Written by Mean Lean on Tuesday, 01 February 2011 17:26
I thought it was supposed to be a quiet transfer window?
There was no more money in the game and it was unlikely that any big deals would be happening. Perhaps a few loan deals here and there but nothing too drastic.
Step forward Roman Abramovich who had pretty much chucked £50 million pounds into the ring for a Fernando and then a last minute frenzy erupted.
Torres a world class striker on his day, great finisher and superb leader of the line but is injury prone and has been out of form for a little while now. So Drobga's replacement is on the way, does this mean that Lampard, Maloulda, Terry and co will also be replaced by Roman's millions? Can he afford to rebuild Chelsea once more? That is a question for another time I suppose.
£50 million is crazy money but I guess when you have that much money to throw around then you do not need to think about injury history, development scope or resale value.
So what about Liverpool FC? Who have been in the shit for spending far too much money under Rafa Benitez. A good chance to save the cash for the summer, when more targets come available and the price comes down. A chance to invest well around the squad with at least four players young enoughg to improve and add real quality all over the pitch. Surely they have learnt from previous mismanagement and they can now restructure their transfer policy. No? Well it appears that only Arsenal fans are used to intelligent financial management, but this cannot be said for many other clubs in the Premier League.
Instead they spend £35 million on bloody Andy Carroll who was playing in the Championship last season. The world has truly gone mad?
I can imagine the frantic commotion inside Liverpool when it became apparent that Torres was going to push for a move away from Liverpool.
Kenny: 'Quick! Who should be buy as a replacement? Ronaldo?'
Liverpool board member: 'No, don't be silly we cannot afford him, what about Messi?'
Kenny: 'Well if we can't sign Ronaldo then how are we going to sign Messi? Quick time is ticking'
Liverpool board member: 'How about an English striker?'
Kenny: 'Who is that long haired dude at Newcastle, he was in the Sun this morning'
Liverpool board member: 'Shit yeah! Quick lodge a £50 million bid for him'
Kenny: 'Nah, lets be clever here, let us start at £35 million and go up to £50 mil'
Liverpool board member: 'We are gonna be back in business here!'
It is not difficult to see why a club like Liverpool have wasted so much money on players who have utterly flopped. Bringing in a collection of four players during a transfer window, keeping one then selling the other three for a cut price the following year when they do not produce. Repeat until in the red.
Why is it that more often than not, a player signed by Wenger who is bought to go into the first team, seems to fit into the team like they have been there for years? Look at the recent purchases of Sagna, Nasri, Chamakh, Koscielny and Arshavin (before losing form) they have slotted into our way of playing and are perfectly suited to our football.
This is because we have players looked at all around the world by our scouts, they will watch a player repeatedly over and over again. Information is collected about said players character, his attitude, his personality.
Often these are players that are out of the spotlight, out of the radar and usually away from Newcastle pubs and nightclubs and they usually come with a price tag, a fraction of the price of hyped up English from the Premier League.
So why didn't Arsene Wenger buy a center back during the window?
Perhaps the defenders that he and his scouting team have been looking at are not available during mid season, perhaps their clubs wanted too much money for those players.
So just because Gary Cahill has been thrown out there by the media, doesn't mean that Wenger is trying to buy him. Cahill may only tick three of ten boxes. Christopher Samba may only tick the giant strong man box but the technical ball control box remains unchecked along with all types of criteria that we are none the wiser.
I find it quite amusing that certain fans are calling for a signing of one particular player only to be frustrated when that player doesn't turn up come the close of the window. Even though we have absolutely no idea of what players are being watched and followed.
You have probably already seen the stat but pretty much our whole team cost the same amount as Fernando Torres. Is there a manager in world football (and I do not use that term lightly) who could create a side as talented with scope to improve as our lads for as little money. Those who are spitting mad having to 'deal' with Wenger in charge of our great club should take a moment to attempt to answer that question.
Are we in trouble if we get a few injuries at center back? Of course we are. Especially if those injuries are serious. But does this only apply to Arsenal Football Club? What happens if Chelsea lose John Terry and Alex? A new defender from another league who hasn't played a minute of football in the English game and then a converted full back? What about the Mancs who have such an impressive defensive record this season, one that we could only dream of *ahem*
Ferdinand and Vidic get crocked, who do you wanna call? Well it may as well be Ghostbusters because I would have just about the same faith in them than I would Jonny Evans and a player who was a Fulham reserve last season.
Right, I wanted to talk about Koscielny's recent comments about his partnership with Djourou but I have run out of time. He knows I love them both so I am sure he won't mind me skipping that.
Whist Arsenal were quiet in the transfer window, Arsenal have been busy behind the scenes making last minute additions to the squad. I would like to introduce you to Wenger Boy who has already had a great response to his first piece of writing today which you can catch here.
Right, off to do some pre match preparation of munching and feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement before the game tonight.
Back tomorrow.
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