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Did the Premier League make the right decision moving the transfer window deadline?

By Jocelyn Taub

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool (L) and Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool (R) shake hands after he is subbed off during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on January 21, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool (L) and Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool (R) shake hands after he is subbed off during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on January 21, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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The Premier League summer transfer window will shut before the start of play beginning next season

The summer transfer window finally closed last week. With it, went endless rumors and speculation. We no longer have to hear about how Alexis Sanchez is going to PSG or Bayern Munich or Manchester City. Liverpool fans can rest easy knowing that Philippe Coutinho is staying on Merseyside.

The Premier League campaign is already three matches deep. To some, however, it feels as if the “real” season is actually starting this weekend. That is because all twenty teams now have set rosters and can no longer conduct transactions.

Next year, things will be different. Representatives of the 20 Premier League teams voted this week to change the summer transfer window end date. From 2018 on the window will close at 5 p.m. the Thursday before the season begins.

There are pros and cons to this decision, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

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The future of players such as Sanchez, Coutinho, Virgil Van Dijk, Ross Barkley and Riyad Mahrez remained unclear up until deadline day. This type of uncertainty creates problems for managers who have to deal with want away players.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a poor showing in Arsenal’s embarrassing 4-0 loss at Anfield. It was pretty clear he was already a Liverpool player. (Despite his actual transfer taking place after this match).

Of course Arsene Wenger has to take the heat for his decision to use a player that he knew wanted out.

However, you look at this particular example, closing the window before the season will prevent situations like this in the future.

The case for closing the summer transfer window earlier

All clubs begin preparation for the upcoming season weeks before it starts. The fact that teams are still buying and selling players up until week three of play can easily disrupt a manager’s plans.

Jurgen Klopp used humor in making light of the uncertainty that revolved around the Coutinho saga. He introduced him as a new player to the rest of the squad during training this week. Coutinho is staying put but he is now behind his teammates in terms of fitness and will not be available to play right away.

Next: City v Liverpool: 3 key match-ups

The main negative of the new Premier League transfer window deadline is that other European leagues will still be able to conduct business. The fear is that it could give clubs participating in Champions League play the opportunity to strengthen at the expense of British clubs.

Time will tell how this works out. What do you think about the new deadline date?

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