The 5 best January transfers (Part 1) - Premier League
by Chris
Welcome to the fourteenth day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
The January window, since its inception in 2004 has brought an opportunity for struggling clubs to sign players to help them maintain their PL status, or an opportunity for those at the top or in midtable to consolidate and improve their chances. In the Premier League, we've seen plenty of these be successful and here are a countdown of 5 of the best in the previous 14 years.
Nemanja MATIC
SL Benfica to Chelsea
£21m in Jan 2015
It would be fair to say that Chelsea have made some mistakes when signing and letting players go in recent years, and after an excellent start to the 2014/15 season under Jose Mourinho, the Blues announced that they would see the return of former young defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic, now a little more mature and adept to the English game. He returned to the Bridge, establishing himself as a midfield engine and defensive mastermind, winning two titles and one league cup, before being sold to Manchester United to rejoin Jose Mourinho. His impact certainly helped Chelsea win their title in 14/15, and his partnership with N'Golo Kante last season was a big part of Conte's success.
Phillipe COUTINHO
Inter Milan to Liverpool
£8.5m in Jan 2013
Being linked with big moves away perhaps this or next window, Coutinho has been nothing but a total bargain for Liverpool. Silky skills, a fierce shot and an infectious work rate on both wings and centrally have seen him become one of the league's elite. After an inconsistent career after being signed by Rafa Benitez at Inter in 2010, Coutinho had a loan spell at Espanyol before moving to Brendan Rodgers's reds in 2013. He began well although did show signs of inconsistency. He contributed good amounts of goals in 13/14, 14/15, and 15/16, but his best scoring season came last season where he hit 14 as Jürgen Klopp oversaw Liverpool to 4th place. This season, after severe speculation over his future and attitude, has performed very well, including his first Liverpool hat trick in the 7-0 demolition of Spartak Moscow.
Nemanja VIDIC
Spartak Moscow to Manchester United
£7m in Jan 2006
The Serbian couldn't quite stop Chelsea from winning their second consecutive title in 2006, but in the 8 years he spent at United he established himself as one of the best centre backs in Premier League history. Although never possessed with great pace, his match awareness coupled with Rio Ferdinand's athleticism gave for a perfect couplet. They ironically beat Liverpool to his signature, who instead signed Brondby's Daniel Agger, and both became icons at their club, but Vidic certainly had the most glittering career in terms of silverware. He joined Inter in 2014 and struggled, eventually retiring 2 years later.
Luis SUAREZ
Ajax to Liverpool
£22.5m in Jan 2011
After almost single handedly dragging the Reds to a title in 2014, it was inevitable, even before the audacious Uruguayan bit Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup, that he would be a wanted man that summer, and after deflecting interest from Arsenal the year before, Suarez was sold to Barcelona and has gone on to win numerous titles. But after his arrival, alongside Andy Carroll for Kenny Dalgish's Liverpool, he showed some glimmers of quality but not the clinical instinct he developed in his latter years at Anfield. Hitting 65 goals in 110 Premier League games, he truly was one of the best players to grace the Premier League in recent years.
There shall be a part two of this tomorrow. Give me your opinion as it is very valued here on the Sporting Lowdown.
Chris :)
Welcome to the fourteenth day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
The January window, since its inception in 2004 has brought an opportunity for struggling clubs to sign players to help them maintain their PL status, or an opportunity for those at the top or in midtable to consolidate and improve their chances. In the Premier League, we've seen plenty of these be successful and here are a countdown of 5 of the best in the previous 14 years.
Nemanja MATIC
SL Benfica to Chelsea
£21m in Jan 2015
It would be fair to say that Chelsea have made some mistakes when signing and letting players go in recent years, and after an excellent start to the 2014/15 season under Jose Mourinho, the Blues announced that they would see the return of former young defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic, now a little more mature and adept to the English game. He returned to the Bridge, establishing himself as a midfield engine and defensive mastermind, winning two titles and one league cup, before being sold to Manchester United to rejoin Jose Mourinho. His impact certainly helped Chelsea win their title in 14/15, and his partnership with N'Golo Kante last season was a big part of Conte's success.
Mikel ARTETA
Real Sociedad to Everton
£2m (after loan) in Jan 2005
After seeing fellow Basque midfielder Xabi Alonso succeeding on Merseyside, Everton swooped for the Spaniard's former teammate Arteta in 2005. His performances guided Everton to their highest ever Premier League finish of 4th under David Moyes, and was a consistent performer for the Toffees for the next 6 years before joining Arsenal. He is now a coach under Pep Guardiola at Man City and was harmed in the 'milkgate' incident.
Phillipe COUTINHO
Inter Milan to Liverpool
£8.5m in Jan 2013
Being linked with big moves away perhaps this or next window, Coutinho has been nothing but a total bargain for Liverpool. Silky skills, a fierce shot and an infectious work rate on both wings and centrally have seen him become one of the league's elite. After an inconsistent career after being signed by Rafa Benitez at Inter in 2010, Coutinho had a loan spell at Espanyol before moving to Brendan Rodgers's reds in 2013. He began well although did show signs of inconsistency. He contributed good amounts of goals in 13/14, 14/15, and 15/16, but his best scoring season came last season where he hit 14 as Jürgen Klopp oversaw Liverpool to 4th place. This season, after severe speculation over his future and attitude, has performed very well, including his first Liverpool hat trick in the 7-0 demolition of Spartak Moscow.
Nemanja VIDIC
Spartak Moscow to Manchester United
£7m in Jan 2006
The Serbian couldn't quite stop Chelsea from winning their second consecutive title in 2006, but in the 8 years he spent at United he established himself as one of the best centre backs in Premier League history. Although never possessed with great pace, his match awareness coupled with Rio Ferdinand's athleticism gave for a perfect couplet. They ironically beat Liverpool to his signature, who instead signed Brondby's Daniel Agger, and both became icons at their club, but Vidic certainly had the most glittering career in terms of silverware. He joined Inter in 2014 and struggled, eventually retiring 2 years later.
Luis SUAREZ
Ajax to Liverpool
£22.5m in Jan 2011
After almost single handedly dragging the Reds to a title in 2014, it was inevitable, even before the audacious Uruguayan bit Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup, that he would be a wanted man that summer, and after deflecting interest from Arsenal the year before, Suarez was sold to Barcelona and has gone on to win numerous titles. But after his arrival, alongside Andy Carroll for Kenny Dalgish's Liverpool, he showed some glimmers of quality but not the clinical instinct he developed in his latter years at Anfield. Hitting 65 goals in 110 Premier League games, he truly was one of the best players to grace the Premier League in recent years.
There shall be a part two of this tomorrow. Give me your opinion as it is very valued here on the Sporting Lowdown.
Chris :)
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