What have we got?

Another record-breaking transfer window has closed, with Janssen, Lopez, Nkoudou, Sissoko and Wanyama joining the club.

I am going to focus on the outfield players.

Sissoko seemed to have a bit of an up and down season last year, but was a very decent player for France this summer. Janssen and Nkoudou are the type of players that Pochettino will improve. Wanyama is a proven EPL player.

I will provide what I believe are relevant stats and comparisons.

In this article I outlined the importance of Dembele, the fact that we have no one else lined up and ready to play his role, his affects on others, and the challenge that the stats do not really tell the story in regard to how pivotal Dembele has been to success. I also noted that we cannot manage with just one player capable of playing that role.

Sissoko may be the player we need to play in that slot, either alongside Dembele or as an alternative. In addition, Sissoko can play in a more attacking or wing role. Wanyama is a more defensive midfielder, and again, stats do not tell the story of the importance of his contribution. Nonetheless, let’s look at the three together. You might wonder why I have not included goals scored. It is because they do not score any goals.

Stats are per 90 minutes for 2015-16. Figures are rounded.

DembeleSissokoWanyama
Total passes543948
Forward passes302131
Pass completion %907682
Chances created121
Shots111
Shot accuracy %564421
Duels624646
Interceptions212
Clearances212

What do the figures show? First, they show what a fantastic player we have in Dembele. Second, they show the possibility that Sissoko, having performed to this level in a relegated side, might be a key player for us. They cannot show the kinds of things I mentioned in my previous article, such as Kane’s goal scoring rate with Dembele in the side.

Let’s now look at Janssen and Nkoudou and compare with Dele, Eriksen and Lamela.

Stats are per 90 minutes for 2015-16. Figures are rounded.

JanssenNkoudouDeleEriksenLamela
Total passes2726293534
Pass completion %7382768279
Chances created21233
Shots52332
Shot accuracy %5553605554
Goals1 in 11 in 41 in 31 in 51 in 5
Duels5049444836
Yellow cards1 in 1001 in 401 in 3

With these new additions, and with Sissoko capable of playing the Dembele role (and maybe adding something) I have no doubt Kane will score enough goals. I have therefore not included him here.

Janssen is a proven scorer but not in the EPL. I have a feeling he will be fine. Nkoudou may chip in with more goals than Eriksen or Lamela and he may add a bit of pace that we have been missing. On recent performances I would be tempted to play him and Janssen and drop both Eriksen and Lamela.

Eriksen needs to buck up, but I have seen him perform well over a season. I have not seen Lamela do that. His propensity to give away the ball is worrying. His ability to pick up yellow cards is worrying. A 36% duel win rate is very poor. 1 goal in 5 games is very poor. A yellow card every 3 games is very poor. I keep hearing that he needs to be nurtured. Surely enough is enough?

I am a strong believer in the value of shots on target. Anything can happen if you make the goalkeeper work. All of these players have pretty decent rates in this regard, but we need to get a higher shot rate per game from some.

Overall, I think this has been a successful transfer window. The international break gives time for the manager to get the team in shape with the new players. A win at Stoke in just over a week would mean a great start to the season and would mean my make my predictions for the first four games 100% accurate.

Do you think it was a decent transfer window? Please leave your comments below.

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