SHAREThings are close at both the top and bottom the league, shrewd business in the January transfer window could swing things in a club’s favour. But what have your club done so far? Here’s part one of our mid-window round-up.
AFC Bournemouth
No new players in just yet but the Cherries have seen Chelsea’s Nathan Ake return following his loan spell and they have also shipped out Emerson Hyndman to Rangers. The American will join the Scottish side until the end of the season.
Arsenal
So far so similar at the Emirates where fans are calling, as usual, for a big name signing but Wenger has instead brought in an unknown. Cohen Bramall impressed at a trial recently and will join up with the Gunners’ u23 squad from non league Hednesford Town. Announced as a youth signing, the left back is 20 years old, an age many players would be expecting to push for first team action. Can Wenger turn him in to the real deal? As for players going out, midfielder Dan Crowley goes back out on loan following a successful spell at Oxford United. He will join up with the excellently named Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie until the end of the season.
Burnley
Just the one player in so far for Burnley but he’s already making an impact as you would expect. Joey Barton returns to the Clarets until at least the end of the season following a pretty poor spell at Rangers. He made an immediate contribution on his second debut, coming off the bench to score a vital winner against Southampton at the weekend. Sean Dyche will be hoping he can keep the fiery scouser in check as he was outstanding for the team last season when they were promoted from the Championship. Going out, Danny Lafferty will make his loan at Sheffield United permanent for an undisclosed fee.
Chelsea
Usual story at Chelsea. It’s all about the loans. The Aforementioned Nathan Ake returns from Bournemouth,(for now) while Jay Dasilva (Charlton), Marco Van Ginkel (PSV), Isaiah Brown (Huddersfield), Fankaty Dabo, Charlie Colkett and Islam Feruz (Swindon) all go the other way.
So far the only permanent deals are Oscar to Shanghai for a shed load of money and John Mikel Obi who will also go to China, (Tianjin TEDA) following ten and a half years at the club. Should Diego Costa follow the pair east, the Blues will surely be in the market for a high profile replacement.
Crystal Palace
Big Sam begins his rescue job with the acquisition of Leicester’s Jeffrey Schlupp. The Ghanaian full back joins the Eagles for an initial fee of £9m. Keeping the side in the Premier League will be no mean feat and Sam has never been afraid to use the January window so expect a few more players to come in before the end. Going out, striker Freddie Ladapo will swap a loan spell at Oldham Athletic for another at Shrewsbury Town until the end of the season.
Everton
The Toffees look to doing some good business so far this January. Ademola “Mola” Lookman, joined from Charlton Athletic early in the window and has hit the ground running, scoring the final goal in Everton’s 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City. A pacy winger and an England international at u20 he could be a superb signing. The same could be said of Morgan Schneiderlin. The Belgian midfielder was excellent at Southampton before things seemed to stall slightly at Manchester United. He was never poor for United but didn’t seem to fit in to Mourinho’s plans and this £20m move to Merseyside could see him rediscover the form that got him that move in the first place. Probably seen as a replacement for Gareth Barry, Schneiderlin could become a real fixture in this side. Everton fans will be hoping he doesn’t turn out like Tom Cleverly, the former United man will spend the rest of the season on loan at Watford while striker Oumar Niasse will also go out on loan to Hull.
Hull City
The Tigers have been pretty busy so far as you might expect given they did nothing over the summer and despite that still have a chance of staying in the league. Marcus Henrikson initially joined the club on loan from AZ Alkmaar at the beginning of the window but the club have since made the Norwegian international’s move permanent. New manager Marco Silva has also been quick to bring his former Estoril player Evandro in from Porto for an undisclosed fee. The Brazilian midfielder joins on a two and a half year deal and as mentioned above Hull have also signed Everton striker Oumar Niasse on loan until the end of the season.
Leicester City
Leicester, as we’ve said a number of times, are in a bit of trouble. One of the main reasons they haven’t been able to maintain the form that saw them become champions last term is the loss of Kanté to current leaders Chelsea. The Foxes are looking replace that Kanté sized hole in the middle of the park with Nigerian Wilfred Ndidi, who joins from Belgian side KRC Genk. Jeffrey Schlupp as mentioned moves on to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool
All quiet at Liverpool where the only move is Spanish teenager Pedro Chirivello’s loan to Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles. Chances are things will remain quiet at Anfield.
Manchester City
City need work, lots of it, but will Pep act in this window or wait until the summer? Midfielder George Glendon made a loan deal at Fleetwood permanent but most of the “outs” are loan moves. Pablo Maffeo and Angelino (Girona) and Manu Garcia (NAC Breda) are all out until the end of the year but Citeh could do with offloading some of their older, more highly paid players and it’s not clear if Pep has the will to take on such a dramatic project. Coming in is Gabriel Jesus. The deal for the Brazilian was signed long ago so fans have been keen to see what he will bring to the side. Goals are what Citeh need and Palmeiras’ 2016 player of the year should help out in that department.
Don’t miss Part 2 tomorrow.
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