After a poor season that almost ended in relegation, Tottenham Hotspur Hotspur shocked everyone by spending more than £185 million on two midfield reinforcements. Manchester United have come close to £85 million across two arrivals in the position, while still promising a third midfielder. And Manchester City have the most expensive signing of the window so far… midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Although the transfer window in England has only just begun, it has already seen more than £440 million spent on midfield signings alone. And those numbers are likely to rise…
It is clear that controlling midfield is once again a priority for clubs and national teams. We saw Spain dominate the supposedly unstoppable France through control of the central area, Norway get past Brazil with a sublime midfield performance, especially from Martin Odegaard, and Carlo Ancelotti tell our report that a midfield overhaul for the national team will be needed for the next cycle.
From the flanks to the middle
Throughout the history of tactics, teams have used many variations over the decades to try to control opponents, both with and without the ball. English direct football once saw Scottish passing style as its early counterpoint. Brazil introduced the world to the joga bonito, and full-backs, once merely defensive figures, began to contribute more in attack.
The 4-2-3-1 kept the focus on the flanks as a priority in the development of wingers after 4-3-3 had dominated the game from Rinus Michels to Pep Guardiola. But in an era in which teams are studied relentlessly and solutions are created by analysts and coaches every week, another approach became necessary.
Pep Guardiola began looking back to Herbert Chapman and the W-M, the 3-2-2-3, which revived the value of central play in an interesting reinterpretation. The system, which can also be viewed as a 3-2-5 with a double pivot in build-up, became the foundation for teams around the world. Build-up mechanisms started to mirror a structure similar to the WM. Midfield has gained new importance as the game has evolved, and the market is responding accordingly.
Revolutions starting in midfield
Curiously, after Pep Guardiola’s departure, Manchester City’s major transfer target was a midfielder: Elliot Anderson. One of the most sought-after players in the English market, Elliot had been on Manchester United’s radar and was linked with Liverpool, but when the Citizens entered negotiations, there was no longer any doubt about his destination.
A starter for England at the World Cup and a standout for Nottingham Forest in recent seasons, Elliot is 23 and cost £116 million. He is the most expensive signing of the window so far.
After two seasons to forget, Tottenham promised to abandon austerity and instead opened the cheque book. Their bid for a different future has centred on a midfield revolution with the signings of Sandro Tonali (£100 million) and Mateus Fernandes (£85 million). After Elliot, they are the window’s next most expensive transfers. Both were also being monitored by Manchester United.
The Red Devils, led by a former midfielder, Michael Carrick, have also prioritised midfield reinforcements in this window. They set out to sign three players there and have already secured two: Andrey Santos (£48 million) and Youri Tielemans (£35 million).
With the departure of Casemiro and the long-term injury to Manuel Ugarte, the club looked for fresh legs in the area, gaining more tempo and defensive solidity with Andrey and more creativity with Tielemans, who will join Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo. and another reinforcement expected to arrive. Alex Scott, from Bournemouth, is among those linked.
Back in the Champions League, United have backed new faces in attack in recent windows (Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo are recent signings). To take the next step, they are carrying out a midfield revolution.
Meanwhile Everton also opened the window with reinforcements in the area: Hayden Hackney and Merlin Rohl for around £33.5 million for the pair.
Newcastle, who lost Tonali and are seeing Bruno Guimarães courted by Arsenal, brought in Sean Steur for just under £20 million. Should their Brazilian maestro leave then another midfielder will be needed.
The window has only just begun, and with just over £440 million invested in midfielders so far we will certainly rise in that figure before the Premier League kicks off. The new season promises changes, especially in midfield…
