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The January Transfer Window
The January Transfer Window
4th March 2009
The January transfer window has been the cause of much controversy ever since its birth. Managers seem to despise it, but players, and particularly agents, almost relish it. It can prove to be a major payday, particularly as the Premier League seems somewhat immune to the credit crunch sweeping the rest of the land. The previous record of 146 million pounds was trumped this year, with Premier League clubs splashing out a combined total of approximately 178 million pounds.
The major spenders in this January window proved to be Manchester City. Whilst there absurd pursuit of Brazilian playmaker Kaka eventually proved fruitless, they made some important signings, most of which will arguably prove more effective. Mark Hughes recruited Chelsea left back Wayne Bridge, finally freeing him from his understudy role at Stanford Bridge, where he had been forced to watch from the sidelines as Ashley Cole secured his slot. Temperamental Welsh forward Craig Bellamy also joined the club in a £14 million deal. Whilst he has proven to be a feisty and unpredictable character, he is an experienced striker who knows how to find the back of the net. City’s other major signing, Nigel De Jong, may prove to be the most inspired. The former Hamburg star is famed for his valuable ability to protect the back four, something Hughes team are desperately in need of at the moment.
Aston Villa ensured they will continue their challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League by signing powerful England striker Emile Heskey from Wigan Athletic. If the former Liverpool man can strike up a successful partnership with Gabriel Agbonlahor then Villa will have a fantastic chance of enjoying European football next season. The Tottenham players were responsible for some of the most unpredictable moves, as they brought back three of the former stars. Jermaine Defoe, Pascal Chimbonda and Robbie Keane all returned to White Hart Lane. Most will agree that all three should never have been allowed to depart, but will Spurs fans find it slightly worrying that both Chimbonda and Defoe failed to break into the team during their last stints at the Lane? Robbie Keane’s short stay at Liverpool proved to be very strange indeed. Despite paying in the region of £20 million for the Irishman, Benitez never seemed to trust him to lead the line, even in the absence of Fernando Torres. I found the transfer strange at the time it happened. Keane is undeniably a fantastic striker, as his previous goal scoring exploits for Spurs proved. But the system Liverpool favour, with Gerrard tucked behind Torres was too effective to break up, leaving a confidence shot Keane on the sidelines. It would appear that is ultimately the reason the match made in heaven lead to a somewhat bitter divorce.
The other major story of the transfer window was Russian talisman Andrei Arshavin joining Arsenal. After weeks of prolonged negotiations, the attacker finally completed his move to the Emirates Stadium. Arshavin had been linked with the likes of Barcelona and even the Gunner’s bitter rivals Spurs during the summer, after an inspired performance at Euro 2008. It will be of great interest to see what role the Russian will fill in the team. He has played wide right, but that position is most likely to be occupied by Theo Walcott on his return from injury. He is also know to be capable of filling the ‘second striker’ role, left unoccupied at the Emirates since Dennis Bergkamps retirement. It seems most probable that he will play in an attacking role through the centre, replacing the injured Cesc Fabregas. One thing that is certain is that Arsenal fans will be thrilled to witness a big money arrival, and hope he can breathe new life into their faltering season.
In other interesting deals, Tal Ben Haim linked up with Sunderland, Portuguese winger Ricardo Quersma linked up with Chelsea and Kevin Nolan departed Bolton to join Joe Kinnear at Newcastle.
In news closer to home, Graham Turner boosted the Hereford United with a number of impressive loan signings. Manchester United duo Sam Hewson and Fabian Brady have come to Edgar Street in an attempt to boost the midfield and strike-force. The Bulls have also acquired the services of Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Hopefully the Hungarian will be capable of filling the huge void left by Wayne Brown’s departure in the summer.