG Project looks here to say.  Minus maybe Ibra, who isn't very well known for his loyalty.  But PSG's already strong lineup is nasty.


Everton:
Everton has impressed early, with great form by Fellaini.  Steven Pienaar signed a long-term deal after his loan spell last year, so he's locked in.  Tim Howard is in fantastic form.  The Toffees signed Belgian striker Kevin Mirallas to add some proven spark up front.  Bryan Oviedo may be a little unknown at this time, but put him in the backburner of your mind now.  After selling Jack Rodwell to Man City, Everton collected 24 mil. pounds in return, putting them into the positive revenue side.  Everton took ManU early already, and looked damn good while doing it.  They may finish higher than last year's decent run.

Borderliners

Arsenal:
Oh Arsene Wenger.  You may have lost a ton of fans for allowing van Persie to go, but you did help secure proven strikers in Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.  Midfielder Santi Cazorla is newly acquired from Malaga, and has already impressed this Gunner fan.  Easily the Spanish midfield prototype, Cazorla is the new Cesc Fabregas in London.  While Arsenal may have looked unimpressive in the first two games, everything clicked in the third.  Cazorla and Podolski scored, and along with a solid goalie and back defensive line, Arsenal may have shaken off early cobwebs and doubt.

Chelsea:
Another big signing came in the form of the talented Eden Hazard.  Chelsea's new playmaker takes alot of pressure off of Frank Lampard.  After seeing the departing of Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres is ready to step into the spotlight, already providing a few goals early.  Brazilian sensation Oscar and another acquision Marko Marin can boost Chelsea's midfield and wing play.  But the question remains, what happens if Torres loses his newfound form? Or is injured? Who steps in the spotlight?  Another striker would have helped.