So that’s it – the January Transfer Window 2016 is done and dusted. The next time Jim White talks at an uncomfortably loud pitch, with a florescent tie on, will be August. The title race, hunt for Europe and relegation battles can no longer be influenced by dipping into the market.
So who signed who, and how good was their business? Read on as we assess the January transfer window business of every single Premier League team and rank them accordingly… (Note: for the most part, non-first team deals omitted):
January Transfer Window Ratings: The Verdict
Arsenal
In: Mohamed Elneny (Basel, £5m)
Out: Mathieu Debuchy (Bordeaux, Loan)
Verdict: Despite criticism for a lack of business in September, Arsene Wenger’s side are deep in the title race for the first time in a long time. Mohamed Elneny is a solid addition and will help bolster their midfield. The big question is whether or not Arsenal should have done more to enhance their title chances. We’ll find out in May. Meanwhile, Mathieu Debuchy’s absence will only be felt if an injury crisis arrives.
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
@Arsenal #ElnenySigns #الننى_يوقع Happy to be In Best Of the Best #gunners ✌️ pic.twitter.com/uUZu3mZ6V6
— Mohamed ELNeny (@ElNennyM) January 14, 2016
Aston Villa
In: None
Out: Joe Cole (Coventry City, free), Gary Gardner (Nottingham Forest, Loan), Callum Robinson (Preston North End, Loan), Joe Bennett (Sheffield Wednesday, Loan), Jose Angel Crespo (Rayo Vallecano, Loan), Phillipe Senderos (released).
Verdict: It was always going to be a tough sell. Villa needed a couple of additions to aid the great escape, and also could have started planning for life in the Championship. They’ve done neither, and it could even cost them their manager – a lack of business being the perfect get out clause.
January Transfer Rating: 0/10
Maybe #AVFC supporters will finally believe me. The club is being run by people not fit for purpose. They must be driven out. Must.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) February 1, 2016
AFC Bournemouth
In: Juan Iturbe (Roma, Loan), Benik Afobe (Wolves £10m), Lewis Grabban (Norwich £7m) Rhoys Wiggins (Sheffield Wednesday £200k), Marius Adamonis (Atlantas, Loan).
Out: Yann Kermogant (Reading, Loan), Ryan Allsop (Wycombe Wanderers, Loan), Lee Tomlin (Bristol City, Loan), Elliott Ward (Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed).
Verdict: As mentioned in my preview piece in December replacements for Max Gradel and Callum Wilson were needed, and they’ve come in the form of Juan Iturbe and Benik Afobe.
Iturbe is certainly capable of dazzling and Benik Afobe has been scoring regularly for 18 months, already netting twice in three games for The Cherries. Lewis Grabban offers another attacking threat, while Wiggins and Adamonis will be cover. Their departures will not have too much of an impact.
Looking forward to putting this shirt on and meeting all my new team mates tomorrow. Thanks for the messages #COYC Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.pic.twitter.com/Xrdqtd8klQ
— Benik Afobé (@Afobe_) January 10, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 7/10
SEE ALSO: Benik Afobe, Charlie Austin and the Premier League’s Championship deals analysed
Chelsea
In: Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls, £3.5m), Alexandre Pato (Corinthians, Loan).
Out: Ramires (Jiangsu Suning, £25m), Papy Djilobodji (Werder Bremen, Loan), Christian Atsu (Malaga, Loan), Patrick Bamford (Norwich City, Loan), Charly Musonda (Real Betis, Loan), Alex Kiwomya (Fleetwood, Loan), Marco van Ginkel (PSV, Loan), Mitchell Beeney (Newport, Loan).
Verdict: Roman was reluctant to get his chequebook out due to uncertainty over the season’s aims and the manager’s future. Alexandre Pato, though some sniggered, has maintained a good goalscoring record throughout his career, and a loan is risk free. Vitesse will be more excited about Matt Miazga’s arrival than Chelsea fans, and for the club to go this long without a major signing is rare.
Personally I think Ramires and Bamford may have proved useful squad options for the final few months.
Welcome to Stamford Bridge, @AlexandrePato! pic.twitter.com/dFeqffbjTl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 29, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 5/10
Crystal Palace
In: Emmanuel Adebayor (Free)
Out: Jonny Williams (MK Dons, Loan), Jack Hunt (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed).
