The January transfer window has come to a close and the Premier League clubs have been very busy. Clubs were racing to get their last-minute transfers over the line.
The Premier League clubs were heavily involved in the market but how did they do? Who were the big winners and who are going to struggle?
Arsenal – 8/10
Ins – Konstantinos Mavropanos, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Outs – Stephy Mavididi, Francis Coquelin, Tafari Moor, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Ben
Sheaf, Marcus McGuane, Olivier Giroud, Krystian Bielik, Mathieu Debuchy
Arsene Wenger has made some vast improvements to his squad during this window bring in the likes of Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang. He also secured the signature of Mesut Ozil until 2021. However, he did lose Giroud and Sanchez to Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United. Arsenal drastically needed to improve their defence during this window and he failed to do this. It looks like Arsenal’s new game plan is to score more than the other can.
AFC Bournemouth – 4/10
Ins – None
Outs – Aaron Ramsdale, Connor Mahoney, Lewis Grabban, Ryan Allsop, Benik Afobe
Bournemouth look to be safe in mid table this season but the lack of signing could hinder them come the end of the season. Eddie Howe has done a remarkable job with his group of players and he will be hoping that they can all stay fit to push up the table.
Brighton and Hove Albion – 6/10
Ins – Warren O’Hara, Leonardo Ulloa, Jurgen Locadia
Outs – Jamie Murphy, Ben Hall
Brighton will be looking to hit the magical 40 points during the second half of the season to secure Premier League football for next season. The addition of Leonardo Ulloa will be a great help to this, adding another proven goal scorer to their ranks will be a big boost. Chris Hughton will hope his goals can lead them up the table.
Burnley – 7/10
Ins – Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, Aaron Lennon
Outs – Jimmy Dunne, Luke Hendrie, Tom Anderson
Burnley and Sean Dyche have added to their attacking options during this window. Aaron Lennon and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou will be a great addition to their starting 11. Dyche will be hoping to add a few goals to his sides tally as they venture up the table. Dyche also decided not to strength their defence ahead of the second half of the season due to his side’s great defensive options.
Chelsea – 7.5/10
Ins – Ross Barkley, Emerson, Olivier Giroud
Outs – Diego Costa, Ike Ugbo, Kenedy, Jake Clark- Salter, Charly Mousonda, Michy
Batshuayi, Kasey Palmer, Todd Kane
Chelsea will be looking to keep in the hunt for the top four with their signings. Nabbing
Oliver Giroud and Ross Barkley from Everton and Arsenal could be a stroke of genius. If they play to their top quality for the blues the gamble could pay off. In times where transfer fees are astronomical getting the pair for Giroud and Barkley for a total of 33 million is fantastic. With their proven Premier League quality, they could confirm Chelsea a Champions League spot. Chelsea may struggle for attacking options through the middle after letting MIchy Batshuayi go on loan to Borussia Dortmund, he looks to be off to a flyer already.
Crystal Palace – 6/10
Ins – Jaroslaw Jach, Erdal Rakip, Alexander Sorloth
Outs – Noor Husin, Keshi Anderson, Sullay Kaikai, Freddie Lapado
Crystal Palace have improved a lot since Roy Hodgson took charge. They currently sit 15th and they are looking ever more likely to survive for another season. The addition of Polish international Jaoslaw Jach could help with the early season defensive problems. The signing of Erdal Rakip from Benfica could bolster their midfield.
Everton – 8.5/10
Ins – Cenk Tosun, Theo Walcott, Eliaquim Mangala
Outs – Gethin Jones, Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas, Harry Charsley, Aaron Lennon, Boris
Mathis, Sandro Ramirez, Louis Gray, Ademola Lookman, Mo Besic
Sam Allardyce seems to have turned a corner with Everton in recent months. The addition of Theo Walcott and Eliaquim Mangala could help with their goal scoring and defensive problems. Adding proven Premier League quality could help Evertn move up the table. Allardyce also let the likes of Kevin Mirallas and Mo Besic leave the club this time around after some below par performances from them.
Huddersfield Town – 7/10
Ins – Alex Pritchard, Terence Kongolo
Outs – Jack Payne, Joe Lolley
The signings of Alex Pritchard and Terence Kongolo could improve Huddersfield a great deal. Both very highly rated in their respective leagues, they could be the difference between relegation and survival. Kongolo has league winning experience which could help to improve the Huddersfield defence ahead of the business end of the season.
Leicester City – 5/10
Ins – Adrien Silva, Fousseni Diabate
Outs – Raul Uche, Leanardo Ulloa, Ahmed Musa, Andy King, Islam Slimani
Leicester did very well during this transfer window to keep hold of Riyad Mahrez, with
interest from Manchester City towards the end of the window. They also managed to sell a few dead weights who haven’t been performing as Leicester push up the table.
Liverpool – 6.5/10
Ins – Virgil Van Dijk, Tony Gallagher
Outs – Corey Whelan, Philippe Coutinho, Cameron Brannagan, Ryan Kent, Marko Grujic,
Matty Virtue, Daniel Strurridge, Lloyd Jones, Jon Flanagan, Harry Wilson, Ovie Ejarua, Lazar Markovic
Liverpool look to have addressed their major problem at the back with the signing of Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton. He could improve the reds make shift defence as they push deep into the Champions League. Phillippe Coutinho finally got his dream move to
Barcelona leaving a whole on the left hand side but it looks like they didn’t need him as they continue to find the next just as much. They may struggle up top if Mohamed Salah gets injured as they let Daniel Strurridge head out on loan but they continue to find goals no matter who starts at striker.
