It’s over! Jim White has once again packed away the garish yellow tie, and finally paused for breath – the January Transfer window has closed, and in the only manner it can. It has SLAMMED SHUT. Or has it? Was this the most underwhelming January window in recent memory, and who are the winners and losers across the Premier League? We’ll explore themes from around the league after another ‘breathless’ deadline day. Some spent big, club records were broken, whilst others scrambled around with loans the only option on the menu.

The Money League? Or is it?

Winners: Chelsea – Higuain x Morata x Hudson-Odoi

In a relatively sleepy transfer window, which saw the likes of Arsenal, Man City, Man United, Liverpool and Spurs all deciding against any permanent signings, it’s something of a thinker to decipher who the winners are. (Yes, there is life outside the top six).
However, Chelsea’s eventual ability to hang on to the outrageously promising Callum Hudson-Odoi from the trophy-laiden lands of Baveria and Bayern Munich, coupled with their loaning out of Alvaro Morata, and in of Gonzalo Higuain means they end what could have been a troublesome window in good shape.
In trading in Morata, who has looked disastrously timid in the Premier League (let’s not forget Chelsea spent £58m on him in summer 2017) for Higuain – a man who has scored 226 goals in Europe since his debut for Real Madrid in 2007, bettered only by four men – they should at least get a striker who wants the ball. This will of course also allow Eden Hazard, one of the league’s brightest stars, to be finally played back in his favoured position (Kante next, eh Sarri?). If Chelsea can reignite Higuain’s fire after a lackluster spell at AC Milan, and give Hudson-Odoi the game time he deserves they will be right in the mix for the top four…the all important top four.

Losers: Arsenal – no defence.
Arsenal’s glaring need for a complete revamp of their defence has never been clearer – Jesse Lingard’s moonwalk the latest in a long line of embarrassing goings-on on the corporate carpet at Emirates. And yet, Unai Emery’s only signing of the window? Denis Suarez. An attack-minded midfielder from Barcelona, on loan. Emery had earlier bemoaned the lack of funds available, and had stated that loans were his only option, but the lack of defensive reinforcements will surely be terminal for their top four hopes (that sacred top four again). Emery’s defence isn’t getting any younger, and they’re certainly not getting any better. Oh, for the good old days of Arsene Wenger’s reliable top four train.

Wildcard: Newcastle United – Miguel Almiron
“I’ve never really heard of him. It’s not a signing that makes you go ‘Oh wow, this is inspiring’. It may be a record signing but it’s not that stellar signing who you know is going to score goals. He is very much an unknown.” Said Danny Mills of the Paraguayan midfielder who offered up 23 goal contributions in 32 games, oh and an MLS Cup, for Atalanta United in 2018.
Almiron’s cultured left foot (has a right foot ever been cultured?!) will be a welcome addition to a Newcastle attack that has laboured for goals this season – only Championship-bound Huddersfield have scored less. Solomon Rondon will, if he is capable, be beaming from ear to ear somewhere.
The potential impact on the future of Rafa Benitez is a further potential explanation for the breaking of a 13-year club transfer record – keep Benitez happy and Newcastle will be okay.

Whilst not the roller-coaster of BREAKING NEWS headlines and flashing lights that Sky Sports crave, there have been some moments to treasure – Martial’s new contract and United’s revival under Ole Solskjaer has been pleasing, the return of podcasting superstar Peter Crouch to the Premier League leads the way in a nostalgic window also containing Premier League throwbacks from Fulham (Ryan Babel) and West Ham (Samir Nasri).
Until next year, that was the January window.