With the January transfer window now over, we can look back at some of the key deals and assess which of Europe’s biggest clubs have performed best. Chelsea were by far the busiest and largest, while Arsenal and Bayern Munich prioritized quality over quantity in their businesses. Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City had questionable windows, while Weston McKennie was the most prominent USMNT star when he joined Leeds United. Chelsea and Benfica agreed late in the day on a deal for Enzo Fernandez which was the blockbuster deadline day move but there were some who made the difference for some of these teams like Bayern’s Joao Cancelo, Arsenal’s Jorginho, Manchester United’s Marcel Sabitzer and PSG’s Hakim Ziyech…or maybe not PSG’s Hakim Ziyech.
We rate some of January’s most notable transfers.
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Armory: A+
Mikel Arteta’s men receive a strong mark for their pragmatic approach to the January window, which ranged from missing top target Mykhailo Mudryk to reinforcing in several emergency positions. The Gunners would have spent more on the Ukraine international alone than they would on Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, who come and strengthen in every key outfield. Dealing this winter shouldn’t prevent Arsenal from making the kind of significant changes they plan to make next summer either, including a move for Declan Rice from West Ham United. They also resisted the temptation to pay big bucks for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo, despite typical late transfer window pressures, although Brighton’s staunch refusal to sell may have had something to do with it.
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Bayern Munich: A-
With Yann Sommer, Joao Cancelo and Daley Blind, the chances of the German champions in the UEFA Champions League are much better. Julian Nagelsmann’s side looked vulnerable before the break at FIFA World Cup 2022 but they now look better prepared and the Portugal international’s signing from Manchester City was particularly impressive in his quick manner. Manuel Neuer’s injury at the end of the Season has been compensated with Sommer while Blind adds experience and Cancelo adds significant quality and versatility.
Chelsea: C+
Graham Potter’s men have been by far the busiest this January, signing Enzo Fernandez at the last minute with Benfica, in addition to Mudryk, Joao Felix (loan), Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana is joined by the confirmed signing of Christopher Nkunku for later this year. It’s very exciting and bodes well for the future with so many top young talents, but there is little to no sign of real strategy at Stamford Bridge. Without that, this remains simply a talented group of players brought together at great expense and currently on course to fail to qualify for Europe. Badiashile, Gusto and Fofana could prove to be particularly smart acquisitions, but Fernandez and Mudryk are at higher risk given the price tags and even Felix given his problems with Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United: C-
Marcel Sabitzer, Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland probably wouldn’t have got many – if any – Red Devils fans dreaming in early January. However, the trio appear to be quite smart when that window of opportunity closes, and in particular the Austria international, who has unexpectedly landed at the last minute after news of Christian Eriksen’s long injury broke. In terms of Erik ten Hag’s needs and wants up until this summer, everyone fits the bill and doesn’t bring back United the exorbitant fees that would have been asked of them before and likely accepted by a club with no clear vision. Ten Hag said he can use them so let him see the season with the players he wants before continuing his makeover at Old Trafford in the summer.
PSG:D
The deadline in the French champions’ attempt to limbo Hakim Ziyech due to a delay in submitting the documents on time, while letting Keylor Navas and Pablo Sarabia go. In terms of quality, the Moroccan international could give Christophe Galtier’s men a significant boost in creativity if the deal goes through, but Navas and Sarabia leave less depth in the squad than before. Also, PSG have been in defense all January and Milan Skriniar has only been signed for this summer and not immediately, so they remain weak there. Efforts have been made to replace Sarabia and even these have been unsuccessful, so it’s hard to see how the arrival of an inconsistent Ziyech can be hailed as an instant success. The youngsters Ismael Gharbi and Ayman Kari were also loaned out.
Juventus: D
Few clubs in Europe are currently as institutionally chaotic as the Italian giants and that was reflected in the last few weeks with a 15-point deduction in Serie A and leadership turmoil. Now the old lady has allowed USMNT star Weston McKennie to join Leeds United, leaving them weak on the pitch at a time when reinforcements aren’t really possible and many players are looking around at what’s happening and eyeing the exit door. As it’s entirely possible not to qualify for Europe, Juve’s poor January could pave the way for a desperate summer and forced exodus of remaining talent.
Manchester City: D-
It looked like an uneventful winter window until the last few minutes, when Cancelo was allowed to join Bayern, leaving many scratching their heads. Without an adequate replacement, although the Portuguese has played a more expendable role in Pep Guardiola’s squad of late, depth and versatility are concerns now more than they were just days ago. There has been much talk of a possible dispute between Cancelo and his former boss, which could prove costly for the Citizens – if true. City’s loss is Bayern’s gain and despite the arrival of Maximo Perrone, this window feels like failure and a potentially self-inflicted wound for the Premier League champions.