The transfer market has been a little slow so far, with quite a few "swap" deals for inflated fees as clubs try to find a way around PSR rules and also as players have been away at the Euros and Copa America. Three of the six biggest transfer fees so far involving EPL clubs have actually been paid by Bayern (2) and Juventus. We can see how things develop in the coming weeks, but it does feel like a minor changing of the guard and on the back of a season in which only one EPL team team made the final four of a European competition and that in the most minor one, whilst nine teams did so from the other Big 5 European Leagues ( Bundesliga 3, Serie A 3, Ligue 1 x2 and La Liga 1). European market share of revenue has also decreased slightly for the EPL, but it still dwarfs that of the Bundesliga, which comes in second, and is far more than that of La Liga and Serie A combined. The Big 6 (is it now 7 or 8 ?) clubs are well aware of all this, as too are the EPL and mindful and protective of their position as top dog. Maybe a minor transition and some clubs are under financial constraints, but I don't see football fans in Asia ditching those Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal shirts for those of Dortmund, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao any time soon!

 

It is a couple of seasons since we saw Championship clubs throwing money at their squads in an attempt to reach the promised land of the EPL and the only eye catching new spend in the EPL so far has come in the third tier, where Birmingham City have been flashing the cash which is why their odds have tumbled from 5.0 down to 3.50 to win League 1, but more of that later in the week.

 

I did watch Brentford play on Saturday and got to see the debut of club record signing Igor Thiago. I know they were only playing AFC Wimbledon, but you do not need an opponent to see that a player is big, strong, physically imposing, hard working and has an eye for goal and he scored twice inside the opening 23 minutes, before coming off at half time. Several Brentford supporters that I know who were at the game were falling over themselves afterwards to back him at 100-1 in the EPL top goalscorer market and to say he made a big impression is a bit of an understatement. Brentford are playing in Lisbon against Benfica on Thursday which will be a far bigger test and whilst these friendly games mean little, it will be interesting to see how he fares. The just turned 23yo Brazilian striker scored 29 goals (6 assists) in 55 games (4,044 minutes) for Club Brugge last season, his first in Belgian football and he could make a big impact in the EPL.

 

Good luck!