I will do some kind of update on the EPL early next week, probably on Monday, but we will know far more by the October international break at which time seven rounds will have been played, new signings will hopefully have bedded in and we will have seen how teams have handled the first two rounds of European football. BTW, that first Champions League round (September 16-18) is being played across three days, with, from our main leagues, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt all playing on Thursday. I am sure that Pep will have something to say about that (especially as City travel to the Emirates to play Arsenal three days later), if he hasn't already! Matchdays will revert to Tuesday/Wednesday for the other seven CL league rounds.

 

What a transfer window! With a record £3bn+ spend in the Premier League and some very (too ?)big transfer fees paid. For example, £55m for a striker who has acted like a spoilt child, is not currently match fit, will be lost for a month to AFCON, has never played in Europe and who turns 29yo tomorrow, feels like a huge fee even for a Champions League team to spend. Step forward Yoane Wissa and Newcastle United. 

 

It was a unique window all round, but we can discuss that next week and best to sit back and take a few days to reflect, advice that Wissa and Alexander Isak might have been better off taking, as I suspect they would have got their moves anyway. Although Marc Guehi, who acted impeccably throughout this window, yet saw his dream move to Liverpool break down at the 11th hour, might now view things differently. At least Isak will be spared a return to St James' Park until next season, whereas Wissa and United are scheduled to play at Brentford in early November and a "warm welcome" awaits!

 

The winter transfer window opens in 120 days time, if anyone has any money left!

 

Good luck!