Welcome to Liverpool
The balls have fallen, the fireworks have burned out, the hangovers have cleared, and the work has resumed. The start of the new year means the January transfer window has opened, moving the talent Premier League managers hope will achieve the goals they have set for their clubs.
It provides an opportunity for clubs to move those they believe aren't doing their jobs or causing strain among the players. The idea behind that is two-fold: such players may bring club morale into decline and another club may provide a fresh start for them.
Potential transferring players face questions within themselves: attachments to a club sometimes are hard to break, and concerns over playing time are a key issue. Ask Scott Sinclair about the latter; he has become almost irrelevant since he moved to Manchester City from Swansea during the summer.
Money also is a factor during transfer season: is an owner able, or willing, to spend for quality talent or put up just enough to maintain the status quo? On the other side of the ledger, they face inquiries about their players from other clubs; when funds are tight, offers may be hard to refuse even if they could affect the on-the-field performance during the second half of the season.
We have placed ourselves in the comfy chair of the owner's office, in front of the microphones at the press conference, as we tell fans of each EPL club what we believe their beloved sides should seek during the January transfer window.
The Ox
Arsenal — "We intend to seek a strong midfielder, one who can stay healthy and move the ball, to keep us in Europe. Oh, and we will no longer sell top players to our chief rivals."
Think about what the season could have been with Robin Van Persie. True, his contract would have been over after the season, and he had grown disillusioned with the lack of trophies, but rather than attempting to keep him with mega-money, they sent him — to Manchester United, where he's only tallied 16 league goals so far. Oops.
Arsenal's midfield is its weak spot. Cesc Fabregas has not played much, Tomas Rosicky has not been noticeable, and if it wasn't for Jack Wilshire's fine play, the Gunners' midfield would have bordered on non-existent.
Aston Villa — "We intend to pick up some experienced players. We also want to find some defenders so we can stop giving away goals like they were Christmas presents."
As if allowing eight goals to Chelsea during a December match wasn't bad enough, a 3-1 loss to League Two Bradford City in a League Cup semifinal first-leg may have brought a painful reality to Villa Park: the Championship may come calling.
Paul Lambert decided to go with a younger lineup when he became Villa's manager during the summer. While using younger players often requires patience on the part of fans, it can be deadly in the Premier League, where Villa sits one point above the relegation zone. Worse, one of its top players, striker Darren Bent, may be headed out during the January transfer window.
Fast Start
Chelsea — "We intend to look for a proven goal scorer ... ah, we did that. Well, we resolve to sign some of our key players now. Oh, and get some love for Rafa."
Seven months ago, Chelsea was the toast of European soccer as Champions League titlists. Since then, however, the Blues sit in a CL fourth-place position — which may be its only chance at European qualification since it fell into the Europa League during the fall and could be bounced from the League Cup by Swansea (lost first semifinal leg 2-0 at Stamford Bridge). The FA Cup? Always a crapshoot.
Chelsea made a jump on everyone in January by getting goal-scorer Demba Ba from Newcastle, and he may make fans turn more against on-and-off Fernando Torres. While it took Torres 722 minutes to score his first Chelsea goal, Ba needed just 35 minutes to score his first for the club, and 26 more for his second, on Saturday. Torres cost Chelsea £50 million, Ba just £7.5 million.
Next on the agenda: contracts with several key older players. Frank Lampard likely will be gone after the season as it appears the club will not offer a new contract. The club is looking to sign John Terry and Joe Cole, but Cole has questioned the club's policy of offering over-30 players one-year pacts.
Everton — "We plan to spend some money to support our current talent, and hold on to our key players, to finally reach the Champions League."
David Moyes is the Premier League's bridesmaid. For the last six seasons Everton has finished between fifth and eighth, but has not been to European competition in three seasons. The answer is simple: while other clubs in the north have spent their way to Europe, Everton has not.
The talent is there: Phil Jagielka in the back, Tim Howard in goal, Marouane Fellaini in the middle. What Everton needs is another strong midfielder or defender to give it the necessary boost. Everton's close: just two points from fourth place.
Liverpool's Future
Fulham — "We resolve to bring in at least one big name to help us move up the table."
Getting Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov during the summer were key signings for Fulham, especially since Berbatov spurned offers from several Italian clubs to join his former Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol. But the Cottagers sit in 13th place and could use some help.
One area that could get a huge boost immediately would be if the rumors are correct and Fulham is the favorite to sign 19-year-old England international Jack Butland from Birmingham. Entering his third season of Football League first-team experience, the 6-foot-5 Butland could pay dividends on the spot. If that occurs, adding a good defender to the lineup should help Fulham into the top 10.
