Deadline day of transfer window lacks drama

 


LONDON: The last-minute shopping spree often associated with the closing of the January transfer window failed to materialise as Europe's top clubs largely kept their powder dry.

Even in England, where the 20 Premier League can usually be relied upon to splash some of the cash they earn from a mega TV deal, trading was unusually light, leaving presenters of Sky Sports News' much-hyped deadline day coverage desperately searching for something to talk about.

Leaders Chelsea spent 35 million euros (US$39.7 million) to bring Colombian Juan Cuadrado to Stamford Bridge, recouping most of that by selling Andre Schuerrle to Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, but Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal did no significant late business.

English champions City signed Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony from Swansea City last month for 25 million pounds (US$37.6 million) while United's only arrival of note was former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes on a free transfer.

While a few late deals could push the total January spend in the Premier League past the 100 million pounds mark, the head-spinning transfer frenzy, for now at least, appears to have been replaced by a calmer, more measured approach.

UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules have made it less likely that clubs sign players without first off-loading some of their squad, stalling the usual merry-go-round.

Transfers of players from the Premier League to other European leagues is also hindered by the huge salaries.

The reluctance of club managers to part with players at such a delicate phase of the season has also become an increasing factor in the mid-season window.

While Premier League spending this season is running at around 900 million pounds, the vast majority of that dates back to pre-season when squads were being assembled.

Liverpool, chasing a top-four finish in the Premier League, failed to add to their squad in January, while Arsenal limited their activity to Legia Warsaw youngster Krystian Bielik and Gabriel from Villarreal.

Loan deals such as former England winger Aaron Lennon joining Everton from Tottenham Hotspur and high-flying Southampton taking Serbia's Filip Djuricic from Benfica and Eljero Elia from Werder Bremen caught the eye.

However, managers of the clubs battling against relegation were left frustrated in their attempts to strengthen.

None more so than Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp, one of England's most adept deadline day dealers.

Apart from Mauro Zarate from West Ham United, Redknapp failed to bolster QPR's squad, having tried and failed with a late attempt to sign striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Tottenham.

Speaking to the BBC, former Hull City chairman Paul Duffen explained the lack of January activity.

"Getting players out in the market, there are problems such as liquidity. Clubs don't have it, apart from Chelsea today," he said. "There is the danger in January for a player that if it goes wrong, it could harm their career.

"They could find they go on-loan at a club who get relegated and end up in a worse situation than they were."--REUTERS

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen ends Jerez pre-season test on top

Kimi Raikkonen completed a successful first pre-season test for Ferrari by setting the pace on the final day at Spain's Jerez track.

It is the third time in four days a Ferrari has been fastest, as the teams reached one-third distance in their preparations for the 2015 season.

Sauber's Marcus Ericsson was second ahead of Lewis Hamilton, whose Mercedes team completed by far the most mileage.

McLaren had another tough day, still struggling with their new Honda engine.

Jenson Button did only 35 laps and was 6.8 seconds off the pace as he was hit initially by a problem with oil levels and then was forced to abandon the day's running following a fuel-pump failure.

McLaren posted 79 laps over four days - compared to more than 500 by Mercedes. But director of engineering Matt Morris insisted the team had had a positive test as they bedded in their relationship with Honda.


"We have had a number of problems," Morris said. "We have had some operational issues - all of us working together as a team for the first time - things you take for granted when you have been with an engine supplier for many years.

 "You drop the ball sometimes, like saying getting oil levels wrong and all these sorts of things. We have had a few issues like that.

"We have also had some minor electrical issues, which resulted in a lot of downtime but have actually been relatively easy to fix.

"The main thing is that we have not been burning bodywork or blowing up engines.

"I am pretty happy that we are going to come out of this test with no major issues to resolve."

Hamilton had a harmless spin at the chicane in the morning but still managed 117 laps as Mercedes completed an impressive overall distance of 1,419 miles in four days.

Hamilton told his team over the car radio: "Well done, guys. Great first week back."

On his spin he said: "It was a bit damp, I was the first on slicks, so I just had a spin.

"But reliability has been pretty special this week. It's one of our highest weeks of mileage.

"The car feels very similar to last year. It's very difficult to pick out any differences, really."

Lotus also had an encouraging final day as they completed their first test with a Mercedes engine, after switching from Renault last year.