The summer transfer window now shut, two TEAMtalk writers argue whether Manchester United or Chelsea have done the best of the business.
In Daily Debate, two TEAMtalk writers give their views on a hot topic and then invite readers to decide who has put forward the best argument.
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Which club have done the best summer transfer business?
With Chelsea having got their summer transfer business done early, has their boss Jose Mourinho proved his shrewdness again and come out on top in the recruitment process? Or has new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal made a signal of intent with a huge outlay of cash in a bid to make United great again?
TEAMtalk's Matt Stead is firmly in the Chelsea camp.
Matt Stead (@mattstead91) Chelsea
If someone were to draw up the template for a perfect transfer window, their first port of call should be to use Chelsea's summer as their first - and only - example.
Look at Chelsea's main weakness from last season. In eight of 38 games in the Premier League, Chelsea failed to score a single goal. Too often they were shut out against a defensively solid opponent. Games against West Ham and Crystal Palace stand out as occasions where the Blues just couldn't break down a stubborn opponent. Of their main rivals last season, Liverpool failed to score in only three games, and Manchester City just four. Indeed, their respective goal tallies (City 87, Liverpool 85, Chelsea 71), show just where Chelsea fell short last season.
So what does Mourinho do? He brings in La Liga's top goalscorer behind Messi and Ronaldo, Diego Costa (who already has four goals in three games). Not only that, but Cesc Fabregas (who already has four assists in three games) is drafted in. They already look a completely different animal, breaking down two teams who may have held out for a point last season, and blitzing Everton with six goals. They've outscored every team by at least four goals so far.
Looking at that, it's easy to forget that they've also signed a £20million left-back in Filipe Luis, as well as a cult hero in experienced striker Didier Drogba. With Thibaut Courtois returning from loan and already proving his worth, it's been a memorable summer.
In fact, Chelsea could probably field two teams, both of which would be worthy contenders in the top half of the table. Their strongest XI, of course, are favourites to win the title after an incredibly strong summer.
Remember too that all this has been achieved at the loss of around £6m. David Luiz, Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba have all been sold for an accumulative £76m, meaning that not only have Chelsea succeeded in bringing in players, they've done a terrific job in selling them and easing pressure off the wage bill.
Other clubs may have had stellar summers and brought in some excellent players, but no-one can match Chelsea for their business overall.
State your support for Matt Stead using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter @TEAMtalk.
However, TEAMtalk's Matt Briggs is of the opinion that United's transfer business has topped the rest.
Matt Briggs (@MattPBriggs) Manchester United
It has been a transfer window of gigantic proportions for the fallen champions. The last month has seen a club-record investment. The near-£60million investment in Angel Di Maria smashed the British transfer record, they paid a record fee for a teenager with the arrival of Luke Shaw (£27m) and forked out a record for a loan deal with the introduction of Radamel Falcao.
Over £140million has been spent on proven world-class talent arriving at Old Trafford and now the pressure will really be on new boss Louis van Gaal to gel them quickly into a winning team.
It's a job that Van Gaal is more than capable of doing and the willingness to invest the time and money in the Dutchman's vision suggests that United see his vision as a long-term project.
Falcao's one-year loan from Monaco is just as much a signal of intent from Van Gaal as a valuable addition to his squad. The departure of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez has left a hole in United's forward line and the chance to get the Colombian on board was definitely too good to refuse.
Whether Van Gaal can mould Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Falcao into a winning team is the big question now, but the increasingly worrying manner in which Van Persie is picking up injuries means it might be a quandary that the boss doesn't face too often.
Whether Van Gaal even thought he could get Falcao is debatable, but his record of 200 goals in 305 career speaks for itself and it is a signing that has certainly made people stand up and take note.
Argentina star Di Maria made an encouraging debut at Burnley and his ability to play as a winger and as a creative central attacking midfielder has definitely given Van Gaal the flexibility he has been chasing. Di Maria showed at Turf Moor he has a range and accuracy of passing that was missing in his early career, but Old Trafford could be the stage for him to take his career to the next level.
Dutch midfielder/defender Daley Blind is another utility player who will bring a calm, cultured influence and more protection to an under-fire back three. Blind's consistent displays I'm sure will make him a snip at £14million and he will be joined sutting in midfield by Ander Herrera. His addition is more of a risk, but in time I believe the Spaniard can become a player whom United can rely on to knit their team together.
Left-back Shaw has had issues with his fitness, but expect him to assert himself into the first team and he looks certain to nail down a role at United for the next 10 years and looks the heir apparent to Ashley Cole's England spot.
Central defence was one of the positions that United were desperate to strengthen and Marcos Rojo looks a capable addition too. Whether Van Gaal sticks with his favoured back three or switches to a back four, I see Rojo as the boss at the back.
In essence Van Gaal's business has been mightily impressive and if he can get the team purring, soon they could soon be the dominant force they were for years under Sir Alex Ferguson.
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