Deadline Day is here, and it is perhaps, the most enthralling aspect of football that does not include the pitch and or football players. We have seen some incredible drama on deadline day in years gone by, like Real Madrid’s fax machine pro up a last minute deal for David De Gea, and we could see more today.
As the drama reaches its climax, here are 6 high-profile deadline day moves that could happen.
#5 Matteo Darmian to Inter
When Antonio Valencia – not a natural right-back – is preferred ahead of you, it’s pretty clear that your time at the club has well and truly come to an end.
Since Wayne Rooney’s testimonial game at the beginning of August, Matteo Darmian has failed to make even the Manchester United bench, as Jose Mourinho has made his intentions very clear about his stand.
After starting his career with the Red Devils brilliantly, many expected him to be the perfect successor to Gary Neville. However, as the season progressed, his performance took a severe dip.
He might have had a decent Euro 2016, but that wasn’t enough to convince Mourinho, who has made it crystal clear that Antonio Valencia is his first-choice right-back.
With this, a move out of the club seems like a real possibility, with the Italian with Serie A club Inter, being tipped as a prime candidate for his signature.
Possibility: 60%
#4 Marcos Alonso to Chelsea
The Manuel Pellegrini era at Real Madrid is somewhat of a forgotten one; which is fair given that he was there for only a year. With the amount of pressure that he was in, he couldn’t give youth players a chance with the first team.
However, one youth player caught the eye - it was Marcos Alonso.
Mind you, he is not a ‘big name’ like the others on this list, but the fee – £23 million, puts him on this list as that it is a large sum for a full-back.
He might have only featured once under the Chilean at Madrid, but there was something endearing about him. With Marcelo ahead of him in the pecking order, without showing any signs of declination, Alonso chose to leave the club for pastures anew.
At Fiorentina now, he is a reputed player among Serie A fans and Antonio Conte is no exception. The left-back conundrum at Chelsea has been present ever since Ashley Cole departed from the club. A lot of money has been spent for an apt replacement, but it has gone in vain thus far.
And with a £23 million move near completion, it seems as though Marcos Alonso will be newest attempt to solve the Blues’ left-back problems. Chelsea are also about to complete the signing of Marcelo Brozovic from Inter.
Possibility: 85%.
#3 James Rodriguez to Chelsea
Real Madrid have a plethora of incredibly talented players on their bench. The likes of Lucas Vazquez, Isco and James Rodriguez would be starters in most teams, just not with the Blancos.
After a solid 2014 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot, James Rodriguez was bought by the Galacticos for a whopping €80 million Euros. After a promising start, his form took a dip, largely due to the fact that both Carlo Ancelotti and now Zinedine Zidane play a system that doesn’t have the number 10 – Rodriguez’s natural position.
This means that James Rodriguez will have to endure another year playing second fiddle, which is perhaps too much for a player of his calibre and at his age. He has featured as a sub for the club this season so far, and put in some really impressive shifts, but he could yet leave the club even though Zidane has suggested otherwise.
An audacious loan move to Chelsea has been touted and he might as well end up in London before the transfer window slams shut.
Possibility (if Isco stays at Real Madrid): 70%
Possibility (if Isco leaves): 0%
#2 Jack Wilshere to Crystal Palace
Once upon a time, Jack Wilshere wreaked havoc against Barcelona as an 18-year-old. Perhaps no other 18-year-old could do what he did against the best club team in the world at that time.
Even though Arsenal lost the tie, the Englishman impressed thoroughly and was touted for a big future.
However, injuries marred his road and he is now in the fringes of the Arsenal squad. Once Arsenal’s greatest hope, is now a player that inflicts pain with his apparent lack of mettle. According to Barcelona legend, Xavi Hernandez, a move away from Arsenal – albeit on loan, would do the former prodigy a world of good.
And it seems like that is what will happen as Alan Pardew has, reportedly, convinced the midfielder to help with his cause at Crystal Palace. Only time will tell if this move will reap any rewards.
Possibility: 90%
#1 Isco to Tottenham Hotspur
Isco’s career at Real Madrid started with a bang. After a flurry of goals and assists in his initial games, Real Madrid fans began to adore him as his name was chanted whenever he was on the field.
That was perhaps his greatest achievement as Madrid’s fans don’t think twice before booing even their record goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, bad luck then befell the Spaniard as Carlo Ancelotti decided to scrap his predecessor Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1 system for a 4-3-3 formation. It reaped instant rewards; Real Madrid went on to win the Champions League and Copa Del Rey that season. It was a good time for Madrid, but not for Isco.
After the number 10 position was dissolved, he has found playing time hard to come by. He might be the first choice substitution for many positions, but he is still only that: a backup player.
Like James, a player of his calibre and age shouldn’t be wasting his talent by sitting on the bench. A week earlier, he was sure to stay at the club. Now, however, with offers from both Malaga and Tottenham, we could see him in another shirt after the window closes.
Spurs have Champions League football to lure him to the club and a loan move has been proposed. Whether he stays or leaves will be disclosed in only a matter of few hours.
Possibility (if James stays at Real): 70%
Possibility (if James leaves): 0%