Liverpool — "We intend to strengthen our defense and let our young players bloom. Oh, and to keep Luis Suarez from falling to the ground so often."
The defensive part hasn't occurred for Liverpool, but the £12 million signing of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea paid off quickly as he needed just seven minutes for his first goal Sunday in an FA Cup tie against Mansfield. That can only help boost an offense led by Suarez, who has is second in the EPL with 15 goals. Liverpool, however, will need to find supporting defenders if it plans to move above its current eighth-place position.
As for the youth, Raheem Sterling, Jonjo Shelvey and Suso have had the opportunity to develop — and it appears it is paying off and could for years as Shelvey, the oldest, will turn 20 in late February.
Well Worth the Price
Manchester City —"We intend to focus on the Champions League ... er, Europa ... er, Premier League."
We couldn't help with this line, because for all the money that was spent for last season's Premier League title, City not only did not qualify for the CL knockout stage, it finished fourth in its group and did not even drop into the Europa League.
City appears to have no problems on defense, where the back line and keeper Joe Hart have allowed just 19 league goals, a league low with Chelsea. It could use a dominant striker; goal-scoring is spread through the lineup with Edin Dzeko leading the club with just nine of its 41 goals. If it expects to make a charge at Manchester United for a second consecutive season (City's seven points behind the leaders), a little more offensive pop could help.
Manchester United — "We resolve to stop playing catch-up after conceding early goals."
Forget Robin Van Persie's 16 goals (though Arsenal fans may not); the offense is fine. When United had the league championship torn from its clutches on City's final kick of the season, it allowed 33 goals during the season. It has allowed 28 already this season, including three in a win against relegation-fighting Reading, a situation that brought concern to Sir Alex Ferguson.
With a schedule potentially packed with several months of Champions League and FA Cup matches, defensive reinforcements may be a blessing.
Pushing Hopes
Newcastle — "Europa's done, so we resolve to bring in players who will help us reach mid-table."
Oh, how Newcastle has fallen. The Magpies qualified for the Europa League last season, but thanks to a horrible start they became the Premier League's biggest underachievers in 15th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Newcastle needs some strong players to join the lineup. It started last week when it brought in Mathieu Debauchy from Lille to boost its defense; now an offensive replacement for Demba Ba, who went to Chelsea for £7.5 million, is needed.
Norwich City — "We want to bring in one or two experienced players to help us."
When manager Chris Hughton came in to replace the Swansea-bound Michael Laudrup, he was able to bring in some decent transfers which paid off with a 10-match unbeaten run that included wins over Arsenal and Manchester United. Life has become thin, though, as Norwich has moved into 2013 in the midst of a four-match losing streak that has placed it 12th.
That streak has coincided with what appears to have become a serious hamstring injury to striker Grant Holt, so, if the money is there, the Canaries are in a massive need for someone up front. At least one more defender is necessary to help a defense that has allowed more than 1 1/2 goals a match.
Reading's Savior?
Queens Park Rangers — "We resolve to right this wretched skip, get rid of some dead wood, because 'Q-P-R Staying Up!'"
Harry Redknapp will earn £1 million for the first four months of his 3-year contract at QPR, plus a £1 million bonus if he works some magic and keeps The Hoops in the Premier League. Given what he's endured already with the last-place team — with one player refusing to sit on the bench for a match and Redknapp calling out some of the higher-paid players, this will be the toughest assignment of his career.
Part of the problem is that owner Tony Fernandes and former manager Mark Hughes did a complete rebuild of the roster during the summer, but it included past-their-prime players brought in on free transfers. Most of the ones for which they paid transfer fees haven't pulled their weights.
Unless things change, it appears there will be very little money available for Redknapp during January. This was shown when the club brought in Tal Ben Haim, a 30-year-old defender who played for Hapoel Tel Aviv earlier this season and Portsmouth last season. This also means moving those who haven't performed well or played, such as 34-year-old midfielder Kieran Dyer, who was restricted to eight matches due to injury. The work will have to be done in-house.
Reading — "We intend to upgrade our defense and pick up points where we would have lost them before."
Eight months ago, the Madejski Stadium pitch fill with pitch invaders after Reading won the Championship and automatic promotion into the Premier League. Now it sits in 19th, on goal differential, above QPR. Reading's woes may come down to one statistic: the Royals have lost seven one-goal decisions. Turn them into draws and they're sitting around 15th.
In an attempt to prevent the goals, Reading signed Sporting Lisbon captain Daniel Carrico. He had good reviews in Portugal; the question is can the 24-year-old make his teammates play above the Championship level at which they still appear to play.
Stoke Needs More
Southampton — "We aim to play with a level of consistency that will permit us to remain in the Premier League."