Verdict: Palace’s squad is impressive but they weren’t getting goals from their strikers. Emmanuel Adebayor on a short-term contract could provide the answer, but he does of course come with baggage. Perhaps an extra shot in the arm would have helped the European push. Neither departure will damage the squad too much.
On Adebayor: "You cannot underestimate the quality he has, I've tried to sign him at West Ham and Newcastle. I'm pleased to have him."
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) January 28, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 5/10
Everton
In: Oumar Niasse (Lokomotiv Moscow, £13.5m), Shani Tarashaj (Grasshoppers, £3m), Matty Foulds (Bury, undisclosed).
Out: Steven Naismith (Norwich City, £8.5m), Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday, Loan), Shani Tarashaj (Grasshoppers, loan).
Verdict: Comfortably one of the best performers in the Russian League, Oumar Niasse should excite all at Goodison Park. Toffees fans will be casting an envious eye at Leicester and Tottenham this season and the Senegalese front man may help turn their mood if he hits the ground running. Tarashaj is one for the future.
If, as hoped, Niasse adds goals and assists, the eyebrows raised by Steven Naismith’s departure will be lowered. Roberto Martinez will hope the departure of an impressive attacker who came from a Moscow-based club but flopped (McGeady) isn’t a cruel omen.
BREAKING: Forward Oumar Niasse has completed a £13.5million move to Everton from Lokomotiv Moscow. #WelcomeOumar pic.twitter.com/9R1C8z39Cz
— Everton (@Everton) February 1, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
Leicester City
In: Daniel Amartey (Copenhagen, £5m), Demarai Gray (Birmingham City, £3.75m), Daniel Iversen (Esbjerg, £200,000).
Out: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim, Loan), Ritchie de Laet (Middlesbrough, Loan), Yohan Benalouane (Fiorentina, Loan).
Verdict: As mentioned in December, Leicester should strike while the iron is hot. And they have, sort of. Demarai Gray is one for the future mainly, but could impact this season and Daniel Amartey’s versatility could come in handy.
They may come to regret missing out on Ahmed Musa, Loic Remy and Mame Diouf however. Though I’m sure if you offered a Leicester fan Champions League football, and disappointment at not winning the title, they’d have taken in in August.
BREAKING: #lcfc sign Ghana star @DanAmartey on a contract until 2020 – https://t.co/pqM3Xjp8Za #AmarteyLCFC pic.twitter.com/0AZzqNdD6Z
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 22, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
Liverpool
In: Marko Grujic (Red Star Belgrade, £5.1m), Steven Caulker (QPR, Loan).
Out: Marko Grujic (Red Star Belgrade, Loan).
Verdict: No comment can be on Marko Grujic until next season at least, and Steven Caulker is emergency cover. Even with the ridiculous price demanded for Alex Teixeira Liverpool fans will be disappointed with how the window unfolded without a significant addition.
With loan players recalled due to injuries Liverpool were reluctant to let players go.
Linked with Teixiera, Morata & Gundogan.
Got Steven Caulker on a 6 month loan. pic.twitter.com/UBq1lqvrG5
— Injuredpool (@LFCRelated) February 1, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 4/10
Manchester City
In: Anthony Caceres (Central Coast Mariners, £150,000)
Out: Enes Unal (NAC Breda, Loan), Bruno Zuculini (AEK Athens, Loan), Patrick Roberts (Celtic, Loan).
Verdict: The biggest move – perhaps of any club – was of course for Pep Guardiola. And it’s probably down to this impending managerial change, and the lack of any pressing need, that Manchester City haven’t added. Maybe some cover up top or in defence would have helped, but cheap options weren’t jumping out at them.
January Transfer Rating: n/a – no real need to add so hard to rank.
Manchester United
In: None
Out: Victor Valdes (Standard Liege, Loan), Nick Powell (Hull City, Loan).
Verdict: Like their neighbours, an impending managerial change may be the reason behind a dry January. But, unlike their neighbours, one or two additions probably should have been made. They’re feeding off scraps at full-back, and a catalyst in attack (Adnan Januzaj aside) would have been welcomed with open arms. Again, no impact will be felt from their departures.
January Transfer Rating: 2/10
Newcastle United
In: Henri Saivet (Bordeaux, £5m), Andros Townsend (Spurs, £12m), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea, £12m), Seydou Doumbia (Roma, Loan).
Out: Shane Ferguson (Millwall, undisclosed), Mike Williamson (Wolves, undisclosed), Florian Thauvin (Marseille, Loan), Gael Bigirimana (Coventry, Loan).
