Transfer winners

Thursday, 01/09/2011

by Luke Massey

Transfer activity, in a previously quiet window, accelerated dramatically on deadline day. Manchester United and Liverpool may have acted early, spending lavishly on home grown players. But the general course of action had been patience, with clubs biding their time before pouncing on top targets.

The rumour mill has of course been in overdrive all summer long. But the sporadic nature of early August dealings held no clues for the mad last minute scramble that ensued. Sunderland had been the big movers in terms of numbers, John O’Shea and Wes Brown amongst other new arrivals. But it was QPR, Arsenal and Stoke who came late to the party.

Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips appear set to provide fresh impetus to a QPR survival bid driven by Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes.

The West London club now look the best equipped of all the promoted clubs. Arsenal fans will be relieved that the 8-2 annihilation at Old Trafford finally stirred their stubborn French boss into action.

But do German defender Per Mertesacker and Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta hold the key to reversing the slide?

And what of Tony Pulis’ late handy work. With Wilson Palacios, Peter Crouch from Spurs and Birmingham City's Cameron Jerome now on board, fans are dreaming of a top six finish.

The arrival of Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero certainly signals a further statement of intent from mega-rich Manchester City. Their £74m summer revamp has dominated the headlines, and certainly looks value for money thus far.

Conversely, heavy spending at Stamford Bridge had largely slipped under the radar, even after deals for Lukaku and Juan Mata pushed their 2011 outlay past a staggering £100m. But in Mourinho-esque fashion it was boss Andre Villas-Boas who had the final word. Will Raul Meireles from Liverpool prove the catalyst for Chelsea redemption?

Outside the top clubs, Wolves and Newcastle have looked the best of the rest in August. Defender Roger Johnson looks to have added much needed steel to the Molineux outfit, while Frenchman Yohan Cabaye already looks an accomplished midfielder on Tyneside.

But can they challenge the likes of Tottenham for a European place, with ‘wheeler dealer’ Harry Redknapp enduring a largely frustrating window. The chance is certainly there to leapfrog penniless Everton.

Low profile signings of West Brom, Wigan, Fulham and Bolton suggest they will remain within the middle to lower realms of the division. Striker Shane Long looks the best of an uninspiring bunch as he looks to transfer his Championship form to the Hawthorns.

For Bolton, much will depend on French recruit David Ngog, who joins after an unsuccessful spell at Liverpool. Blackburn’s relative inactivity will no doubt worry the Ewood faithful. Surely Scott Dann was not the marquee signing that the Venky’s had in mind?

Top deals!

In Charlie Adam Liverpool have finally found a replacement for Xabi Alonso. Ashley Young is undoubtedly helping to get the best out of an energised Wayne Rooney at Man United. And Charles N’Zogbia looks a crucial component of McLeish’s Aston Villa revolution. Oh and Nasri and Aguero look pretty tasty.

Biggest surprises!

Owen Hargreaves to Man City and Craig Bellamy to Liverpool

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