Only in the fullness of time – possibly
just the next few games – will we know for certain which clubs have
emerged from this transfer window enhanced or undermined. But as the
dust settles on a fairly anticlimactic deadline day, we can certainly
make a snap call.
Here, Sporstmail picks three winners and three losers from a month of winter dealings.
WINNERS
CHELSEA
Jose Mourinho continued his impressive
record of improving his squad while reaping big returns for players he
no longer wants. In came Juan Cuadrado, Colombia’s World Cup star, for
£27million from Fiorentina, while Andre Schurrle headed to Wolfsburg for
£24m.
Admittedly, the Germany international is
a World Cup winner but Mourinho held reservations about his style and
once decided upon that, bringing in a replacement he sees as an upgrade
for similar money can only be seen as shrewd business. Cuadrado’s
muscular presence should fit into Mourinho’s system.
Ryan Bertrand made his move to
Southampton permanent for £10m – so Chelsea actually made profit of £7m
in January. Every little helps with FFP rules beginning to bite.
Juan Cuadrado joined Chelsea from Fiorentina for £27million on transfer deadline day
Ryan Bertrand, who won the Champions League with Chelsea, has joined Southampton on a permanent basis
MANCHESTER CITY
In urgent need for a proven Premier
League scorer to support sometimes-injured Sergio Aguero, City elected
to go for the most potent in the calendar year of 2014.
Wilfried Bony arrived for £25m rising to
£28m – an not insignificant sum, but one worthwhile when considering
his goal-record, his ability to compete in the Champions League this
season, and the early manner of the transfer’s completion.
No last-minute scramble or Mexican
stand-off required. City will offset the payment when Alvaro Negredo’s
£24m permanent switch to Valencia goes through in the summer, while
further trimming took place when Scott Sinclair was shifted on to Aston
Villa – with a sizeable chunk of his £50,000 per week wages too – as
Matija Nastasic moved to Schalke.
Manuel Pellegrini bolstered his forward line by bringing Wilfried Bony to the Etihad Stadium
CRYSTAL PALACE
Alan Pardew was a busy man, reaching
deep into the memory banks to recall what it is like to be a manager in
charge of his own signings. Wilfried Zaha came back to Selhurst Park on a
permanent deal worth £6m, some saving on the £15m Manchester United
paid under Sir Alex Ferguson. Jordon Mutch brings added quality to
midfield for £5.75m.
Pape Souare is the genuine left back the
club have needed for a while. Shola Ameobi and Yaya Sanogo provide
striking options at relatively minimal cost. Lee Chung-yong likewise out
wide, with Barry Bannan going the other way to Bolton. Keshi Anderson
is a prospect from non-league who has not stretched finances.
A host of fringe and youth players were
loaned out or moved on, while unwanted Jimmy Kebe was released. A
satisfying window for Pardew.
Eagles new boy Wilfried Zaha was among three deadline-day signings for Crystal Palace
Lee Chung-Yong, pictured with Millwall's Alan Dunne in December, has swapped Bolton for Palace
LOSERS
MANCHESTER UNITED
Louis van Gaal says his squad is
unbalanced, but has not done anything to alter it. Crying out for a
centre back and central midfielder of stature, to provide genuine
defensive class, United brought in Sadiq El Fitouri from Salford City on
a free and Andy Kellett on loan from Bolton, in one of deadline day’s
more off-the-wall calls. Both will go into the Under 21 squad. Victor
Valdes did finally sign to provide competition for David de Gea but how
much the elder Spaniard actually plays remains to be seen.
A late bid for PSG defender Marquinhos came to nought, while Mats Hummels, a long-time target, stayed at Borussia Dortmund.
Van Gaal did cut away some of he excess
from what had become a bloated squad. Darren Fletcher moved to West
Bromwich Albion on a free, a kind gesture by United after 20 years'
service. Wilfried Zaha moved on, and Michael Keane went to Burnley for
£3m. Loans away were cleared for three more young payers, who should
benefit. Anderson was supposed to be off to Brazil but no official
confirmation has come through yet. But it is still to be seen how costly
a failure to recruit will prove.
Louis van Gaal signed Victor Valdes on a free transfer following his summer exit from Barcelona
Manchester United have stunned their supporters by signing Bolton Wanderers defender Andy Kellett on loan
WEST HAM
David Gold told the story with his late
night tweet. 'Sorry for keeping you up late but at the last moment the
main deal collapsed and the rest folded like a pack of cards,’ the
co-owener wrote.
He took aim at Tottenham and Daniel Levy
for refusing to do a deal over Emmanuel Adebayor, who would have added
attacking impetus. A deal for Darren Fletcher folded late into
negotiations. All in all, an underwhelming window – off the back of good
summer recruitment.
West Ham were unable to conclude a deal for Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor
QPR
Harry Redknapp will be livid not one
deal happened on his favourite day of the year. That is probably pushing
it, but the QPR manager’s desire to get someone in last minute cannot
be underestimated.
Desperately in need of a striker, a move
could not be completed for Emmanuel Adebayor. Likewise Aaron Lennon.
Earlier efforts on Jordan Rhodes and Jermain DefoeMatt failed to
ignite.
Redknapp wasn’t even able to cut short
Mauro Zarate’s loan from West Ham amid concerns over his fitness.
Meaning a loan move for Matt Jarvis never materialised as rules prohibit
two players temporarily moving from the same club. Jordon Mutch was
sold to Palace.
Tony Fernandes posted a warning on
Twitter early on deadline day. 'No more cheque book,' he wrote. ‘We
bought all the players manager asked for in summer. Our players not
mercenaries. Good guys. Given the right motivation, tactics and coaching
we can achieve much more.’
Harry Redknapp was hoping to send Mauro Zarate back to West Ham in order to sign Matt Jarvis
OLD HEAD - DARREN FLETCHER
West Brom opted for experience and know-how when they persuaded
31-year-old Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Fletcher his
future lay in the midlands. The former United trainee, who joined on a
free transfer, has spent much of his career competing for trophies, but
his influence could prove key as manager Tony Pulis attempts to prevent
the Baggies from being sucked into the depths of a survival fight.
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