It was a truly monumental transfer window for Premier League clubs. Over £3 billion spent on 115 new players by the fortunate 20 makes it the busiest, and most expensive, summer in history.
Some will become legends, other will get shipped out on loan in January and then somehow sold for profit in a year’s time, we’re looking at you, Chelsea. Some didn’t get a move, however, and they were banished to the ‘BOMB SQUAD.’
The term has become a favourite for the modern football media landscape. For those that have had their phones off for the past few months and decided to escape to some kind of wooded area, it not-so-lovingly- refers to players that have been ostracised by their club, forced to train away from the first team as they hope to secure a move.
Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Ben Chilwell were all notable members, but they got their moves… eventually. What of those who remain?
Raheem Sterling – Chelsea
Chelsea’s highest paid player is still knocking about at Stamford Bridge, despite how much the club don’t want him. Sterling is a ‘bomb squad’ veteran having been in the exact same situation last summer before ultimately heading to Arsenal on loan on deadline day.
A mixture of that move going so poorly and the player’s unwillingness to leave London left his options limited. His family are settled in the capital, and he’s earning a reported £300,000 a week. For us mere mortals, it’s hard to blame him for sticking around.
Fulham were linked with a move in the latter stages of the transfer window, but nothing came of the rumours, and Marco Silva’s side went on to sign Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze to bolster their wide options instead.
What comes next is seems to be dependent on Sterling. He has no interest in potential moves to Turkey or Saudi Arabia, and with two-years left on his deal at Chelsea, there isn’t much the club can do.
Tyrell Malacia – Man United
The Dutch full-back was the least problematic of Man United’s contingent. Sancho, Rashford, Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho all managed to find new clubs, but Malacia remains at Old Trafford for various reasons.
Firstly, his fitness record is a major concern. In the summer of 2023, Malacia underwent knee surgery that kept him out of action for a year and a half and although he has physically recovered, his career hasn’t.
He spent the second half of last season on loan with PSV but struggled to get back up to speed, making just 12 appearances across all competitions, yielding a grand total of 696 minutes on the pitch.
According to ESPN, Spanish side Elche were in for him on deadline day, but the loan move well through. It remains to be seen if he would be open to a move to Turkey, since their window doesn’t close until September 12th.
Gabriel Jesus - Arsenal
The Brazilian forward was reportedly training alone throughout the summer, although that was largely due to his ACL recovery. He also wasn’t a member of a ‘bomb squad’ Jesus is more of a ‘bomb person’ clearly unwanted by Arsenal but still on the books.
His injury will have played a major part as to why he was unable to earn a move, because if he was fully fit, someone would have absolutely snapped him up. Yes, it hasn’t worked out in North London, but there is still a very good player in there somewhere.
The fact he was left out of Arsenal’s Champions League squad is a major hint he no longer has a future at the club, and Flamengo were linked with a move for the forward early in the transfer window, although that never happened.
Jesus still has the ability to play in Europe but with next year’s World Cup doubtless in the back of his mind, he should focus on his recovery and take whichever opportunity affords him most playing time, perhaps a return to Brazil is what he needs.
Axel Disasi – Chelsea
This one is a bit of a surprise. Chelsea may be the best selling club on the planet, but for whatever reason they were unable to shift a 27-year-old France international centre-back who has plenty of Premier League experience.
Disasi made 17 appearances for Chelsea last season, although they were mostly in cup competitions, before being sent out on loan to Aston Villa. He didn’t exactly set the world alight during his time under Unai Emery, but there were moments.
He had talks with West Ham and tentative interest from Crystal Palace and Sunderland on Deadline Day, but no move appealed to him and he remains at Chelsea for until January at the very earliest.
A little earlier in the window he came close to joining Bournemouth, but the South Coast club decided against making it happen. Disasi will be fine though, he’s incredibly likely to get his move in the winter window.