Manager: Ben M (Cumbria)
Twitter name: @BenMarcangelo
Since: 2012
Last season: 1st
Trophy cabinet: Champions 2012/13
Sympathies: Liverpool
Darts music: Lesbian Seagull – David van Driessen
Outlook: No manager has ever defended the Kenna title, and even Sporting Lesbian’s most optimistic fan would say this side doesn’t look like emulating the success of last season’s outfit. The only survivor from that collective, Marc Wilson is joined by a capable defence of Coleman, Rose and Coloccini – although the Argentine is prone to homesickness. David de Gea looks likely to start in goal all season.
Up front the £27m price tag for the untested, and injury prone, Jovetic may seem excessive, but Podolski could be one of the bargains of the season. Creativity abounds in midfield, but last season’s success was built on the outstanding form of Michu, and a similar discovery is yet to be evidenced here.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BaKOluofCA&w=560&h=315]
| de Gea, D | MUN | £11m |
| Rose, D | TOT | £8m |
| Coleman, S | EVE | £14m |
| Ward, J | CRY | £1.5m |
| Wilson, M | STO | £0.5m |
| Coutinho, P | LIV | £19m |
| Snodgrass, R | NOR | £8m |
| Zaha, W | CAR | £15m |
| Ramires | CHE | £0.5m |
| Anichebe, V | WBA | £0.5m |
| Podolski, L | ARS | £1.5m |
| £79.5m |
First transfer window – 5 October 2013
Starting budget: £11.5m, remaining budget: £15.5m, net profit: £4m
(Hyperlink denotes to which club player was sold)
| Pos | Player | Team | Sold | Pos | Player | Team | Paid |
| DEF | Coloccini, F | NEW | £4.5m | DEF | Turner, B | CAR | £0.5m |
Second transfer window – 7 February 2014
| Out | In | ||||||
| Pos | Player | Team | Sold | Pos | Player | Team | Value |
| DEF | Turner, B | CAR | £0.5m | DEF | Ward, J | CRY | £1.5m |
| MID | Giaccherini, E | SUN | Free | MID | Zaha, W | CAR | £15m |
| STR | Jovetic, S | MCY | Free | STR | Anichebe, V | WBA | £0.5m |
