The madness is over, the phones are silenced, and January transfer window is closed. With all the snow and traffic collapse in London, the news of the day was Andrei Arshavin’s transfer to Arsenal. A real soap opera lasted over 24 hours, minute after minute contradictory news arrived and it even seemed that nothing is going to happen. Finally, like in a low-budget American movie it all ended well, and the Russian player will finally have his dream come true and play for Arsenal. Actually he already had a speech prepared, the only thing left was to see the name of the club… in the last six months he has had several favourite clubs that were his favourites since childhood, but the most important thing was to leave Zenit. West is still promised land…
Our portal gives you in-short the summary of what Premiership clubs did in January transfer window…
ARSENAL – We are not sure that Arshavin is what they need, but if it is true that they were after a playmaker, Russia’s best player is more of a second striker, at least that was his position in Zenit and the national squad. Arshavin won’t replace Fabregas and Wenger knows that. He will try to fit him in the system and we think that this Russian hasn’t got the physique to leave deep impact in Premier League.
ASTON VILA – Villa signed Heskey, who was made into a player by O’Neill in Leicester, so we have no doubts that good, old Emile will be a precious alternative for Carew and that he will cooperate with the swift players like Young and Agbonlahor. This wise purchase will pay off.
BLACKBURN – Rovers fans expected more from the transfer window, and finally Diouf arrived to play against under his former boss, Allardyce, and Givet from Monaco will be a boost for the defence. Santa Cruz stayed in the team, which makes Blackburn’s chances for survival even higher.
BOLTON – Trotters wanted to reinforce all the lines of the team, but they failed to allure Velos who is waiting for the bid of a bigger club. Bolton’s captain, Nolan left and the new signings like Puygrenier, Marc Davies and Makukula will bring more strength in depth but they won’t add to the quality. Bolton aimed at too big targets and in the end they were left without planned signings.
CHELSEA – Quaresma arrived, the big boys stayed together. The problem is the same, but Scolari didn’t quite believe Quaresma or Portuguese national squad. This is a consolation prize as the blues haven’t got enough money for Robinho who was first on Brazilian coach’s list. The chances for the title are low, but it would make no difference even if Abramovich was more active in the transfer window.
EVERTON – After numerous injuries, Moyes thought about taking the role of a striker himself. We are kidding, of course, “the toffees” were speculated to sign various strikers and in the end they signed talented Jo on loan. He failed in City, what makes you think that he will do better in Everton? The manager didn’t have much money to spend so the problems are left unsolved.
FULHAM – They have done well in the season so far, they earned money from Bullard whose demands didn’t agree with club’s finance. Cottagers signed Dacourt who is, regardless of what Venables might think, a good and experienced player. With or without him, Fulham won’t have any problems in surviving so they saved money and signed some players on loan.
HULL – Tigers were all over front pages in January. This time it was not because of good play, but because of several transfers. Bullard arrived, who will be a big boost for the team, Manucho (on loan) should show that he deserved to get back in Manchester United and Kilbane’s experience will mean a lot to the team in their historical season in Premiership. Phil Brown can be satisfied, as his team is stronger than in 2008.
LIVERPOOL – After Rafa Benitez and Robbie Keane started acting as ex-lovers, everyone at Anfield expected a player who will be shadowed by Torres but ready to improve the maneuver space for Spanish coach. Finally, Keane left, as well as Pennant but no one arrived. Benitez has a problem but he hopes that injuries will pass him by. Champions League is again more realistic aim than Premiership.
MANCHESTER CITY – Each player on the planet is connected with this club, Kaka refused, they failed to sign Santa Cruz but they spent their money like a child in a toy store. De Jong, Bridge, Belamy and Given…about £50 million…enough for the midtable, but nothing more. We are waiting for the summer; perhaps they will manage to bring a big star that would open the door to others. And don’t forget, Hughes will pay for it all.
MANCHESTER UNITED – They signed Tosic and De Laet which is certainly a good joke and a proof that they don’t need new players. At least not the players that can start playing right away. As for Sir Alex, transfer window didn’t have to happen this January, everyone at Old Trafford slept over it. Anyone would with such a team.
MIDDLESBROUGH – There is no money, they kept all the players, and sent Mido on loan to Wigan in change for Marlon King. Southgate was aware that there is no hope for new signings. Boro are in for a tough spring…
NEWCASTLE – They need a defender, anyone who saw one of their games will tell them that. Kinnear knows that too, but he got Nolan, Leverkusen striker in January, as well as Lovenkrandz and Ryan Taylor as a change for N’Zgobia. With this kind of a transfer window, the “magpies” are their own biggest enemy.
PORTSMOUTH – Why should Tonny Adams care about the transfer window, he will be packing his bags soon, anyway. Pompey sold Diarra and Defoe and then started looking for cheaper signings. Basinas and Gekas are fine players but they will fit in the Premiership, as Matt Derbyshire did in Greek championship. Dos Santos transfer failed because the Mexican got injured. Pele and Mullins arrived too…the fans expected more. The biggest signing should probably be the new coach, and whoever it may be, he will be better than Adams.
STOKE – They solved the question of striker, at least Beattie is someone who will bring experience to the team and on-loan Camare from Wigan is also a boost for the team. Don’t forget Etherington, Potters have reached their aim, and it seems that their chances to survive will grow after this.
SUNDERLAND – After a lot of signings last summer, they cleaned up a bit, so only Ben Haim and Calum Davenport arrived. “Black cats” will be stronger in defense, but what of the attack? Cisse and Jones will take care of that.
TOTTENHAM – Redknapp is a very influential person. He convinced Levy that Spurs president has oil so Tottenham bought as Manchester City. Defoe and Chimbond are back, Palacios also arrived, and the biggest signing is Cudicini as they haven’t had luck with the keepers at White Hart Lane over the last few years. Italian is the solution…
WBA – There is nothing left for Tony Mowbray but to sign some average players and try to do something with loans. Fortune, Simpson, Mesenguez and Mulumbu will boost the team but three of them were watching the games on the bench in their teams. It is a bit too optimistic to expect them to take over the responsibility for survival.
WEST HAM – They did better than they expected. Problems of the owner from Iceland were presented as a potential end of the world in January. Instead, Bellamy left but the club signed talented Savio Nsereko, and experienced Kovac who is a younger version of Tomas Repka…
WIGAN – It is hard to tell, Palacios and Heskey left the club, we are not sure that N’Zgobia and Columbian Rodallega are the answer. Steve Bruce reached out for controversial Mido, hoping that at least one new signing will turn out as the foundation for his spring ambition to stay in the midtable. It seems that Wigan think they have enough of a lead over the endangered zone, and they should use this chance to earn some money. We will remind you that Palacios played for one million and in only 12 months his price grew 12 times. That is what we call a good deal…
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You have missed out one player that Manchester United had signed in January, Adem Ljajic. But, he will stay in Russia until next season.