The new season had not even begun before managers voiced concerns about the uniquely timed World Cup in Qatar this November and its impact on the transfer market.
"The players are very focused on this World Cup already, which is a good thing because they come in in shape and take care of themselves," Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said on Aug. 5. "It is also a bad thing. They are focused on the World Cup and not here [on their clubs]. A part of them, I have a feeling, is already thinking about November.