Verdict: Newcastle had to, and have gone big. Henri Saivet is an interesting throwback to the French bargain buys, while Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend – described as inconsistent and overrated respectively – can be match winners on their day and have points to prove. Seydou Doumbia is an exciting signing, too.
CONFIRMED: Newcastle United sign striker Seydou Doumbia on loan. More at https://t.co/iDkcawZlBb. #SeydouSigns #NUFC pic.twitter.com/egpXiOagvm
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 1, 2016
Perhaps crucially however they haven’t added in defence. Mike Williamson is a slightly risky departure in terms of squad depth but other losses won’t be felt.
January Transfer Rating: 8/10
Norwich City
In: Steven Naismith (Everton, £8m), Timm Klose (Wolfsburg, £7.6m), Matt Jarvis (West Ham United, £2.5m), Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb, undisclosed), Patrick Bamford (Chelsea, Loan).
Out: Lewis Grabban (Bournemouth, £7m), Elliott Bennett (Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed), Gary Hooper (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed).
Verdict: Like their rivals, Norwich have spent big in an attempt to earn big next season. Pinto and Klose will need to step up to help out a leaky defence, but the goalscoring potential of Steven Naismith (already shown) and Patrick Bamford (if on Middlesbrough form) is mouth-watering.
DONE DEAL | City sign @ChelseaFC striker @Patrick_Bamford on loan until end of the season. Story to follow. #ncfc pic.twitter.com/QGmEmTaP4M
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) January 30, 2016
New signings are much more reliable on paper than Grabban and Hooper. If an injury crisis strikes they may regret letting Bennett go.
January Transfer Rating: 7/10
Southampton
In: Charlie Austin (QPR, £4m)
Out: Sam McQueen (Southend, loan)
Verdict: A transfer window without any major departures is a nice treat for Southampton. It would be tough to replicate last season, but Charlie Austin’s goals will give Southampton a better chance of reaching Europe again. Goals were the order of the month too, with Graziano Pelle’s form not quite a perfect as his quiff. A key area addressed, but only one.
Delighted to have joined @SouthamptonFC I will give everything to be successful here ⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/8DAxo1k8pP
— Charlie Austin (@chazaustin9) January 16, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
Stoke City
In: Giannelli Imbula (FC Porto, £18.3m)
Out: Steve Sidwell (Brighton and Hove Albion, Loan)
Verdict: A few eyebrows were raised when Gianelli Imbula, one of the hottest properties in Ligue 1, joined Porto. It’s not worked out too well there but his Marseille form has prompted this big money move – the biggest deal of the window. A good Steven N’Zonzi replacement, but Stoke may be disappointed they didn’t get a striker.
#scfc delighted to confirm the signing of Giannelli Imbula from Porto for £18.3m – https://t.co/lkLqlVUn9F pic.twitter.com/8B5LvfdzGN
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 1, 2016
It’s unknown whether Steve Sidwell did move to Stoke, or whether he fell down a giant well after leaving Fulham.
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
Sunderland
In: Wahbi Khazri (Bordeaux, £8m), Lamine Kone (Lorient, £6m), Jan Kirchhoff (Bayern Munich, £750,000), Dame N’Doye (Trabzonspor, Loan), Steve Harper (Free agent).
Out: Costel Pantilimon (Watford, free), Steven Fletcher (Marseille, Loan), Will Buckley (Birmingham City, Loan), Danny Graham (Blackburn Rovers, Loan), Sebastien Coates (Sporting Lisbon, Loan), Jordi Gomez.
Verdict: Every Sunderland manager has had cash to splash in order to avoid relegation and Sam Allardyce seems to have added electricity (Khazri) and an eye for goal (N’Doye). Big Sam will have his sizeable head in his hands if Lamine Kone has a debut as disastrous as fellow signing Jan Kirchoff, however.
Pantilimon, Coates, Fletcher and Gomes have all been regulars previously at Sunderland, so it will be interesting to see if they’re missed.
#SAFC are delighted to confirm the signing of Wahbi Khazri on a four-and-a-half-year deal. #WelcomeWahbi pic.twitter.com/z5mnTgZz9v
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 30, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
Swansea City
In: Alberto Paloschi (Cheivo, £8m), Leroy Fer (QPR, Loan), Ryan Blair (Falkirk, undisclosed).
Out: Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle, £12m) Eder (Lille, Loan).
