Due to time constraints (I am going away for a couple of weeks) I haven't got time to do a full analysis of the Premier League clubs' transfers as I wanted. Instead I'll look just at my own club for now, Liverpool, since they had quite a busy transfer window overall!
THE INS
Right then - the signings. Liverpool went into the summer needing to strengthen several positions. Prime amongst these were wide midfield and left back. Secondary positions were centre-half and striker. So how did we do?
Jordan Henderson - something of a surprise at first, the England U21 star has clearly been purchased for the long-term. His versatility means he will make plenty of appearances, and he is showing a lot of promise already with some composed performances.
Charlie Adam - surprising nobody given the activity in January, Charlie Adam was signed from Blackpool and has slotted instantly into the Reds' midfield. Adam's range of passing means he offers something none of Liverpool's other midfielders can provide. He is also thought of as a dead-ball specialist, which should help the Reds out in the offensive set-piece areas. Overall, a good quality signing.
Stewart Downing - now I admit I was, at first, a little underwhelmed by this signing. Sure, we needed a wide player or two, but I'd never really paid Downing much attention and thought of him as one-footed and a little bland. So far, it seems I may have been wrong. He has been a breath of fresh air at Anfield with some exciting performances on the wing. He has also demonstrated his eye for goal, and excellent crossing ability. I'm now convinced Downing is a player that Reds fans will continue to enjoy watching.
Jose Enrique - as I said above, Liverpool needed a left back. And of the names linked with the club, Enrique was the one I wanted. Quick and powerful, Enrique came into the side less than 48 hours after signing and looked like he'd been in the team for years. An excellent acquisition, particularly for the mooted £6m.
Sebastian Coates - something of an unknown quantity to many people, Coates is a young centre-half who comes with great potential. Standing at 6-foot-6, he is an imposing figure and was awarded the young player of the tournament at the recent Copa America, which he won alongside Luis Suarez with Uruguay. I suspect Coates will be eased into the side but the early indications are that he could be in for a successful stay on Merseyside.
Craig Bellamy - with David N'Gog gone to Bolton, a spot was opening up for another striker in the squad to provide backup, and options. Enter Bellamy, returning to Anfield 4 years after departing. Bellamy provides pace and ability, and coming off the bench could make an impact on a game that needs change. I am happy with Bellamy coming in, since he obviously wants to play for the club and accepts he will not be first choice.
THE OUTS
It was important for Liverpool to move a lot of players on this summer. A total of 21 players left Anfield - some of them youth players, but many names were the ones that fans would have hand-picked to be moved on if they could.
Christian Poulsen - the veteran Danish international has had a torrid time on Merseyside; and many fans were against his signing to start with. It was apparent that Dalglish did not have plans for Poulsen so it is best for all parties that he move. To his credit, Poulsen never complained or kicked up a fuss. He tried his best, but unfortunately that wasn't good enough.
Joe Cole - the England midfielder provided quite a conundrum for Dalglish and the owners FSG. Certainly last summer's marquee signing, Cole's Anfield career was somewhat less than spectacular. Not helped by injuries and suspensions, Joe Cole just couldn't get started. Even when he did play he failed to light up the field. Moving him on, therefore, became a priority. It was also a problem due to his high wage figure. In the end, French champions LOSC Lille took him on loan. I applaud Cole's willingness to ply his trade on the continent, since too many English players are reluctant to leave their comfort zone, and for me it shows that the man is serious about getting his career back on track. I wish him the best of luck.
David N'Gog - much criticised by many in and out of Liverpool, the young Frenchman signed for Bolton Wanderers after struggling to force his way into Kenny Dalglish's plans. Personally I liked N'Gog and thought some criticism was harsh considering he never had much of a run in the side, but when he did he scored goals. But he is of the age where he needs games to develop, and we could not offer him that at Anfield.
Alberto Aquilani - where to start with AA? The whole situation has been a mess since we signed him. He was injured, and ended up being out for longer than we thought. Then he struggled to get in the side, and after he did he looked quite the part. Then, inexcplicably, he was loaned to Juventus for a season, where he performed well but the new Juve boss Bruno Conte opted for the veteran Andrea Pirlo instead of purchasing Aquilani. And all along the summer nobody quite knew whether he would stay at Liverpool or not. Finally we confirmed a loan-to-buy deal with Serie A champions AC Milan, and this *should* spell the end of this whole saga. And I for one am thankful. Aquilani is a quality midfielder, but it was beginning to get a bit ridiculous and it needed a resolution for the benefit of all concerned.
Philipp Degen, Nabil El Zhar, Soto Kygriakos, Milan Jovanovic, Emiliano Insua & Paul Konchesky - I won't waste a paragraph on each of these. Suffice to say that all of these players were never going to have much of a season, if any, this year and it was necessary to move them on. I'm just surprised we managed to lose them all!
Raul Meireles - this, for me, was the one black spot on the window. Primarily for the way it happened, so late, and because it was Chelsea. I accept that Meireles' chances might have been limited this season, particularly with Steven Gerrard returning, but I had come around to thinking that he made an excellent squad player. It is unfortunate but I think the signings of Henderson and Adam indicates that we were always prepared for this to happen.
OVERALL
This transfer window has seen some excellent work from Liverpool, and may be the best business we've done in many many years, considering both ins and outs. The squad looks healthy, with plenty of competition for places, and hopefully this allows Dalglish's men to continue their progress by qualifying for the Champions League. It is an interesting time for Reds fans.
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