Like students remembering about their coursework, Prem clubs left everything to the last minute and then rushed around doing all that they could, wise or not.
Liverpool were short on time and in the money with Torres’ impending move, hence the swollen fee for Andy Carroll. Any regulars to these reports (there probably aren’t any) will know how much I love Carroll, but even I baulked. I honestly believe Newcastle pulled a huge figure out of the air thinking it would put Liverpool off; when they agreed, they simply couldn’t turn down that figure, even at such a late stage.
Steven Gerrard must feel like a jilted lover who’s lost his beau, Fernando’s pretty legs following his wandering eyes to the heady lights of London. For those that thought Torres was too loyal to leave Anfield, if he could leave Atletico, he could leave Liverpool.
All that aside, Suarez and Carroll are both good players; the latter is still somewhat unproven but is now under a far better striking tutor in Dalglish than Pardew. Carroll really has only six months of Premiership football under his belt, he should improve but that doesn’t stop it being a gamble.
Kenny is beginning to build a team. I would have perhaps consolidated; content with capturing Suarez and gone for the (currently injured) Geordie giant in the summer. But I’ll say this; at least Liverpool had a clear plan and carried it out.
Spurs, its safe to say, didn’t. “Just get me anyone!” came the cry, from an impatient Harry. Bids or enquiries were made for Forlan, Llorente, Rossi, Carroll, Aguero – no regular train of thought about a specific type of player, any striker would have done.
Rossi had signed a new contract with Villarreal less than a week ago. Is he really any better than Jermaine Defoe? For £30m? The sheer lack of logic began to border on the embarrassing as it became signing a striker because that’s what you do on deadline day.
People scoffed at Darren Bent going to Villa for £24m: two goals in two games so far, proven pedigree that could keep Villa more than safe this season.
Now with the window slammed shut, Newcastle need a striker and Kevin Nolan needs a babysitter.
There was barely any middle ground – either break £20m or get in a loan. The latter already look like good business; Sturridge, Robbie Keane, Andy Reid and Obafemi Martins could all prove to be shrewd business. Ominously though for the rest of the league, Wayne Rooney seems to have shed any sexual/monetary demons that were impeding his imperious ability.
In the shortest European roundup imaginable; Mark Peter Gertruda Andreas Van Bommel moved to AC Milan and promptly got sent off on his debut, Adebayor netted his first goal for Real Madrid, and Bayern teammates Arjen Robben and Tomas Muller got to grips with each other.
And on a final note, Gary Neville did the right thing retiring now; he’s been pretty rubbish recently and he used to be great. I never liked him, but he was very, very good.
Favourite thing this week: In Colombia the most dedicated fan of all time did this!
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