Transfer Profile: Petr Cech

By: Ryan Bode

Petr Cech

Old Team: Chelsea

New Team: Arsenal

Basic Demographics:

After much speculation, Petr Cech has finally made the jump to a different team in the Premier League. After arriving in Chelsea in 2004, he has delivered many stellar performances as a goalkeeper. Making over 300 appearances for Chelsea, he achieved four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one UEFA Europa Cup, and one UEFA Champions League. Not to toot his horn further but he has won the Golden Gloves three times in the Premier League as well as being selected to many Best of Champions League squads. Just when a fan thinks that Cech cannot possibly achieve more, he shows his prowess as an international player. The 33 year-old goalie has made 114 appearances for the Czech Republic, the second most in appearances in Czech Republic history. Some of these appearances include a 2006 World Cup in addition 2004, 2008, and 2012 European Championships.

What Was His Transfer Fee?

Arsenal may have overpaid for a regular 33 year-old goalie, but Petr Cech is worth every penny to the front office. For €14 million ($15.59 million), Arsenal is bringing in a talented, experienced, and not to mention accomplished goal keeper that they have been searching for. David Ospina, who was the current starting goalkeeper for the Gunners, looks like he is going to be the odd man out at Arsenal with the signing of Cech, but this means that another team could possibly get a great goaltender at a cut rate.

What He Brings to Arsenal?

Do I really need to reiterate myself? Just in case, Cech is one of the most accomplished goalies in soccer history. He brings a championship mentality to Arsenal that is trying to get back to the top of the Premier League. He also brings stability to the goalkeeper position that Arsenal desperately needed. Ospina took over as the starting goalie from Wojciech Szcesny around January 1, 2015, when he was fined for smoking in the shower room after a 2-0 loss. Cech is a stable goalkeeper in the back and will help decrease the number of goals that Arsenal allows due to his command of the defense as well.

What Are His Outlooks?

The Good

Cech remains at the top of his game. He locks down the goal keeping job only getting spelled in unimportant matches by Szcesny but his job is safe. Cech also brings leadership to Arsenal’s defense that they desperately needed, shouting out commands like a general on the battle field. Arsenal is launched into the Champions League scheme for the Premier League, possibly looking to get a top three spot in the league. Petr Cech stays at Arsenal for a couple years, possibly getting a title for Arsenal in the process, and the Arsenal allows him to be transferred back to the Czech Republic to finish up his career.

The Bad

Cech does not live up to expectations. He makes Arsenal look like a fool for letting go Ospina. Szcesny and Cech keep switching game to game. Cech tries to command the defense, but they decide to not listen to him, allowing dysfunction and confusion to reign supreme. Arsenal will still be contending for a Champions League spot, at least for a Europa League spot, but anything beyond fourth is a dream for Arsenal. Cech will quickly decline in the years to come, finally exiting for a low transfer or his contract will run out.

 

Transfer Profile: Thorgan Hazard

Thorgan Hazard

Old Team: Chelsea

New Team: Borussia Mönchengladbach

Basic Demographics:

Hazard is used as primarily an attacking midfielder but also has the capability to play the wings (both attacking and in the midfield). Even though he did not play a single minute for Chelsea, Chelsea still holds him in high regard as a young player. Thorgan is the brother of Eden Hazard, who won the Barclays Premier League Player of the Year. Thorgan also has represented Belgium at all levels, but being left off of the current roster for the Euro 2016 Qualifiers. Hazard also has massive potential, only turning 22 this past March.

What Was His Transfer Fee?

The big focus on this whole transfer was how much of a profit Chelsea made off of this sale. Thorgan was bought for 500,000 euros ($561,997.50) and was sold for 8,000,000 euros ($8,991,960). Chelsea made a 1500% profit on the sale to Borussia M’bach, and that’s without Hazard playing a single minute at Samford Bridge. This is money well spent on Borussia M’bach part though, needing a potent player to upgrade their midfield in order to keep competitive in the Bundesliga. Borussia M’bach also knew what they were buying as well. Hazard played with Borussia M’bach while on loan from Chelsea.

