Chelsea land Enzo Fernandez
The transfer window is now closed and most European football clubs can no longer do business until the summer. It was a busy last day at work with many unexpected players joining surprise clubs meaning there were a number of winners and losers in terms of good moves and some were forced to stay put despite their desire to go elsewhere. Enzo Fernandez, Jorginho, disco, Marcel Sabitzer, and Milan Skriniar were just a few to experience contrasting fortunes on January 31.
We look at some winners and losers:
Winner: Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea
The transfer saga of this January window ended with the Argentina international getting the move he’s been after all month. The two clubs reached a deal at the last possible minute and the 22-year-old completes what has been a lavish winter spending spree, even by Chelsea’s new standards. Fernandez leaves a big hole for the Portuguese giants but brings in the biggest possible fee that can be reinvested in the future. Now the South American has to get to work as Graham Potter attempts to rebuild the Blues midfield with his latest acquisition.
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Losing: Hakim Ziyech’s incomplete transfer to PSG
It seemed like the Morocco international would be a winner, but his move to Parc Des Princes to join Paris Saint-Germain faced a problem as reports indicate that a paperwork issue from the Chelsea side resulted in the documentation not being submitted on time. The French Professional League has now confirmed that the change is not valid. Ziyech has become a bit more of a forgotten man with each new arrival like Mudryk and Joao Felix arrived at Stamford Bridge. A move would breathe new life into him, but he will now have to hold on in London until at least this summer. There’s no doubt that the 2022 FIFA World Cup played a part in Ziyech earning that potential shot at 29, but there was also that little need from the French champions who had sorely needed an injection of creativity. It was an interesting possibility in a position of need, but not as much as the new PSG defender badly needed…
Loser: Milan Skriniar stays at Inter until the summer
This brings us to one of the big losers who will now have to finish the season with Inter Milan. Skriniar has agreed to spend the summer at PSG as a free agent, but both will have to go without until then, which isn’t necessarily good news for the rest of this season. The Ligue 1 leaders were in dire need of new defensive blood given their current struggles and Skriniar was desperate to leave as soon as possible but now have to give their all in tricky circumstances for the Nerazzurri.
Winner: Marcel Sabitzer at Manchester United
Few people had predicted such a decision, but the premature injury of Christian Erikson presented an opportunity that United jumped on it to add a quality workaround with the Denmark star now until the end of the season. A non-essential figure at Bayern Munich, Sabitzer’s future has been more or less the subject of speculation since his arrival from RB Leipzig and this change is now an opportunity to recall its quality. Expect Erik ten Hag to make him look like something close to the talismanic figure he was for Leipzig.
Winner: Jorginho at Arsenal
Late last week Arsenal needed to spend big to land Brighton Moses Caicedo Yet the Ecuador international finds himself stuck with the Seagulls a few days later. After refusing to get embroiled in a bidding war for Caicedo, the Gunners took the same no-nonsense approach that left Mykhailo Mudryk to join Chelsea and leave for Leandro Trossard and Jacob Kiwior instead. Mike Arteta’s men are now left with three quality additions at a fraction of the prices discussed for both Mudryk and Caicedo. Jorginho could also become a Premier League champion.
Loser: Isco and Union Berlin collapse
For a short time, it looked like Union Berlin would pull off a coup with the Spaniard joining the likes of Josip JuranovicJerome Roussillon, and Aissa Laidouni at the Stadion An der Altern Forsterei. However, the medical examination proved problematic and the move quickly fell apart for the 30-year-old. real Madrid and Seville man who remains without a club. The Germans will be fine and well-equipped for their fight at the top of the Bundesliga, but there is no guarantee that Isco will find a new club anytime soon given that there are now major questions over his physical condition.
Loser: Moises Caicedo doesn’t make a big move from Brighton
The Ecuadorian international overplayed his hand and got burned when Arsenal backed down from Brighton’s asking price. Isolated from the senior squad as the transfer window passed, Caicedo now faces the difficult task to win back the trust of his manager, teammates, and Seagulls fans. Given the high price tag, potential future suitors will be wary of this episode ahead of trying to land the 21-year-old this summer – assuming his form has recovered.
