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| Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez are two examples of players who excelled after arriving in the Premier League in January |
As the Gregorian calendar begins anew so too does the mass
hysteria which greets each and every Premier League club as fans and management
alike ponder who can improve the playing rosters of their beloved clubs. The January
transfer window is a time for clubs to evaluate their starts to the season,
determine who is pulling their weight and who isn’t, who has earned their money
and who will be deemed surplus to requirements, but most of all, it is a time
where fans and pundits argue endlessly as to who should be signed to fix that
problem area. Newspapers spurt out a seemingly uninterrupted stream of mostly
nonsensical rumours which help to further fuel speculation as to who will
arrive at and depart from Europe’s top clubs. As players do eventually join,
the question must be asked, who will succeed and who will fail?
The following players have all been linked in some capacity
to one of the Premier League’s 20 teams and all have the ability to become an
immediate success at whichever club they arrive.
Juan Mata
Chelsea’s player of the year for the past two consecutive
seasons has cut a forlorn figure on the many benches of grounds around the
Premier League. Mata has gone from one of the league’s most electric playmakers
to one of its most expensive seat-fillers in the space of less than a season. Simply
put, Jose Mourinho clearly failed to view a single Chelsea game in the previous
two seasons to returning to Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid. For if he had,
Mata would be occupying a spot atop the assist chart alongside Mesut Ozil
rather than a seat on the sidelines. There is no doubt that clubs such as
Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool would be monitoring Mata’s situation
at Chelsea, licking their lips at the thought of the Spaniard joining their
ranks in January. Rest assured, if a move for Mata materialises for any of
these clubs he will return to his devastating best and Mourinho will be left
ruing the day he let the diminutive world cup winning winger leave the books of
Chelsea.
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| Chelsea fans are well aware of what Mata can offer when given a bit of playing time. |
Tom Ince
Ex-Liverpool academy player Ince was heavily linked with a
return to Anfield in August but no move materialised. As a result, he continued
to ply his trade with Blackpool in the Championship, displaying the type of
skill, pace and determination which could make him a fruitful move for a
Premier League club in January. As of late, he has been linked with moves to
Swansea, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, the
majority of which is pure speculation on the part of tabloids aiming to coax
unsuspecting readers into believing drivel in order to boost sales. However, if
a move for Ince foes eventually come to fruition he could be money well spent
as his playing style is sure to contribute goals and/or assists for whomever
acquires his services.
Wilfried Zaha
When Zaha arrived at Manchester United at the beginning of
this season he was fresh off leading Crystal Palace to promotion from the
Championship and was considered by many as one of the brightest talents in
England. However, his opportunities with the Red Devils have been almost
non-existent and like Mata he has spent much of this season on bench, if even
picked for that honour by David Moyes. Zaha is the kind of player fans love and
opposition teams hate, a tricky winger with bags of pace who is not afraid to
take a player on. If sent out on loan by United he could make all the
difference for a side looking to avoid relegation. The perfect signing for a
side like Fulham or Crystal Palace who lack a cutting edge. If he does leave
United, the Premier League will soon take note of his immense talent.
That is the Rosey Wrap on the English stars who would
benefit from a January move,
Thanks for reading,
By Jake Rosengarten
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