The best and worst transfer windows

The January transfer window concluded on Tuesday and it finished up with Enzo Fernandez joining Chelsea for a record fee by an English club – but have The Blues actually ‘done good business’? Or whatever that means. 

‘Winning the transfer window’ is a boring and social media birthed phrase that essentially pinpoints the fact off-field stories in football can overshadow the on-pitch stuff.

Despite that, it is always an interesting look to see who has come out of a transfer window with a squad that looks better or with incoming/outgoing transfers that appear smart… as ever, something like that might just seem it and then be blown out of the water within a few games, though.

BEST: Leeds United, Manchester United

Leeds United went into the January transfer window wanting three specific positions to be filled: left-footed centre-half versatile enough to play left-back, box-to-box dynamic central midfielder with the energy to match Jesse Marsch’s system and a striker to be more clinical with the incredible amount of chances they create but contrive to waste.

Max Wober joined from RB Salzburg early on in the month, Weston McKennie joined right at the end of the month and in the middle of the month they broke their club record on Georginio Rutter. It was a very successful window by the Yorkshire club.

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Their arch Roses rivals, Manchester United, didn’t spend a penny on a transfer fee but managed to boost their squad, too, in a quiet but efficient manner. Jack Butland came in to offer competition to David de Gea quickly after Martin Dubravka’s recall by Newcastle – nothing was dragged out about that replacement.

Christian Eriksen’s injury until the spring time was confirmed on deadline day and the Red Devils had him replaced promptly, too, with Marcel Sabitzer arriving on loan from Bayern Munich and arguably the smartest business of the month was done by United with Wout Weghorst arriving on loan. The Dutch international is a low risk move that will either by phased out or contribute something important to their link-up play. 

WORST: Chelsea, Everton

Chelsea have been hailed for their excellent negotiating skills after overspending on about 27 new players and not actually helping their squad. The Blues have signed some really, really, really good players but they have spent over half a billion this season with over £300 million in January.

🔝 Enzo Fernandez 'Best in Class' (Primeira Liga; 22/23):

💥 1270 short passes (1st)
💥 161 long passes (1st)
💥 184 passes into final third (1st)
💥 32 acc. corners (1st)
💥 27839 yards passing distance (1st)
💥 147 progressive passes (1st)
💥 5 assists (2nd)@AbsoluteChelsea pic.twitter.com/B2fRfYdDWX

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 1, 2023

Over half a billion should result in your squad having a striker, having a centre-half better than someone who turns 39 this year, a goalkeeper who hasn’t been dropped by the previous two Chelsea bosses and a central midfield with fewer than nine bodies, despite selling your most consistent midfield performer to your city rivals at the top of the league.

Everton tried and failed to sign over ten forwards on transfer deadline day and that rejection has continued a couple of days after with free agent Andre Ayew opting to join Nottingham Forest.

The Toffees have left the January transfer window sitting 19th in the table and were the only club not to sign a single player in the month – despite selling Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United a few days before the deadline.