Association Football

The English transfer window closed a day after many of the European countries this year and the big news is that there was very little news – especially from the big 4 clubs. I guess there was finally some evidence that football is not immune to last fall’s near financial meltdown.

Of the big four, Chelsea was the one squad that looked the most complete and had little to do. However, the others needed some help, in some cases badly. Liverpool needs a striker – they have no back up for Torres and Gerrard. Man United need help in the midfield – a Van Der Vaart would have been perfect for them. Arsenal probably need a striker and were pursuing Chamakh of Bordeaux (West Ham were also in pursuit). He looks like a decent player, but it doesn’t look like the deal came off.

The most action on the day came from Spurs, Villa, and Everton – although less than some had expected. Spurs signing Niko Kranjcar looks like the steal of the transfer window, especially at the rumored fee of under 3 mil pounds. Spurs now have neatly replaced there injured left sided Croatian playmaker, with the guy that actually plays there for Croatia. Villa and Everton both bolstered there defense with the signing of James Collins from West Ham and Jhonny Heitinger respectively.

From an American perspective, this last week had more impact on players looking to make the world cup squad rather than on our starting 11, since most of the big moves – Gooch, Jozy, Davies – have already gone down. Things seem to have gone all right with one big exception: Damarcus Beasley. While a starting 11 is starting to take shape, the U.S. MNT needs depth. Since Beasley is the only experienced winger we have it would be a big boost if could regain his form. To do so he has to get playing time and with Rangers signing another winger from PSG – Beasley is done in Scotland. It would be a disaster for him if he is stuck in Glasgow until January with no prospect of playing time.

Freddy Adu’s loan to another smaller Portuguese club is brilliant. The league is solid and it plays the type of football that Adu is suited for. If he plays a full year in Portugal he should grow as a player and make the world cup squad. Those that have given up on him should be slapped – the kid is just 20. Hopefully, he plays now as if he has something prove.

Hull City’s quiet day. It looks like Hull’s premier league future will rest on Jozy’s shoulders. Phil Brown had talked a lot about needing to add another striker and they were in pursuit of a number of players, but it looks like after Benjani fell through there was nothing left. The sale of defender Michael Turner for 12 mil pounds looks like good business, but unfortunately for them it seems they didn’t have the time to spend it. [Update: it appears they added defender Ibrahima Sonko]

No word on Heath Pearce yet. But we need some options at left back options so the fact that he is currently clubless is not good.

Update: Spurs just loaned their third keeper, David Button, back to a league 2 side. This doesn’t make sense unless they signed someone else. Gomes was reportedly out for at least a month. So that would leave one fit keeper on the squad? But word remains that there was no deal for David James…hmm…

Update: Villa have signed Richard Dunne from Man City confirm the Guardian.

Update: Spurs have yet to officially announce the sale of Kevin Prince Boateng to Pompey. Pompey have announced it – but with it appearing that Spurs have failed to sign a back up holding midfielder – could it be that this deal actually fell through? The rumor of Stephen Appiah to Spurs also popped to the surface again – it’s amazing he still has no club.

Filed under: Premier League, Transfers, Yanks Abroad |