Grading the transfer window of each PL team: Part 2
Welcome back to my blog, and today i will be analysing the January transfer windows of the bottom 10 teams. Ready? Let’s get started.
Aston Villa- A+
Incomings: Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne, Calum Chambers and Olsen.
Outgoings: Davis, Archer, Targett and Philogene-Bidace
What a transfer window from Aston Villa. The owners have gone all out to back Gerrard with some superb signings. It’s hard to believe that this is the same Aston Villa who were nearly relegated during the 19/20 season. Lucas Digne and Coutinho are world-class talents, and the fact they’re playing for Villa is astonishing. This means that Villa have truly become a big club like their fans have been claiming for so long, thanks to Gerrard’s pull and the owners willingness to spell. I’m sure they will finish in the top 10 this season, and will push for Europe with this team full of talents. Calum Chambers and Olsen also help to increase the squad depth, while the outgoings make sense too. In the end, this transfer window could be a defining moment in Villa’s history.
Southampton- B-
Incomings: Caballero
Outgoings: N’Dululu
Southampton didn’t really do much this window, which isn’t really a disaster, but isn’t pleasing either. The club hardly has bucketloads of money, but I did expect some reinforcements to come in. In the end, there isn’t much to say about Southampton’s window.
Crystal Palace- B
Incomings: Mateta and Plange
Outgoings: Jacob montes
Honestly, Crystal Palace could’ve done better this window, but their window was decent enough. Signing Mateta permanently was a smart move, and Plange is a good investment for the future too. Personally, Palace could have used with an extra body in the middle of the park and a full-back too, but still, a pretty ok window from the Eagles.
Brentford- A
Incomings: Jonas Lossl and Christian Eriksen
Outgoings: Racic, Balcombe, Forss, Gunarsson, Thompson, Good, Valencia, Bidstrup and Zamburek
Brentford get an A because they did all they needed to: bring in a new goalie and a midfielder. They also managed to declutter their squad and let youngsters get game time through loans. In the end, nothing much to elaborate except that Brentford had a decent window.
Leeds United- C
Incomings: None
Outgoings: Cody Drameh
This was a terrible window from Leeds. they desperately need players, and instead they let a youngster leave instead. They’ve been naming benches filled with u23 players, which is something rare in the Championship itself, forget the Prem. With so many injuries and COVID cases, I expected Bielsa would want to build his squad depth. He didn’t get a chance to at all. There’s absolutely nothing else to say.
Everton- A
Incomings: Dele Alli, Donny VDB, Nathan Patterson, Myolenko and El Ghazi.
Outgoings: Digne
This was a good window from Everton, with the obvious exception of the departure of a world-class left back Digne. Rival fans can deny it all they want, but there is no way Digne isn’t a world class talent. He’s been consistently outstanding for Everton, but because of a rift with now ex-manager Rafa Benitez, he left for rivals Aston Villa. What a fiasco. Otherwise, Everton did well to fix their problem areas with the players mentioned above.
Newcastle- A
Incomings:Bruno Guimaraes, Wood, Trippier, Burn and Targett.
Outgoings: Woodman, Hendrick and Longstaff
This was a great window from Newcastle fans’ POV, but I feel they could’ve done better. These recruits are all good buys, especially Guimaraes, Trippier and Targett, but I feel that Newcastle could have tried harder to buy young, international talent. It is definitely tough during a January window, but if Everton can pluck up a talent like Myolenko, I’m sure Newcastle could have too. While they have fixed most of their problem areas, they could have use two more players too. In the end, a more-than-decent window from Newcastle.
Norwich City- C
Incomings: None
Outgoings: Cantwell, Bushiri and Mumba
Norwich needed incomings to escape relegation. They didn’t get anyone and let their biggest talent, Cantwell leave. Not great business from those at Carrow Road.
Watford- B
Incomings: Kalu, Kamara, Kayembe, Asprilla, Samir and N’Koulou
Outgoings: Tufan and Asprilla
Watford have done quite ok in terms of transfers, but they get a B because they didn’t even give Ranieri a chance to turn the team around with these new recruits. It doesn’t make sense. Ranieri would have worked hard to get these targets, only to be fired days after. And how exactly will Roy Hodgson now use them to escape relegation? The transfers make sense, but Watford made a mistake firing Ranieri.
Burnley- A
Incomings: Wout Weghorst
Outgoings: Wood
Ever heard of a blessing in disguise? This window has been one for Burnley, who got a major attacking upgrade with Wout Weghorst. The Dutchman is a personal favourite of mine, and he has been consistently prolific for Wolfsburg. This season, the goals may not be as much as he used to score, but Wolfsburg themselves have endured a torrid time in the Bundesliga. Weghorst may be in his comfort zone in the PL, as he is a physical, prolific player in a league which requires strikers to be physical and prolific. Burnley are probably going down anyway, but Weghorst will help them put up a hell of a fight.
So, that’s all for this article and series, and I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Which team had the best window? let me know in the responses, and till next time, adios!
