Monday Morning Midfielder
Russell Schilt
The January transfer window is always a conundrum. There is a lot of talk, a few highly overpriced sales, but mostly a lot of speculation that never pans out. This window was no different, and I personally can’t wait for it to be over so that the players and managers can get back to finishing the season. Technically, the transfer window closes at midnight tonight (Monday, Jan 31), but pending some last minute action, I thought we could take a look at a few of the winners and losers from the Premier League this transfer period.
Winners: Aston Villa is probably the big winner in this period. They had to do something to ensure not get relegated, and they responded. Randy Learner’s tight wallet was the reason Martin O’Neill resigned Villa at the beginning of the season, as the selling of James Milner capped off an era of selling their best talent and bringing in absolutely no one. It looks like the owner has changed his ways, spending big money on striker Darren Bent, who was very happy to arrive at Aston Villa. The addition of Jean Makoun and help from loanee Kyle Walker should solidify Villa’s place in the League and set them up for next season. The most exciting signing of the window was Liverpool’s Luis Suarez pick-up. This had to happen. Had to. The only way for the new owners to show the club that they planned to keep their promise of investing in the team was to bring in an exciting new name for a handsome sum. And there is still time to take Blackpool’s captain Charlie Adam. Of course, this news has now come with the fear of Fernando Torres wanting to leave the club. This fear is real, and even if Liverpool holds onto Torres, if the team doesn’t finish the season well, he maybe gone in the summer. I also think that West Ham did some smart things in the window. Robbie Keane is a major talent that can instantly boost a club in dire need of inspiration. Castaways Demba Ba and Wayne Bridge can also use their loan spells at the club to find redemption. I love what West Ham did, and hope their fans can appreciate that the club is trying to stay in the Premier League. Sunderland will sorely miss Bent as they strive to make the Europa League this season, but bringing in Sessegnon will help, and if they can lock down Muntari permanently after his loan, they might end up being the big winners of this window. Tottenham should also be happy that Pienaar chose them over Chelsea and more importantly, that they kept their increasingly impressive club intact (although, this didn‘t go to well for them in the FA Cup on Sunday).
Losers: Man City spent huge bringing in Edin Dzeko, but when you look at what they‘ve done this year, they‘ll always be losers in my book. Gross overspending, and brilliant talent getting worse sitting on their bench. I’m interested to see how Dzeko turns out. Hopefully they get some decent cash for Adebayor , and can get rid Wright-Phillips and others. Chelsea could also turn out to be big losers if they fail to bring in Torres. The club is not as sharp as they were last season and desperately need to bring in someone to ensure a top 4 finish, and it didn’t help that they failed to bring in David Luiz from Benfica. Everton also continues to disappoint in the transfer market. I have no idea how Moyes has managed to do anything with that team. They fails to replace any talent that leaves, and got nothing for Pienaar. Finally, Mick McCarthy said it all in his interview on Sky Sports on Saturday. He’s not bringing in anyone, and obviously would have liked to. The Wolves are done.
Honestly, it will be hard to see who really were the winners and losers in this transfer window. The only truth is that over 100 million pounds will be spent and the real winners are teams that sell their stars at outrageous premiums. God speed to a successful end to the season.
Stoppage Time
- Real Madrid’s loss to struggling Osasuna 1-0 gave Mourinho valid reason to call off his teams chances to win La Liga this year. Will he be with the team next year?
- Goal of the week, Claudio Marchisio in the 60’. (Alexis Sanchez in the 85’ isn‘t bad either). http://www.footytube.com/video/juventus-udinese-jan30-71774
- Crawley Town’s run in the FA Cup continues with a 1-0 win over Torquay United, good luck against Man U in the 5th round!
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