ITS A MERRY-GO-ROUND!
Aubameyang, Giroud, Batshuayi, Alexis Sanchez and Mkhitaryan
As the January transfer window drew to a close, Dortmund, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all came together and decided to let go of a personnel and take personnel that were surplus to requirements
Arsenal lost Sanchez and Giroud, but gained Mkhitaryan from United.
Chelsea lost Batshuayi, but received Giroud from Arsenal
Manchester United let go of Mkhitaryan and received Alexis Sanchez
Borussia Dortmund received Batshuayi from Chelsea and let Mkhitaryan go to Arsenal
So who won and who lost?
Who got a bargain and who got a lemon?
For me, I think everybody got a good deal, considering where the teams are at the moment and what they are trying to achieve
Dortmund have gone from the glory day and into a phase of rebuilding. They picked up Batshuayi on loan but let Aubameyang leave for Arsenal. Aubameyang was not prepared to stay: there have been constant rumours of a move since last season and it’s funny that it’s at Arsenal he eventually ended up. My only question though is, why were there not many top European clubs after him?
Chelsea got Giroud for 18 months, which means he is in his final year after the World Cup this summer. Is it a case of just a good 2nd fiddle until the summer or a case of ‘let’s just give Conte this one so he stops complaining and we would get rid of him in the summer’ because remember, Batshuayi is only on loan at Dortmund.
United got a fantastic deal with Sanchez, but I also question letting Mkhitaryan leave. Why couldn’t they pay for Sanchez and keep Mkhitaryan? (is till feel we haven’t seen the best of him)
Maybe I’m wrong, but I am a massive fan of Mkhitaryan and I think Jose should have kept him.
Arsenal got Mkhitaryan and Aubemayang, not too bad I think, but I worry about their defence and question whether those signings are not ‘just similar players’ added unto the team. Wenger should have in my opinion, shored up his defence but I must confess he played a good poker game with Sanchez: he knew he would lose him anyway, so it was best to not let him go without getting a Mkhitaryan.
In all, the top six teams all went into the market, with Liverpool adding. Right
APPLAUD THE REFEREES WHEN THEY GET IT RIGHT
It takes guts to give two penalties against a home team in one game. Then when you consider the home team is Liverpool, plus you add to it the importance of the points being fought for by the two teams: champions league football and big league revenues, you’ll have to give a big thumbs up to Jonathan Moss and his officials.
We are quick to criticise match officials when they get it wrong, but I think when they get it right, we have to give them all the compliments.
Liverpool vs Tottenham on Sunday is a game we won’t forget in a long time, and thankfully for all the right reasons, just because the referees got it right.
CONTE ON THE VERGE?
With latest developments at the bridge, are we witnessing the beginning of the end or would Chelsea stick with him to the end of the season at least?
With his latest comments after the Watford game, the bridge seems to be falling apart as the players show little emotion and passion on the pitch
Against Watford, even Conte was quiet and subdued, making many wonder whether he is not entirely fed up with England in general.
I think if he survives this season and take Chelsea to champions league, he would have exceeded expectations, based on his current realities. But knowing the Roman Lord, anything can happen, anytime, so don’t take a break on this one, it’s squeaky bum time at the bridge