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January transfer was relatively quiet. With the transfer
window shut, we take a look at EPL Clubs transfer activity and grade each team.
1. 1. Man City
– With a squad littered with top talent across all positions one wouldn’t
expect City to be involved in the winter transfer but I tend to think they have
two positions that needed to be addressed to propel them to another level,
goalkeeper and striker. Though a striker was signed, he won’t link up with them
until after the season. They have a squad good enough to go all the way and
defend their status as EPL champions but to advance further in the Champions
League, they would have done with a G.K and a Striker.
Grade: C+
2. 2. Liverpool – Like City, Liverpool has a great
squad with only shortcomings in the G.K position. The involvement of Salah and Mane
would have weakened their attack a little bit but the addition of Luis Diaz
amends for that. Overall a good transfer.
G Grade: B
3. 3. Chelsea – Probably the only team in EPL that
would have done without the transfer window as they have cover for virtually
all positions as evident by their activity. The only addition is the return of
Kennedy from his loan spell in Flamengo. Not sure how to grade them, to be
honest.
Grade: B+
4. 4. Man Utd. – Zero additions in the January transfer
window with two major exclusions, Martial and van de Beek. A leaky defense, a
blunt attack, and an inconsistent midfield are what they should have addressed in
the window but they went for the massive wage bill. On paper, United has a squad
capable to sustain the top four race, but in reality, they will need miracles
consistently to make it there. Arguably the worst performers in the winter
transfer.
Grade: D-
5. 5. West Ham – Another quiet club in the last window,
maybe because they feel they are punching above their weight or due to lack of
ambition, I can’t make up the reason. Generally, they have an okay squad to
sustain the top four race but they could have done with an addition or two
especially in defense.
Grade: B
6. 6. Arsenal – Contenders for the worst performers in
the transfer window with misplaced priorities leading to reduction of the wage bill
and depletion of the squad rather than mend their blunt attack, inconsistent
midfield, and a clueless manager. To highlight this, Arsenal’s remaining
strikers might both be leaving at the end of the season for free. Maybe they
have finally accepted their status as a mid-table club but we are in denial,
still ranking them among the elite in EPL.
Grade: D-
7. 7. Tottenham – One of my best performers in the
window though they had more exits than incomings, but of note, the exits,
Ndombele, Bryan Gil, and Lo Celso, were mainly inconsistent players plagued with
recurrent injuries. Dele Alli on the other hand seemed to have fallen out with
the hierarchy. Their two major additions, Kulusevski and Bentacur, are exciting
talents who will address issues concerning their midfield. A backup for Kane
would have made it a perfect window.
Grade: A
8. 8.
Wolves – Another club contented with their
achievement so far that they could allow one of their most feared attackers, Adama Traore, leave. A bad transfer window for a team that should be fighting for one of the
European competition places.
Grade: C-
9. 9. Brighton – Needing only ten points to secure
safety, Brighton risked on cheap unknown players. Only time will tell if it was
the best decision.
Grade: B-
10. 10.
Leicester – Seem to have lost their way in the
recent past and proved that with their silence in the January window where they
could have been more proactive to facilitate their movement up the table.
Grade: C-
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