What He Bring to Borussia M’bach?

Thorgan brings quickness to the midfield. His reaction paired with his explosiveness allows him to leave any defender in the dust. This can also bolster Borussia’s counter attack in the Bundesliga, something that is not commonly found there. He also has an above average foot from outside the box, but you will not be seeing him taking ridiculous shots from outside the box like Hazard. Hazard mostly likes to take it to the outsides and cut it back in. He is not a prolific scorer, only garnering three goals in all competition play for Borussia M’bach last year. Hazard is much more of an assists man, having 9 assists in 16 appearances last year.

What Are His Outlooks?

The Good

Enjoying his time at Borussia M’bach, Hazard starts to develop into one of the quickest midfielders in the game. Thorgan develops not only becomes more explosive, but also starts to take more chances from the outside the box. He will not necessarily score on all these chances, but he his shot total will increase and maybe just maybe one or two squeak by unsuspecting goalies. Hazard also develops to have good control in the midfield, using his explosiveness to leave the defender behind him once he beats him off the dribble instead trying to just out run the defender on the league. With his help Borussia M’bach will finish in the top half of the league, increase in scoring, and solidify a spot in Europa League.

The Bad

Chelsea makes their sale of Hazard look greater with the struggles of Hazard at Borussia M’bach.  Hazard will still have the quickness, but the defenders will beat him to the spot before he can turn on the turbo jets, stopping him in his tracks.  Thorgan is on contract through 2020, but is sold way before that due to his lack of efficiency for Borussia M’bach.  They will still make a profit due to his young age and potential that is still there, but will not make a profit like Chelsea did off of them.  With his struggle, Borussia M’bach will finish in the middle of the Bundesliga, with a great chance of missing out on Europa league.

By: Ryan Bode

Transfer Profile: James Milner

By: Ryan Bode

James Milner

Old Team: Manchester City

New Team: Liverpool FC

Basic Demographics

Milner is making another move, this time from Manchester City to another Premier League team. Milner is a right mid fielder but also has the capability of playing both center and left midfielder. He is 29 years old and is known for being a traditional outside mid fielder, assisting by crosses rather than scoring. He also can play striker and occasionally be seen as a right back during an injury crisis to a team.

What Was His Transfer Fee?

Free. Liverpool approached the Manchester City product to come join Liverpool when his contract was up at Manchester City. This is a great buy for Liverpool, saving the ever sacred transfer money to be used in other cases, such as the recent acquisition of Danny Ings and trying to buy that defense that they need.

What He Brings to Liverpool?

Milner is one of the most versatile players in the Premier League, which is a covetable asset. He knows how to play striker and create scoring chances while knowing how to play defense where he can cover for an injured defensive back. Milner primary asset though is his ability to create goal scoring opportunity on the sides. He can cross the ball into the box and create chances, which were scarce outside of Sturridge.

What are His Outlooks?

The Good

Milner shines with Liverpool, setting himself up to make the Best XI of the Week every single week. With his productiveness and more goal scoring chances for Sterling, he can convince Sturridge to possibly stay at Liverpool for at least one more year. In addition to rubbing off on Sterling, he can revitalize Mario Balotelli’s career at Liverpool, which has been more than a disappointment for all Liverpool fans. Balotelli and Milner were once teammates at Manchester City so they already have that existing relationship.  This revitalization for Balotelli could lead Liverpool to breaking even with Balotelli on the market by selling him to another team. Liverpool front office could also look like soccer geniuses if this move works, rekindling the Liverpool fan base’s trust in the front office.

The Bad

Milner’s versatility and ability to play every day eventually runs his body down. He currently is set to turn 30 this upcoming season and his body will start to show signs of fatigue after the years of constant playing due to his versatility. Milner suffers a set-back in assists and eventually becomes a player who is rotated into the starting XI instead of being a staple in the lineup for Liverpool. The good part about this situation though is that Liverpool did not spend much to acquire him, unlike the Balotelli situation.