Sport - EPL;Who went where?

The English Premier League's transfer window closed amidst high drama last week. More action will follow on the field when the big signings begin to display their wares for their respective clubs in the world's most lucrative league.TOI checks what lies in store for the top five clubs, armed with the fresh recruits.ChelseaMoney Spent: $46.62mPlayers Acquired: Deco ($ 13.915m) Scolari's entry at Chelsea paved the way for Deco and he seems to fit into their plans like a dream. His presence will make the midfield an entertaining section to watch after all the flak the Blues have received for their boring brand of football.Jose Bosingwa ($28.53m) - The former right back from Porto has shown a lot of promise. Scolari has high expectations from him.Fabio Paim (Loan)- Loaned from Sporting Lisbon, Paim's abilities as a striker are yet to be seen.Overall Impact: The Blues have had an eventful time at the transfer window but Luis Scolari feels he has got the team he wants. With the arrival of Deco, the Central midfield looks solid. The goals will flow when Drogba recovers. However another two high profile signings is what would have made Chelsea complete. For Scolari, managing to keep Lampard and Drogba back will be akin to new signings. Terry is still the heart of the team. Joe Cole, who is the most under-rated player, is displaying his class already. John Obi Mikel is on the road to recovery.Scolari has made it clear that the Blues can go all the way without Robinho. It may sound like a case of sour grapes but the kind of fare Chelsea have been dishing out on the field may well go ahead and prove him right. (AFP Photo)

Manchester United

Money Spent: $56.36mPlayers Acquired:Dimitar Berbatov ($54.07) - Ferguson was adamant on having four strikers in the squad and with Berbatov making his love for United public even when Spurs were determined to hold on to their man, the match was made in heaven.David Petrucci ($3,52, 280) - The 16-year-old striker bought from AS Roma is already being hailed as the next Francesco Totti but it will be a while before he gets the taste of big action.Overall Impact: With Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez and Berbatov United possess a strike force that can tear through any defense. Ferguson has refused to tamper much with the squad. But how he uses the embarrassment of riches will be interesting to see. Giggs and Scholes are definitely not getting younger by the day but then Tevez playing as a withdrawn striker compliments Ronaldo well. Ferguson could have bought a big name in the midfield to complete a dream squad. Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand and Wes Brown make for a youthful but shaky defence at times. But with strikers who can score half a dozen goals, the odd lapse may not be a worry

Arsenal

Players Acquired: Samir Nasri ($22.54m) - Likened to Robert Pires by Wenger, Nasri is a technically perfect player and his reading of the game is admirable. His stint at Marseille was proof enough of his abilities. Understandably, he will don the playmaker's role here too.Aaron Ramsey ($8.807m) - The Welsh midfielder will definitely be part of Wenger's plans in the League and FA Cup.Mikael Silvestre (undisclosed) - Easily one of the biggest shockers as the Manchester United player has been drafted to add stability to Arsenal's unpredictable defence. Wenger will be hoping for Silvestre to form a wall with captain and fellow Frenchman, William Gallas.Amaury Bischoff (free) - A midfielder with a penchant for injuries, Wenger took the gamble only because of his talent.Overall Impact: Wenger seems to defy the world when it comes to choosing fresh feet over experience. Nasri is a good buy but Wenger should also have spent on filling the gaping hole that Flamini's exit has left. Wenger chose frugality the only hint of experience is in the form of Silvestre but then again Wenger ignored his age, just the way AC Milan turned a blind eye to Senderos' experience. With Fabregas, Nasri and Van Persie, the midfield is good but the chinks lie on either extremes of the field for the Gunners. (AP Photo)

Manchester City

Money Spent: $134.9mPlayers Acquired:Robinho ($57.25m) - Chaos, controversy and a British record fee are what can best describe the talented striker Mark Hughes has found.Jo ($33.466m) - The Brazilian striker from CSKA Moscow will be partnering Robinho.Shaun Wright-Phillips ($14.97m) - His comeback was based on a simple understanding—City needed the midfielder for 90 minutes.Tal Ben-Haim ($10.568m) - City lacked a quality defender, coming from Chelsea Ben Haim may just be the answer.Vincent Kompany ($10.568m) - Another talented defender bought from Hamburger SV to team up with Ben-Haim.Pablo Zabaleta (undisclosed) - The 23-year-old Argentine defender was signed on a five-year deal from Spanish club Espanyol.Defender Glauber Berti (undisclosed from FC Nuremberg)Overall Impact: At a time when frenzied activity revolved around players being sold and bought as the transfer window deadline was reaching a close, Manchester City created history by becoming the only club to be sold on deadline day. Robinho will definitely change the sagging fortunes of the club along with fellow-Brazilian, Jo. Prodigal son, Shaun Wright-Phillips' return is a big boost to the club. The defense has a new but experienced face in Tel Ben-Haim. All of a sudden, City looks good in every department. (AFP Photo)

Liverpool

Money Spent: $72.22mPlayers Acquired:Robbie Keane ($33.466m) - The second costliest signing in the club's history, Keane was bought to strike some sort of partnership with Fernando Torres.Martin Skrtel ($11.449m) - A defender bought from Zenit St.Petersburg, Skrtel has already begun drawing comparisons to Liverpool hero, Jamie Carragher. His strength in the air is his biggest positive.Albert Riera (undisclosed)- Wearing the No.11 jersey for Liverpool, this is Riera's second stint at the Premiership. He was part of Manchester City after which he joined Spanish side Espanyol.David Ngog ($ 2.64m) - The talented French striker came cheap for Liverpool.Defenders Emmanuel Mendy (Free), Andrea Dossena (undisclosed from Udinese), Philipp Degen (undisclosed from Borussia Dortmund) and 17-year-old midfielder Vincent Weijl (undisclosed) are the other recruits, who are likely to feature on the bench more.Overall Impact: Liverpool has spent big and is hoping it changes their fortunes in the League. Torres is a natural goal getter and Gerrard is inspiring as ever. Rafa Benitez may feel the pinch when he is reminded of his failure to prise away Gareth Barry from Villa. However, he will be banking heavily on the Torres-Keane partnership to click.The duo has scored 56 goals between themselves for their respective clubs last season. Alonso not going anywhere is a good sign for the Liverpool midfield. Pepe Reina is strong in the goal and the new signings will want to reaffirm the faith Rafa has bestowed upon them. 1990 was the last time the club won the Premier League. Everyone at Liverpool will want to change that.