Manchester City – 7.5/10
Ins – Aymeric Laporte, Jack Harrison
Out – Shay Facey, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, Kean Bryan, MArlos Moreno, Chidi Nwakali, Ashley
Smith Brown, Jacob Davenport, Jack Harrison, Charlie Oliver, Eliaquim Mangala
If we are being honest is there much that Pep Guardiola needs to do to improve Manchester City’s side? The addition of Aymeric Laporte at the back will do a great deal for the squad, more clean sheets as the season goes on. The signing of Jack Harrison from New York City will be a huge one in the future. He has been doing great in the MLS and City have decided to bring him back to the UK. Although he has been sent out on loan to Middlesbrough, he is one for the future.
Manchester United – 7.5/10
Ins – Alexis Sanchez
Outs – Demetri Mitchell, James Wilson, Henrikh MKhitaryan, Axel Tuanzebe, Matty Willock, Charlie Scott
Manchester United have added a versatile and creative forward to their ranks in Alexis
Sanchez. Jose Mourinho will be hoping that he has more of an effect on his team than
Mikhitaryan who struggled to find form. The addition of Sanchez may help The Red Devil
push further in the cup competitions. Mourinho has decided to give some fringe players a chance to go out on loan and come back stronger for next season.
Newcastle United – 6/10
Ins – Kenedy, Islam Slimani, Martin Dubravka
Outs – Adam Armstrong, Ivan Toney, Kyle Cameron, Daniel Barlaser, Aleksander Mitrovic, Jamie Sterry, Henri Saivet, Rolando Aarons, Freddie Woodman
Newcastle waited until the last minute to make some signings. Kenedy has shown signs of promise at Chelsea. Islam Slimani may be able to add goals in the absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic who has also go out on loan.
Southampton – 6/10
Ins – Guido Carrillo
Outs – Virgil van Dijk, Marcus Barnes, Ryan Seager
Southampton look to be struggling with the loss of Van Dijk, it looks like they failed to
replace him with the £75 million they got for him. Guido Carrillo could take the pressure off Manolo Gabbiadini, Charlie Austin and Shane Long. Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping he can fire them out of a relegation fight.
Stoke City – 6/10
Ins – Moussa Niakate, Moritz Bauer, Kostas Stafylidis, Badou Ndiaye
Outs – Josh Tymon, Julien Ngoy
Paul Lambert has looked to boost Stoke’s defensive options with his signings. Struggling at the wrong end of the table and he will be hoping that a strong defence will start to change his fortune. Badou Ndiaye has been tipped for greatness in a Stoke shirt by his manager, he will be hoping to fulfil his potential.
Swansea City – 7/10
Ins – Andre Ayew, Andy King, Jack Withers
Outs – Adam King, Joe Rodon, Roque Mesa, Oli McBurnie, Jack Withers
Swansea looked to have turned a corner since Carlos Carvalhal took charge. Big results
against Arsenal and Liverpool have pushed them out of the relegation zone. The experience of Andre Ayew and Andy King will help The Swans as they battle to beat the drop.
Tottenham Hotspur – 7.5/10
Ins – Lucas Moura
Outs – Marcua Edwards, Georges- Kevin N’Koudou, Luke Amos, Anton Walkes, Shayon
Harrison
Tottenham had a some-what quiet transfer window but the signing of Lucas Moura shows their intent. The forward was out of favour at PSG and he is hoping a starting spot in the Spurs side will win him a World Cup place. This addition could help them push them further in both the Champions League and the league.
Watford – 6/10
Ins – Gerard Deulofeu, Dodi Lukebakio, Didier Ndong
Outs – Alek Jakubaik, Michael Folivi, Charlie Rowan, Brice Dja Djedje, Isaac Success, Costel Pantillimon, Ben Watson
Watford’s form hasn’t been great of late but Javi Gracia has added to his squad to try and
push for a top half finish. Gerard Deulofeu has Premier League experience with Everton,
Gracia will be hoping that he a grab some important goals in the second half of the season.
West Bromwich Albion – 6.5/10
Ins – Ahmed Hegazi, Daniel Sturridge, Ali Gabr
Outs – Kane Wilson, Shaun Donnellan, Tyler Roberts, Jack Fitzwater, Kyle Howkins, Max
Melbourne
Securing the signature of Ahmed Hegazi could be huge for West Brom come the end of the season with more teams becoming interested in Jonny Evans. The capture of Daniel
Sturridge on loan from Liverpool could help Alan Pardew lift his side off the bottom of the table, that’s if he manages to stay injury free.
West Ham United – 7/10
Ins – Joao Mario, Jordan Hugill
Outs – Diafra Sakho, Andre Ayew, Reece Oxford, Reece Burke, Moses Makasi
David Moyes’s West Ham revival looks like it could continue with the signings of Joao Mario from Inter Milan and Jordan Hugill from Preston. Hugill has grabbed 10 goals and two assists this season, his quality could help them score some important goals come the end of the season. Moyes has also let Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew leave the club, putting pressure on the forwards at the club. He will be hoping that this gamble will pay off for him. Reece Oxford looks to be gaining more first team experience while on loan in Germany.
Written by Adam Harrison @AdamHSports
