The transfer window is closed across Europe’s biggest leagues. The squads are largely settled, and managers can finally stop answering questions about who might arrive next. Now they have to make it work.

Manchester City left their biggest deal until the final day, while Chelsea and Liverpool also spent heavily. In Spain, Barcelona welcomed the World Cup’s best player, and Real Madrid brought back José Mourinho to lead a squad with enormous expectations. There should be plenty to talk about this season.

The Biggest Deals of the Summer

Enzo Fernández’s €145 million move from Chelsea to Manchester City was the biggest transfer of the summer, completed on the final day of the window. City also signed Elliot Anderson for €135 million, committing €280 million to two midfielders as they prepare for life without Rodri.

Fernández arrives with experience at the highest level, but replacing Rodri’s influence will require more than a big signing. City need their new midfield to develop an understanding quickly. How Fernández and Anderson fit together will be worth watching over the coming months.

Chelsea made a major investment of their own with Morgan Rogers arriving from Aston Villa for €138 million. Liverpool added Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for €125 million, giving their attack another exciting option. At those prices, both players will be expected to contribute straight away. Supporters will want to see who can make the difference in the tight games, when chances are limited and dropped points become expensive.

Real Madrid also spent €125 million on Yan Diomande, signing the 19-year-old winger from RB Leipzig. It is a huge step, even for a player with his potential. Madrid offers him the chance to compete on the biggest stage, but earning a regular place in that attack will be a challenge in itself.

Barcelona Added Control, while Real Madrid gave trust to ‘The Special One’

Barcelona’s signing of Rodri could influence how the entire team plays. The midfielder joins from Manchester City as the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner, having been named the tournament’s best player.

He can receive the ball under pressure and keep possession moving. That sounds simple, but having someone so reliable in the middle could give Barcelona’s attacking players much more freedom. His positioning should also help when they lose the ball, particularly against opponents capable of breaking quickly.

Madrid, meanwhile, have put their trust in José Mourinho, bringing him back for the next three seasons.

This could be a very good fit, because the quality in Madrid’s squad is obvious. The challenge is getting all those egos working together, especially when a major name has to sit on the bench or accept a less glamorous role. Mourinho has plenty of experience making those decisions. Whether the players fully buy into his approach could decide how successful this return becomes.

He will need his forwards to take responsibility without the ball, too. In the biggest matches, Madrid cannot afford to rely on individual brilliance to solve everything.

If Mourinho can establish that commitment, this team could work very well. He has the talent available to compete with anyone, and his return gives the season an interesting storyline before we even get to his first meeting with Barcelona.

Weekend Football Picks Between Poker Sessions

Looking for some football to follow between poker sessions? We’ve put together a weekend accumulator on BC.GAME, where a $5 bet could return $109.93 if all six selections land.

We’re backing Liverpool to beat newly promoted Ipswich after two draws, while under 2.5 goals in Brighton against Leeds looks an interesting option in a meeting between two solid defences.

Elsewhere, we’re expecting goals. We’ve selected both teams to score in Rayo Vallecano against Racing Santander and Roma against Atalanta. The same pick features in Werder Bremen against RB Leipzig, combined with over 2.5 goals. Every team in those three fixtures has scored in each of its league matches so far, giving us a reason to expect chances at both ends.

To complete the slip, we’re backing PSG to beat Monaco after a slightly slow start to the season.