Whether you follow the major leagues or you are an eSports fan, it’s fun to follow the football transfers. For instance, it’s more exciting to place bets on soccer matches when you know about the new players in a team. Most of the action in virtual soccer mirrors that on the real football pitch. For this reason, you need to stay up-to-date with everything happening around the footballing world.
This post explores some of the big football transfers that have happened or will probably happen in 2020.
A Glimpse Into eSoccer
If you are an ardent football fan, you have most likely tried your hands at football video games. eSoccer takes things one step further through FIFA or PES e-sports tournaments. It is now a big deal among football fans with opportunities to play in tournaments, place bets and win.
eSoccer has gradually grown into a real sport and it seems to be the future of football. For instance, the latest FIFA series boasts over 10 million players and the numbers keep growing.
For this reason, you should familiarize yourself with the sport, the tournament formats, and the rules of the game and players. One way of doing this is by watching what is happening in the real footballing world and there’s no better place to start than with football transfers.
Recalling the Big Football Transfers in 2020
Whether you are a laid-back football fan or an avid eSports fan, the following football transfers should interest you.
Victor Wanyama’s Move to Montreal Impact
When former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino signed Wanaka from Southampton for £11m, it was hailed as a genius move. However, injuries hampered the midfielder’s progress, something that frustrated the high-achieving Pochettino. With the arrival of José Mourinho, it was only a matter of time before the powerful midfielder left. When Montreal Impact managed by Arsenal great Thierry Henry came calling, Victor was wise enough to grab the chance.
Pape Gueye: Le Havre to Watford
There has been a lot of talk surrounding the 21-year-old French midfielder. Pape Gueye had attracted the attention of Arsenal, and many pundits have likened him to compatriots Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. However, the Hornets have surprised everyone with Gueye now tied to a contract from July 2020.
Hakim Ziyech: Ajax to Chelsea
Ajax has become a player factory over the last few years. The latest star to emerge from their ranks is the mercurial Hakim Ziyech, who has confirmed his move to Chelsea in a deal worth £37million. The Moroccan creator has been a sensation in Amsterdam with 48 goals for the Eredivisie giants since 2016 when he joined from Twente. His impressive 82 assists have marked him as one of the finest attacking players in European football and it was only a matter of time before the big teams came calling. Ziyech will link up with the Blues from July 2020.
Trincao: Braga to Barcelona
If you want to bet on eSoccer, Barcelona is one of the best teams to watch out for. The team boasts some of the best performances both in real football and across eSports platforms. As such, any news surrounding players’ transfers to and from the Camp Nou tend to create a lot of hype.
The same can be said for Francisco Trincao’s move to Barcelona from Braga. While the deal worth £27m was signed in January 2020, it only becomes effective from July 1, 2020. During the negotiations, Braga president Antonio Salvador said Trincao would become one of the world’s best in 10 years.
Yan Couto: Coritiba FC to Manchester City
Manchester City has established its place as a serious footballing machine. With one of the best managers at the helm, the team seems to have a keen eye for talent, as seen in their purchase of Yan Couto, the 17-year-old Brazilian playing for Coritiba FC.
Couto was part of the team that won the Under-17s World Cup in 2019. The five-year deal for the young Brazilian shows how highly Pep Guardiola rates this young talent.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are an eSoccer fan or you follow the major leagues, the players’ transfers offer a lot of insight into your favorite team. Some of these transfers didn’t generate a lot of hype, but a closer look reveals the genius behind the purchases. Such details help you determine which teams to support or place bets on.