Since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2013, Crystal Palace have been one of the most impressive newly promoted clubs. Finishing eleventh in their first season back to top flight football, they have continued to improve on that record both in the table and within their squad.
Short answer: Quite a lot!
It has definitely been a journey for Liverpool fans since the end of the 2013-2014 season. To cope with the loss of Luis Suarez, who found his way to Barcelona, Liverpool invested over £115 millions in the new squad, signing 8 new first-team players; a lot of activity and change for Brendan Rodgers’ squad; change that did not end in the hoped for success.
When Real Madrid signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2009, the entire city lost their minds as they knew they had just completed the transfer of one of the worlds best forwards. The Bernabeu was filled with Madridistas cheering on Ronaldo as he walked down a long platform in the number 9 shirt.
Most known for his passing ability and composure on the ball, Arda Turan is a force to reckon with in the midfield, and he is now taking his trade to Barcelona. That’s right, Turan is skipping town in Madrid for a spot in Barcelona’s world renowned midfield.
In a deal said to be worth around €34 million with another €7 million in variables, Turan looks to bring a more aggressive attacking style to an already amazing midfield.
According to a study by former Barcelona Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Esteve Cazada, Raheem Sterling is the most valuable young player in Europe.
The study, conducted by Cazada's company, Soccerex, valued Sterling at 35 million pounds. Liverpool rejected a bid at that number from Manchester City recently.
PSG defender Marquinhos was second on the list, followed by Memphis Depay of Manchester United, Domenico Berardi of Sassuolo and Jose Maria Jimenez of Atletico Madrid.
The most sought after midfielder in the world, Paul Pogba, will not go to Barcelona this summer, according to former Barcelona President and current Barcelona presidential candidate Josep Maria Bartomeu.
"This year we will not sign Pogba because he is not part of our sporting plans,” Bartomeu told Marca.
Steve Nash is training with National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team New York Cosmos B, according to the New York Post, and could play in a game as early as Sunday.
Nash has evidently been added to the New York Cosmos B team roster under the name "Stephen Nash."
Juventus’ Andrea Pirlo has officially transferred to New York City FC.
OFFICIAL: @Pirlo_official will continue his career with @NYCFC following four years at Juve: http://t.co/zcXb9HPUO3 pic.twitter.com/JSsdnlZqwu
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) July 6, 2015
Liverpool squeaked by in sixth place at the end of the Premier League season, which secured them the last qualifying spot in the Europa League. Brendan Rodgers has walked a fine line with Liverpool’s Board of Directors of whether or not he will continue to lead the Red’s in the future. Fighting for his job is his number one priority, and with no more Luis Suarez and a limited Daniel Sturridge, Rodgers has a lot of goals to make up for.
After losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Liverpool have been in need of a dangerous striker to score goals for them.
Luckily, that striker may be on his way, and he's American.
Seventeen-year-old Brooks Lennon plays for the Real Salt Lake academy, but he's been training on and off with Liverpool since 2013.
Due to weird FA rules about non-EU players, it's been hard for Liverpool to actually sign Lennon, but supposedly he has an Irish passport on the way, which should clear any remaining hurdles.