I’d first like to take a moment and say Happy New Year 2010 to all the Glorious Football readers, fans, and supporters. It’s great to be back, and my sincerest hope to you is that you never endure a so-called “vacation” without internet access in your lifetime. Fortunately, it so happened that many of the biggest matches of the period were postponed due to the deep freeze known by so-called intelligent scientists as “Global Warming,” and I can pick up where I left off for the most part in terms of the big league seasons and cups.
One of the shocks to me of the holiday season and now into 2010 has been the utter lack of meaningful transfer discussion. Perhaps it’s just me not fully getting back to speed, but it seems that the typical transfer window rumor mill’s wheel has ground to a near halt. Even Sky Sports seemed disinterested in the daily gossip grind, which is stunning to me. I suppose it is a slow term when an American being loaned to Everton is one of the headlines of the activity. (And doubly so when I am reduced to self-deprecation of my nation as sports news.). Looking at the market, Vieira and Maxi would have to be the two biggest moves. The question is how much will these players be able (or even allowed) to contribute. Let’s take a look at some of the potentially pivotal moves thus far amongst the Barclay’s Premier League.
Patrick Vieira – Manchester City
By all accounts, this is probably the signing of the window so far. Yes, Patrick is 33, and the English game can be a bruising and punishing one. Having played for the Arsenal for so long however, the veteran Frenchman will be prepared for it and I believe can thus contribute immediately. At the best, Vieira becomes the final bit of stability City needs to clinch a top 4 place and a Champions League berth.
Maxi Rodriguez – Liverpool
A puzzling signing for a club already in dire financial straits (though offloading Dossena and Voronin certainly will have provided at least some minimal return), though given Atletico’s situation they probably got a decent value for money. You have to wonder though if it will even be useful as all of Maxi’s ability will be for naught if he finds himself squarely on the bench. Yes, the bench, the same place big money manager Rafa Benitez seems to enjoy placing big money offseason signing Alberto Aquilani and other such once-treasured acquisitions like Ryan Babel. It’s widely accepted that players coming from Italy need a year to adjust to the play style in the Prem. At Aquilani’s rate of participation, he should be fit to give his 100% for the Reds by 2013 and has already been shipped back out of the then-soon-to-be-condemned Anfield. Liverpool fans will have to desperately hope that Maxi can avoid a similar level of matchday participation.
Landon Donovan – Everton
Based on the “current exploits” principle (aka the “What have you done for me lately” rule), Landon has been the signing of the window. His two performances for the Toffees have been purely inspired and he is enjoying his football on top of all that. It simply affirms what Americans that don’t hold grudges against pretty-boys already knew: Landon Donovan is not only one hell of a football player, but he can be a major contributor at the elite levels. Though the English game is so punishing and taxing, I would actually prefer him to extend his loan spell until season’s end so as to avoid the crunching, ugly challenges that you often see once or twice in an MLS match. Not that injuries can’t happen in England, of course, but there are some footballers plying their trade here in America lacking in quality, competence, and decency. Wherever he ends up for the rest of 2009-2010, he needs to stay injury free for the sake of the American hope.
and finally…. *crickets*
Believe it or not, that’s it for major moves. Others of note:
- Michel (MF), age 24 (Sporting Gijon –> Birm. City – $3M): Frankly I think this is an overpay as a result of Birmingham being desperate to crack the top 6. Their results, goal difference, and performances in some key matches don’t give me any confidence that a single signing like this put them over the hump into the European places.
- Dossena and Voronin (Liverpool –> Who Cares?): Probably the only 2 smart things anyone within the club has done in the past 12 months.
- Gary Caldwell (DC) (Celtic –> Wigan – rumored $1M, 1/2 in incentives): A decent signing for Roberto Martinez’s men. Should help provide some leadership to an erratic but capable defense. Will be vocal surely, and was solid in his debut against Wolves.
- Amr Zaki (S) (Zamalek –> Hull – Loan): The unprofessional Egyptian returns to the Premier League. He’s not better than Altidore, so put him low on the depth chart for the Tigers, especially as he can only score PKs after October (see Wigan Athletic 2008-2009)
- Sol Campbell (D) (FA –> Arsenal): Long past it, unlikely to see much of the pitch, though probably a decent character veteran signing. Had been playing in League 2.
We’ve still got around a third of the window to go, but it has been a very quiet January, and all signs point to it remaining just that.
Michael DiAmore is currently a play-by-play and color commentator for the Athletics Dept. of Stevens Institute of Technology, where he is a Computer Engineering major and freelance sportswriter. He can be contacted via e-mail at MichaelJDiAmore@gmail.com.
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