Verdict: Swansea’s troubles this season could be put down to the fact that, for the first time since their arrival in the Premier League, they haven’t had a reliable goalscorer (Graham, Michu, Bony). So there is immediate pressure on Alberto Paloschi, and another forward would have been advisable.
Despite a bitter end Shelvey was showing very promising signs in South Wales so had to be replaced. Leroy Fer brings a fiery temper and some questionable decisions but also a range of passes, drive from midfield and a goal threat, so it’s almost like-for-like. Swansea seem to have done the bare minimum – whether that will be enough only time will tell.
Eder’s legacy will rival Leroy Lita, Itay Shechter and Nelson Oliveira’s.
Alberto Paloschi revealed that Francesco Guidolin was the key factor behind Liberty move – https://t.co/feAClH7gVH pic.twitter.com/GF4GosdlAt
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) January 30, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 5/10
Tottenham Hotspur
In: Shilow Tracey (Ebbsfleet, undisclosed)
Out: Andros Townsend (Newcastle, £12m), Frederico Fazio (Sevilla, Loan), Alex Pritchard (WBA, Loan), Milos Veljkovic (Werder Bremen, undisclosed).
Verdict: When we’re looking back in May, Tottenham’s decision not to spend this month could well prove season-defining. Five points from top and five points above 5th shows there’s still a lot to fight for, and some defensive cover and another option upfront should have been signed. Moussa Dembele’s collapsed deal (the Fulham one), and Jan Vertonghen’s injury may be stories revisited.
In the meantime, the departures don’t strike an immediate threat to Spurs’ ambitions.
January Transfer Rating: 3/10
Watford
In: Abdoulaye Doucoure (Rennes, £8m), Nordin Amrabat (Malaga, £6.1m), Mario Suarez (Fiorentina, £4m), Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland, undisclosed), Adalberto Peñaranda (Granada, undisclosed).
Out: Diego Fabbrini (Birmingham City, £1.5m), Alessandro Diamanti (Atalanta, Loan), Abdoulaye Doucoure (Granada, loan).
Verdict: Nordin Amrabat and Mario Suarez are solid additions familiar to the manager and Costel Pantilimon offers more experienced backup. These are good additions to a good squad, who are surely safe. The Doucoure and promising Peñaranda deals see Watford investing in the future.
SUÁREZ: "#Watfordfc is going in a very good direction" – new signing on joining the Hornets https://t.co/KHSZVZRWWR pic.twitter.com/3qNVS3E3st
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) January 30, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 7/10
West Bromwich Albion
In: Sandro (QPR, Loan), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham, Loan)
Out: Anders Lindegaard (Preston North End, Loan), Adil Nabi (Peterborough, undisclosed)
Verdict: Seven points above relegation, West Brom felt secure enough not to panic buy, but not so secure that they’d let (still sort of) star man Saido Berahino go. Sandro is good enough to play in the Premier League and Alex Pritchard was one of the best players in the Championship last season so the additions are certainly tidy. Maybe more could have been done.
It’s Berahino’s situation that will gather headlines however. If a compromise can be reached where he plays regularly for West Brom until May, and is then allowed to leave in the summer, then all parties will benefit. Anders Lindegaard drops down a division in search of first team football.
Everyone waiting once again for the silly little spoilt boy to make same mistake so here you go.
Goodnight all and thanks for the support❤️— Saido Berahino (@SBerahino) February 1, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
West Ham United
In: Sam Byram (Leeds United, £3.5m), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Loan).
Out: Matt Jarvis (Norwich £2,5m), Mauro Zarate (Fiorentina, £1.6m).
Verdict: Sam Byram is an excellent addition for the price paid, and showed his talents in the draw with Manchester City. Emmanuel Emenike on his day a colossus, but it remains to be seen how he will adapt to English football.
Given that this is West Ham’s best chance at a Champions League place in years it may be asked why they didn’t push the boat out that bit further, especially given how reliant they were on Dimitri Payet during his injury absence.
BREAKING: #WHUFC have signed Emmanuel Emenike on loan until the end of the season >https://t.co/Ge5rjiSLl2 #COYI pic.twitter.com/xC5rrPs9NF
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 31, 2016
January Transfer Rating: 6/10
Agree / disagree with our verdicts? Let us know on Twitter @JustFootball or Facebook or contact me @rosstyson directly. Head here for every single deal including U21s.
The post January Transfer Window Ratings: Every Premier League club’s January business – graded appeared first on Just Football.