The deals have been done, contracts signed, squads finalised. It is now or never. For the Premier League January Transfer Window slammed shut this week and once again provided many moments for discussion, even if they were not many big-money moves. Love it or loath it (and many managers side with the latter), January is the one opportunity to either strengthen your squad in order to maintain a push for Europe, or more worryingly, try and save your Premier League status.
The day has become synonymous with one individual in particular, and once again Harry Redknapp delivered as he attempts to save QPR in a miraculous Great Escape effort. Having already spent £8m on striker Loic Remy, Redknapp further bolstered his squad on Thursday with the arrivals of Yun Sok-Young, Andros Townsend, Jermaine Jenas and Chris Samba. Samba was the most eye-watering deal; £12.5m spent on an ageing centre-back (his value will only depreciate) with allegedly 100k/week wages seems absurd. If ever there was pinning your hopes on individuals this is the case in point. I struggle to see how a club that has a ground capacity of 18,000 can afford to keep these individuals on their books were they to be relegated. It screams of business suicide, so unless owner, Tony Fernandes, is happy to be subsidising these wages on behalf of the club the transfer seems crazy.
Despite Harry’s activities, he wasn’t the most active manger during January. This can be argued by the transfers of Peter Crouch and Peter Odemwingie never materialising though. Odemwingie’s case has been well-documented, and it smacks of the greedy, player-power driven game that has emerged. He had no right to travel down to QPR without permission, and thanks to Jeremy Peace staying strong and resolute, he ended up looking a fool. I would be amazed if he plays for West Brom again this season and it will be interesting to see if the club try to offload him in the summer, and if so, and what price. His contract length will be shorter, but the club are clearly certain of a price that the player is worth. Will that deviate, or will it be maintained as a means of setting an example to the Nigerian?
As such, Newcastle United were the most active club during the Window. Note already, the two sides that have been spoken about regarding their activity fulfilled spaces within the bottom six of the league. Obviously the top sides see little reason to buy players due to a few reasons. Firstly, the top teams want the top players and they are rarely available in January (although Wesley Sneijder was an exception); secondly, the top teams want these players available for the top competitions, this includes Europe, and rarely will they find a player not cup-tied. Thirdly, the price of players can rocket during this month as clubs are aware the desire to purchase can be an act of desperation. Finally, they don’t need to strengthen. They are at the top end of the table for a reason, why cause acrimony within a happy dressing room by bringing in an influx of individuals? Those players who have done the work through the first half of the season deserve the opportunity to finish the job. Obviously those towards the bottom are struggling and need help. Newcastle, in particular, after a fabulous season in 2011-12, I think were shocked that they were being pulled into a relegation dog-fight. Thus, they scouted out an area where they have had previous success in securing players, France. The club is full of French speakers now, and it has already been proven that not all of them are fluent in English, something I believe needs to happen soon; especially as some of the established players at the club are claiming to be working on their French. I find that bizarre, as although it is a nice way to get the new players settled into the dressing room, out on the pitch, they will want to be speaking in English, and their attempts to help could be detrimental in the speed of this process.
However, their past two results would perhaps dismiss that argument, as the influx of new recruits seems to have inspired and rejuvenated the Toon Army once more. If ever there was evidence of a successful Window, then it appears Newcastle are who you would point to. Likewise, if QPR survive the drop, they will look back to this month as a key moment too. Those that do go down, especially if they have barely strengthened, are likely to face the castigation of their supporters for failing to make the most of a lifeline offered to them. Similarly, if targets that look achievable at the upper echelons of the league are not fulfilled, fans are likely to express their disgruntlement. The obvious example here would be Spurs and their lack of established strikers. You get one chance to affect your squad during the season and it is interesting to note, how as the years go by, fewer clubs take the opportunity to amend their squad. The importance of the summer is clearly critical now for the Premier League clubs and the desire to build, establish and mould a team that will enable the club to fulfil its potential over the upcoming season. It will be interesting to see if this pattern continues, along with if UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations further cull the spending of clubs. So far the indictors are there. Could it be, that after the initial outcry at the Transfer Window, it will get to the point, where the Premier League rarely utilises it, and could become pretty non-existent? Only the future will answer these questions...
PS. Oh and huge credit to David Beckham, who after signing for mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain for 5 months has donated his monthly salary to a local children’s charity. Yes, the move is probably publicity-driven, and he’ll still earn tons through endorsement deals, but the man is a legend and has created a milestone that over-rode all other Transfer Window news! Becks is back in Europe.
