Having a balanced squad during the main stages of pre-season training is one of the least acknowledged parts of putting together a competiti...
Whilst the transfer window and deadline make gripping headlines and an anti-climatic day of television, it may not be the most effective strategy for signing the right players, at fair prices that will be able to make an immediate impact.
Making your signings early means that players can be thoroughly researched, bought at a fairer price due to less frantic timelines, in line with a pre-agreed strategy. The transfer deadline creates transfer triangles and a domino effect.
Meaning that one transfer can lead to two or three more down the line. A classic example is the signing of Fernando Torres by Chelsea which say LIverpool pay an extravagant amount for Andy Carroll.
The other advantage of settling a Premier League squad early is that players get a whole pre-season of fitness and conditioning, during which time new signings can bed down and acclimatise to their new surroundings.
One manager that likes to get his transfer business done early is Jose Mourinho, Chelsea have acted early and decisively in the transfer market in this window with just a few loose ends to tie up before we enter the final two weeks of pre-season.
So far Chelsea have signed Radamel Falcao and Asmir Begovic, with one or two more players likely to be join in the next week.
Chelsea are currently on a North American tour and Mourinho has stated during media appearances that he is not expecting big moves in the transfer market. Mourinho looks relaxed on tour and unless he is playing the long game and bluffing the media things look sedate at Stamford Bridge.
This should mean that unless something drastic in the market happens in the next few weeks Chelsea's board should have a quiet August.
