Despite it being the international break, Deadline Day threw up some bizarre incidents with just hours to go where players changed their minds, were told to stay put or went out drinking. Either way, those three things all appear on this week’s Wally of the Week shortlist.
3. Chelsea
The Blues secured the signings of Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta last Thursday before the transfer window slammed shut, because it has to be slammed – never closed. But that doesn’t mean it was a successful Deadline Day for them. Spurs pinched Fernando Llorente from under Chelsea’s noses after the striker had been linked with a move for Stamford Bridge for a number of months and Ross Barkley squirmed away from Chelsea’s grasp in the dying moments of Deadline Day. The Blues were unable to tie down Barkley to a contract, despite agreeing a fee and personal terms, as the Everton midfielder returned to Merseyside to evaluate his options before January. Chelsea’s bad business went further than Deadline Day in England as they could not shift Diego Costa, still hibernating in Brazil, to Atletico Madrid on the last day of the Spanish transfer window. That means, if he is to return to the club at some point, it’s going to be very, very awkward. And I can’t imagine Costa resolving the situation in a calm and measured manner.
2. Arsenal
At least Chelsea signed some players on Deadline Day. With just hours to go in the window, Arsenal made a last-minute attempt to sign Thomas Lemar from Monaco and had agreed a whopping £92m fee with the French club. Lemar was due to play that evening for France so it begs the question – why didn’t Arsenal make their move sooner? It’s been reported that Lemar rejected Arsenal himself because one, they were not in the Champions League and two, because he simply didn’t have time to consider his options. That left Gooners wondering why they didn’t choose to splash this £92m more wisely or acquire Lemar’s signature at a reasonable time. The lack of spending at Arsenal was in full focus yet again and some fans feel it was just a PR stunt to make it look like they tried to sign someone. Ironically, Arsene Wenger attended the France game that evening, because he had nothing else to do, and was working as a commentator on French TV. Wenger would’ve been cursing under his breath as Lemar scored twice against the Netherlands and showed Arsenal fans what they’re going to be missing out on.
1. Wayne Rooney
Need I explain why? We thought the hot-tempered, immature Wayne Rooney had finally settled down having now returned to his boyhood club in Everton and started a family… but no. The former Manchester United and England captain was caught drink-driving by police in the early hours of the morning and was reportedly with another woman – his wife Coleen was on holiday at the time. He was released on bail and will be summoned to court on the 18th of September – one day after Everton play Manchester United at Old Trafford. This follows an incident in the England hotel earlier this year where he was caught over the limit at someone’s wedding party. He’s now fighting to save his marriage as well as fighting to keep his dignity.