The January transfer window has flown by once more, throwing up some real surprises as well as some potential bargains. Oscar has jumped ship at Chelsea and boarded the gravy train to China, and Gabriel Jesus has started his Premier League career with Manchester City with a bang.
Every year, around the 1st of January there is a feeling of nervous anticipation amongst football fans, a mixture of fear and excitement about whether their team will sign a hidden gem or blow a load on a washed- up has-been. Players’ values hyperinflate in January – this was very evident when Van Aanholt went from Sunderland to Palace from £14 million and Man City spent £27 million on the relatively unknown quantity of Gabriel Jesus. That gamble seems to have been a stroke of genius, as Jesus has burst onto the scene, most recently grabbing a brace against Swansea to secure a dramatic victory on Sunday.
With so much talk of the romance in football being replaced by a hunger and greed for money, the charm of the January transfer window does seem to have been tainted by the ridiculousness of the amounts being spent. With China emerging as a financial superpower in the football world, where seemingly money is no object, it has attracted a number of players who may prefer an easier ride for a lot more money. But, the January transfer window is still a great opportunity for all teams to strengthen their squads and get rid of any excess baggage, especially when you go further down the football ladder.
Cambridge United are going through an all too familiar scenario – a poor start to the season, followed by a great unbeaten run, ended by an FA Cup exit to superior opposition, resulting in their season derailing. This may seem overdramatic but the U’s have gone from within touching distance of the play-offs to sitting slapbang in the middle, in 12th place. This window was a chance for Cambridge to strengthen and get their unravelling season back on track.
Losing players like Blair Adams (to Hamilton Academical) and Joe Piggott (to Maidstone United, on loan) are absolutely fine, as long as they’re replaced by willing and able players. The Amber Army recruited Scott Wharton from Blackburn Rovers, and he has made a good impact, putting in a man of the match performance in this weekend’s loss to Plymouth Argyle. With Jake Carroll also impressing on debut, the early signs for United are that they have recruited fairly well, although a lack of a new, proven goalscorer will be a big concern for fans.
This time of year often separates the real challengers from the nearly boys, and maybe another season establishing themselves in League Two is what Cambridge United need. Derry managed to steady the ship, without finding himself thrown overboard, but the longer this run of poor results continues, the more the pressure will be heaped back onto him. Cambridge recruited and did change things up which will be encouraging to fans but only time will tell whether this round of recruits make the grade and help Cambridge finish the season in style. Gerry McDonagh to score the winner in the Play-Off Final? Watch this space.
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Published by Jack Swindlehurst