World football (or as we call it here in the United States: soccer) much anticipated winter transfer window came to a close on Jan. 31. It was a chance for many clubs across the world, and especially in Europe, to add or subtract to their respective squad. The common goal being, in most cases, to improve the overall structure of the squad, and aim for better results in the second half of their respective campaigns.
In England, clubs in the Premier League as well as those in the Championship were looking to reinforce their squads in order to begin the final push to achieve their clubs particular goals. For some teams, such as, Chelsea FC, Manchester City, and Arsenal, securing a transfer can be key in their run for the premier league crown.
Jose Mourinho, manager of Chelsea, was certainly active during this year’s winter transfer window. Mourinho brought in midfielder Nemanja Matic from Benfica for roughly $34 million, winger Mohamed Salah from Basel for $18 million, and center back Kurt Zouma for $20 million.
Mourinho sold attacking-midfielder, Juan Mata, to his former rivals, Manchester United, for $60 million. It was certainly the most surprising piece of business in this years transfer window and although many were shocked, Mourinho knew that Mata would not be part of his plans. Therefore, Mourinho decided to sell him to a Manchester United team that does not pose a threat to his Chelsea side and give Mata a run of games at a top club.
For relegation threatened clubs like Fulham, Cardiff City, West Ham and Crystal Palace the January transfer window offered a final chance to improve the quality of their squads and make a push for premier league survival.
Also, Cardiff City’s new boss former Manchester United striker, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, dipped into the transfer market quickly upon arrival. He bought former players of his, Moller Daehli from Molde, and Fabio da Silva from Manchester United. He managed to lure fellow Norwegian, Magnus Wolff Eikrem from German side Heerenveen and secured the loan services of England U-21 international Wilfried Zaha from Manchester United.
Former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen, now manager of Fulham, made quite a splash in the transfer window too. Meulensteen signed Olympiacos striker Konstantinos Mitroglou, Manchester United duo Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole, Johnny Heitinga on a free transfer from Everton and secured the loan services of US international Clint Dempsey.
Meulensteen did loan out former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to french team as Monaco.
With only 3 months left of the premier league and UEFA Champions League teams had their final chance to amend their squads and continue the road to success. For many relegated threatened teams if survival is not secured they will look at the transfer window as a failure. For Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea the teams that do not end up at the top of the table will be thinking what could have been.
