Transfer Talk: Some Final Thoughts

By: Bob | February 1st, 2007

I’ve spent the past month writing about the rumors, speculation and moves that make the winter transfer window the joy that it is. Now that the window is closed until summer, here are some things I take away from a January filled with transfer fun.

1. The winter transfer window is overrated

It might not come as much of a surprise to those who have followed the winter transfer action the past few years to see that there are a lot of reports of big name players being shipped around, but very few actual transfers involving big name players. In many ways I think of the winter period as being a prelude for the summer where the action really takes place. This time around we heard rumors of Frank Lampard heading to Italy, Cristiano Ronaldo going to Spain, Owen Hargreaves going to Manchester United and on and on. These are all players to keep an eye on this summer when the clubs that can afford the stars reshuffle their decks.

2. The top clubs didn’t do much

If you look at the top clubs in the various European leagues you’ll see that very few of them made any moves at all. There is a reason why Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona sat back and let the other teams throw their money around. If you want someone good you have to pay a premium to buy them from another club midway through the season. The clubs that have had success don’t need to spend outrageous money at this point in the season. They are already good and bringing on additional talent might not make a difference at this point in time.

3. The lower divisions and bubble teams are active

The crazy amounts of money that teams in the English Premiership and other top leagues can earn makes it all that much more tempting for lower level teams to shoot their wads to reach the promised land. For example, spending this January was down £10m this year in the Premiership from last year but spending was way up in the Coca-Cola Championship. Teams on the bubble are willing to go for broke in the hope that they will cash in later with a big payday.

4. Real Madrid is repositioning themselves

In the summer transfer window you’ll often see a domino effect with player signings. Once a club signs a big name and a market value is set, a bunch of big names will sign with other clubs. Real Madrid often set the tone with this. We saw in January that the club has opted to unload its aging stars – David Beckham and Ronaldo – and to bring in talented youngsters like Fernando Gago, Gonzalo Higuain and Marcelo. They are building for the future and don’t be surprised if they do so more repositioning this summer.

5. The lesser leagues are still not a player

After Beckham agreed to play with the LA Galaxy there were a number of reports that other superstars would head to the green moneyed pastures of the United States. That didn’t turn out to be the case at all. Players like Edgar David opted to go to Ajax instead of FC Dallas. He’ll still likely make more money and play at a higher level of competition. Luis Figo is the exception here after taking the money to play in Saudi Arabia, but the notion that big name players at the tail end of their careers will end up in MLS, the Middle East and Japan is still up in the air.

6. Everyone loves the kids

Some of the fiercest bidding and speculation involved players barely old enough to shave. Southampton’s 17-year-old defender Gareth Bale became the transfer darling in England but stayed with his club despite talks of outrageous transfer fees. Argentine teen Gonzalo Higuain was the affection of many before signing his life over to Real Madrid. Clubs appeared to be much more willing to spend money on speculative youngsters than they were to spend it on known players who command more than they are probably worth.

7. South America remains a fervent breeding ground

The number of young players coming out of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and other South American hot spots is amazing. Teams from leagues from Macedonia to the Ivory Coast raided South America’s talent. The asking price from teams in South America remains relatively cheap so even teams in Europe without huge bankrolls can pick up a quality player or two.

8. Expect to read a lot of stories during the summer transfer period

The media love it, the fans dig it, clubs use it to bolster their image…the transfer talk might be overrated but it is here to stay and you can very well expect that without a World Cup this summer the transfer buzz will be more active than ever.

Here’s the 2007 winter transfer list.

Your thoughts on the silly season that was?