January Transfer Window: Contrasting spending by Arsenal and Chelsea
The January transfer window gave birth to rising speculation that promised to alter the structure of the Barclays Premier League.
The Arsenal camp sat patiently expectant that a new name was going to join their ranks. Arsene Wenger had claimed at the start of the New Year that the Gunners would sign a centre back; however, such a transaction never materialized.
What was Wenger waiting for – a bargain in the middle of the domestic season? The regular Arsenal faithful looked on as millions changed hands elsewhere.
Over £210 million was spent during the January transfer window. Predictably, Arsenal’s contribution totalled a precise zero pence. Moreover, the month saw a total of 17 young Gunners picking up valuable experience away from the
Emirates. Prominent names in the list of loanees included http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carlos-Vela-c8558 who signed up for
West Bromwich Albion for a brief spell.
Owing to recent injuries to certain key players included http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 and Denilson, the Arsenal midfield looks heavily depleted at the moment. Arsene Wenger hinted that he might look to recall some players back, with central midfielder
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 a possible option.
“It is difficult at the moment,” says the Arsenal manager. “Ramsey is out on loan for one month. If it is a month you have to wait for the month unless we have exceptional injuries, then you can have the request [to recall a player].
But Ramsey needs games so even if you recall him he needs first games before he plays.”
Turning our attention to Chelsea, the last day of the transfer window saw the Blues as one of the most active clubs in arguably any league. Roman Abramovic reverted back to the only way he knows how to alter the club’s fortune.
The defending champions spent a total of £76.5 million on the final day of the transfer window. Fernando Torres made his much speculated leap from Merseyside to Stamford Bridge while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Luiz-c10542 was another surprise signing from Benfica in the hopes to bolster
the defence.
The Blues looked down and out after a promising start to their title defence. Not only did they fall from the top spot, there was also mounting pressure on Carlo Ancelotti to keep his team on course for a top-four Champions League
spot for the next campaign.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 balances their books.
Interestingly, Manchester United’s quiet January nearly went by unnoticed. The benefits of being unbeaten and at the top of the Premier League standings, maybe?
Starting next season, European football clubs’ finances will be monitored for three years, and any club with an operating debt of £40m over that three-year period will face UEFA sanctions, including being banned from playing in
the Champions League or Europa League in the 2014-15 season.
Owing to their ability to manage cash-flows 'efficiently', Arsenal are sticking to their principles of how a club and a business should be run – Wenger’s economics degree coming in handy? http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786, on the contrary, are simply at
the whim of Abramovich, and his insatiable lust for success. One look at the league table should remind him, however, that there is still more to football than money.
However, Chelsea were evidently seen doing something about their situation while Arsenal looked to their vintage strength in youth policy. With nearly four months of football and 15 odd games still to go in the
2010-11 season, there is ample time for either strategy to reap rewards. Apparently, the only thing the two contrasting spenders have in common is their hunger to bring the Premier League to London this term.
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