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Transfer deadline day in the Premier League brought with it the usual flurry of social media panic, wild rumours of players in helicopters or airports and a whole bushel-load of panicking fans wondering whether their team would squeeze through the last signature in time.
For some, big-money permanent deals can mean an exciting couple of seasons ahead, but for others it might have been all about a key temporary signing; a loan deal in an important area who has the talent to get the team over the line and achieve their ambitions for the season, whether they be survival, European football or otherwise.
Here’s a look at the five best loan moves made by the Premier League clubs this January… West Ham’s Roger Johnson does not feature.
5. Lacina Traore, Monaco to Everton
Lanky striker Traore completed a move from Anzhi Makhachkala to AS Monaco midway through the January window, then was loaned straight out to Everton. A bit of a caveat about this choice as the Toffees have to get him fit first of all, but with Arouna Kone and now Romelu Lukaku both out with injuries themselves, Traore could suddenly be the man to lead the Everton attack as they chase a Champions League spot.
The Ivorian forward scored just one goal in five Russian Premier League games this year, but Anzhi’s summer firesale and complete collapse of the club essentially renders them a pub team in a professional league; they have’t won all season. Still, Traore won 44% of his headed duels and created four chances in his five games, an indication of where his threat lies.
4. Thomas Ince, Blackpool to Crystal Palace
Probably the transfer rumour which involved the most clubs this window, Ince finally moved to Palace on Deadline Day until the end of the season, when he will become a free agent.
Ince Chances Created – Championship 2013/14
Despite Blackpool’s plummet down the Championship since their last win in November, Ince managed seven goals in 23 games and was consistently a threat in opponents’ final thirds in that division. 51 chances created, including six assists, shows he has end product where it matters, while he has also completed 59% of his 58 attempted take-ons.
Ince will be a useful player as Palace bid to stave off relegation, potentially as an impact sub to start with.
3. Lewis Holtby, Tottenham to Fulham
Fulham need quality on the pitch and fast, having sunk to the bottom of the table after four straight defeats. Spurs midfielder Holtby brings great energy, good technical ability and a need to prove himself in the Premier League, having not yet hit the heights expected of him since joining Tottenham last winter.
Holtby Duel Success – PL 2013/14
In and out of the team this season, he has created 17 chances in 13 games from his usual mix of midfield roles, with an 82% pass completion rate. Importantly for a side battling at the bottom, he not only has offensive qualities but gets stuck in defensively too, winning an impressive 61% of his 28 tackles this season.
Holtby won’t be enough to get Fulham out of danger by himself, but he’s the best bit of business they did in January and if he can add to his single goal this term – incidentally scored against Fulham – he may just offer his temporary team their best chance of survival.
2. Ryan Bertrand, Chelsea to Aston Villa
Villa were in desperate need of a quality left-back after the departure of Eric Lichaj and the less-than-successful signing of Antonio Luna, while Bertrand was in desperate need of game time after falling to third-choice at Chelsea. A perfect match, then, and the English full-back has already slotted straight into the side, playing three games for his new team since signing.
Bertrand Defensive Actions (Aston Villa) – PL 2013/14
He’s won three of his four headed duels and 55% of his tackles, with an average of three defensive actions per game, showcasing the awareness and diligence he brings to Villa’s back four—but they’ll hope to see more of him going forward, too, as he has created only one chance so far and failed to complete one take-on.
In any case, Bertrand is a terrific talent for a side like Villa to have acquired and as he gains more match fitness he’ll certainly go on to play his part in Villa staying up once more, while the club themselves have done well to identify and capture a good young player in a key area needed to improve.
1. Wilfried Zaha, Manchester United to Cardiff City
Cardiff needed to bring in better options in the final third, and the particular combination of Zaha and new permanent signing Kenwyne Jones is going to be exactly what they needed to survive.
Zaha Pass Map vs Norwich (H) – PL 2013/14
Zaha brings great pace, an ability to beat a man and, as evidenced in his Championship days at least, final-third delivery. His debut for Cardiff saw him make an instant impact off the bench against Norwich City as he completed one take-on, created two chances and completed 92% of his passes in his 53 minutes on the pitch. If he can find that sort of form on a regular basis from the start of games, he’ll be an invaluable addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s new-look attack.
It will also raise question marks over exactly why he was afforded exactly 30 minutes of Premier League football for the Red Devils as they struggled badly in attack this term
