Eric Djemba-Djemba: The Gold Standard of Awful January Signings
Buying players in January is a tricky proposition; most teams are buying out of desperation (either fighting relegation or eager to maintain a title push), and such panic leads to transfers like paying 12m for Afonso Alves or 8m for Jean-Alain Boumsong.
The hilarity of purchasing in the winter makes for easy newspaper articles, so it’s no wonder that teams do less and less in January.
However, there have been a few deals, beyond the Patrick Vieira-to-City hilarity and the Donovan-to-Everton loan.
Let’s break them down.
Sandro, CDM – Internacional to Tottenham Hotspur, 6m
This deal isn’t finalized yet (though the two sides have agreed to personal terms), but the transfer is imminent and looks like a decent bit of business by ‘Arry. Sandro’s a rough-and-tumble defensive midfielder in the same vein as Wilson Palacios, and will provide extra options for Spurs in the middle of the park. If Palacios/Huddlestone/Jenas aren’t getting it done, there’s Sandro off the bench, and vice versa, giving the side sufficient depth.
However, there are a few things threatening the move: Sandro’s solitary cap for Brazil means he’ll struggle to secure a work permit, but more than that, the Brazilian is embroiled in a complicated ownership situation that’s all too common in Brazil and Argentina. 70% of Sandro’s “economic rights” are owned by the club, while 30% is believed to be owned by unknown third parties. If anything, the ownership split will just need more money to seal the deal, as third-party rights will be lost if the midfielder leaves the country.
Maxi Rodriguez, RW/AM – Atletico Madrid to Liverpool, 1.5m
Liverpool in mild spending shocker! I know they’re broke, but there was juuust enough to bring in the out-of-favor Argentine and BFF of Javier Mascherano. At 29, one wonders how much speed and pace Rodriguez can still bring down the flanks, but honestly, when you factor in Liverpool’s wide struggles this season (Dirk Kuyt works so hard, yet is clearly not a wide player), it’s a low-risk signing that gives the Reds some sorely-needed “depth”. How bad can he be?
Michel, CM – Sporting de Gijon to Birmingham City, 3m
McLeish’s spending spree begins with the 24-year-old Spaniard, who played 138 games in Gijon’s midfield since breaking into the team in 2005/06 and won Gijon’s Player of the Year accolades during each of the last two seasons. Not bad for 3m, right? With approximately 40m to spend should they desire, Birmingham will not stop with Michel, though the dynamic midfielder will bring some much-needed flair to a team that’s thriving due to their formidable defense. When you consider that the current midfield is marshaled by guys like Lee Carsley, Lee Bowyer and Barry Ferguson — a trio all on the wrong side of 30 — I’d expect Michel’s contribution to be immediate.
Gary Caldwell, CB – Celtic to Wigan, 1m
Best of luck to the Scottish international, who never made it into the Newcastle First XI before heading north of the border to thrive at Hibernian and Celtic. He joins the leakiest team in the EPL (44 goals conceded in 19 games), which doesn’t exactly bode well. Caldwell came close to joining Middlesbrough but was lured at the last minute by the promise of top-flight soccer. Considering the direction the Latics are heading, one wonders if he made the right choice.
I realize I’m pretty biased here, but someone explain to me how the Veira move is ludicrous, yet the Sol Campbell move makes sense?
They’re both ridiculous, though Citeh have more than enough money to make a more sensible deal.
Because it’s new money hypocrisy. There were loads of people who thought Viera coming to Arsenal on a free last summer would have been a smart move, but as soon as a non-historical power makes a move for the same player, people get all uppity about it.
Plus Sol Campbell adds to the best attacking force in Christendom.
The poor cousins in Manchester actually expect Viera to play, and not for the reserves, that’s your difference. Who on Arsenal has won anything? Now they have a player in Campbell that won’t be rattled down the stretch runs for cups and the league….and by all counts’ll be a positive influence in the bootroom. He was already earning his stripes when most of his teammates were being birthed. Viera won’t have that kind of man-managing impact dealing with dressing room cancers like Robinho and Ade.
Summary: Campbell makes more sense.