The Saints could use one or two defenders to bolster its back line; even if that doesn't occur, they may have the ability, with what they now have, to scrape together enough points to remain in the league next season. Southampton wins against clubs around them, but they may need to steal points against top-6 clubs to ensure its safety.
Stoke — "We will continue with what has brought us success."
When the season began, no one could have envisioned Stoke being third in the league in goals conceded (20). Some fans claim it's because of its alleged rough style of play (the Potters lead with 45 yellow and three red cards), but a back line that prevents shots has led to 11 draws.
Could manager Tony Pulis use a striker? Probably; Jonathan Walters, Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones have totaled 12 of Stoke's near-league-bottom 21 goals.
Grand Larceny
Sunderland — "We resolve to find a way to push for a mid-table finish."
It has been a very slow start offensively for Sunderland, which has scored just 21 goals. That works for a club with a defense like Stoke City, but Sunderland must look up front, especially since a knee injury to captain and midfielder Lee Cattermole will have him out through at least the end of January. There has been little news, however, about potential transfers.
As long as Sunderland can find a scorer, the personnel to at least avoid relegation (14th, four points above drop zone) is there. The plan could be to achieve that and work during the summer to strength the club.
Swansea — "We intend to at least preserve our top-10 placement, but Europe would be nice."
Michael Laudrup, who took over as the Swans' manager after Brendan Rodgers went to Liverpool, has continued the ball-control style, using younger players, which has brought mid-table success since Swansea joined the Premier League. During this transfer window, however, it may be time to bring in some older talent especially if it heads to the Europa League by winning the League Cup. It defeated Chelsea, 2-0, this week in their first-leg semifinal at Stamford Bridge.
Swansea may have clinched the "Grand Theft Award" early in the summer transfer period when it signed Michu; all he's done for just £2 million is score 13 league goals. The problem is that the rest of the club has scored just 11. On defense, the keeper pair of Michael Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel have had to make a league-leading 86 saves, which means the defense allows too many attempts. So we're looking at an experienced striker or attacking midfielder and one defender.
Aiming for Europe?
Tottenham Hotspur — "We aim to spend a little more money to make sure no one steals our Champions League invitation."
Of course, this is predicated on Tottenham actually qualifying by staying in the top four (currently third). Given it finished fourth last season, and had its ticket ripped away when Chelsea won the CL championship, some insurance would be in order.
While he was brought into the lineup slowly by new manager Andre Villas-Boas, the acquisition of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris near the final bell of the transfer window has become a stroke of genius. Lloris has recorded eight wins and a draw in 11 matches. Jan Vertoghen, another incoming transfer, has been stellar for a defense hit by injuries, and Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe have been there usual class selves upfield.
While the remainder of the defense has been adequate, Tottenham should consider spending some pounds on a experienced defender if it plans to join the big boys in Europe next season.
Wigan — "We resolve to bring in players who can help us, once again, save ourselves."
It seems like an annual ritual: Wigan struggles through about two-thirds of the season, then hits a hot streak to keep itself in the Premier League. They won seven of its last nine matches, including a famous victory over Manchester United, to avoid relegation last season.
Wigan, 18th in the league, needs help on both sides if it expects a repeat performance. They started the job early by signing striker Roger Espinosa from Sporting Kansas City and receiving 18-year-old striker Angelo Henriquez on loan from Manchester United. The Chilean already has reached full international status thanks to his ability to score.
When a club is averaging nearly two goals allowed a match, however, defensive reinforcements are mandated. There doesn't seem to be anything on the radar so far, but there still is time for searching.
Somehow, Some Way ...
West Bromwich Albion — "We resolve to do what it takes to get us into European competition."
If one wants an underdog story of the season, go to The Hawthorns as West Bromwich, which finished 10th but many, many points from the European-bound clubs, aim to reach UEFA competition for the first time since 1996.
New manager Steve Clarke made some early transfer moves which striker Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea and midfielder Claudio Yakob on a free transfer. There was worry Lukaku would be recalled, but that will not occur. A key player to its surprise start, striker Zoltan Gera, will be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL; West Bromwich must search for a replacement if it intends to move up from seventh place. The defense have been good, but there's always room for reinforcements; this should be the next move.
West Ham United — "We intend to stop playing sloppy ball and find the money to secure our survival in the league."
A late goal against Blackpool in the Championship playoff final brought Sam Allardyce's club back into the Premier League at the first call after relegation. West Ham is 11th, but all it takes is one bad run to wipe out an 8-point margin with the relegation zone.
The defense has been excellent, with just 24 goals allowed, but the offense remains challenged. To combat this, Allardyce opened January by bringing in two EPL-experienced players: midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer from Liverpool and striker Marouane Chamakh on loan from Arsenal. With these moves, spending money may not become an issue.
