Which clubs have been delighted with their business and which ones will be ruing the rest of the season?…
So, the January transfer window came and went with minimal fuss, but despite the despise it is met with, this is an important period of the season which could shape a club’s future.
Teams at the bottom are looking for the deal which could assure them of Premier League survival – which is imperative – whilst those hovering around the European places are tempted to add the right quality which would prompt a continental adventure.
Equally however, it could all go wrong as those with similar ambitions panic with deadline day during near and desperations ensues. Suddenly, you’re left with the last choice on the wanted list and a squad questioning the direction of the club.
So without further ado, here are the three winners and losers over the course of the January transfer window.
Winners:
1. Chelsea
The Premier League leaders have done fantastic business again and not necessarily regarding incoming players, but the way the club have shipped out those surplus to requirements – and for good money too.
Andre Schurrle has ended up at Wolfsburg for a similar fee to the amount Chelsea paid to Fiorentina to bring in World Cup star Juan Cuadrado, whilst last January signing Mohamed Salah has been sent in the opposite direction on loan.
The West Londoners may be lighter in terms of numbers, but Jose Mourinho will certainly be delighted with the added quality in his squad.
2. Arsenal
It’s slightly unusual that deadline-day comes to pass and Arsenal fans are extremely relaxed and that is testament to the business Arsene Wenger has done early on in the window.
Gabriel has arrived from Villarreal with the defensive issues in the squad being addressed and most importantly of all, Wenger has recalled Francis Coquelin from his loan with the midfielder excelling in the holding midfield role which has haunted the Gunners in the past.
The North Londoners are now on course for a top four finish.
3. Crystal Palace
The Selhurst Park faithful will be delighted with the business done by fan favourite Alan Pardew, with the former Newcastle United boss shaping a team in his image.
Palace have been known as a club built on defensive solidity, but Pardew has brought in a number of attacking talents to push the Eagles up the table.
Wilfried Zaha has had his loan turned into a permanent deal for a reported £3 million (via BBC Sport), 24 months after Palace received £15 million from Man United for the winger.
Premier League veteran Lee Chung-yong was brought in from Bolton Wanderers, whilst Pardew added Yaya Sanogo and Shola Ameobi to his strike-force. Former Cardiff City man Jordan Mutch was also signed from QPR.
SEE MORE:
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Losers:
1. QPR
It seems as though QPR’s Premier League nightmare will continue as the club aims to escape relegation having not significantly strengthened in the January transfer window.
Having lost all their away fixtures this season, Mauro Zarate remained the only incoming player throughout the whole window, but was involved in a bizarre deadline day twist.
QPR attempted to send the Argentine back to West Ham United in order to bring in Matt Jarvis on loan instead, only for the Premier League to put an end to that move – a truly messy situation.
2. Hull City
Hull City may have hoped to conclude a number of deals towards the end of deadline day, but it seemed to be a month of missing out on ideal targets for Steve Bruce.
Earlier on, Arsenal’s Yaya Sanogo decided to join Crystal Palace, which was quickly followed by the Jermaine Defoe’s arrival at the Stadium of Light, despite Bruce admitting to being interested in the England international.
However, the Tigers were able to conclude the signing of Senegalese international Dame N’Doye after being granted extra time by the FA. Hull may be in big trouble still though.
3. Swansea City
A club which has now become a mainstay in the Premier League, Swansea could have been a team with different ambitions had they adequately replaced Wilfried Bony.
The fee received for the striker meant that keeping the star forward would become almost impossible, but having a want-away player in Bafetimbi Gomis as a back-up could prove fruitless.
The Swans showed a more resilient side to their game at the weekend and may have to produce a similar approach all season.