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The 2021 winter transfer window was pretty low-key, as the financial implications of COVID-19 did not allow clubs to spend big.
It is no secret that clubs don’t like to sell their players in the January transfer window and inflate prices, so that too played a role.
A lot of loan signings were made last month, and some of the players have already made an impact at their new club and have hit the ground running.
On that note, let’s take a look at five players who are already impressing for their new club:
#1 Luka Jovic – Real Madrid to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan
Luka Jovic is already feeling at home once again at Eintracht Frankfurt after a torrid spell at Real Madrid. The Serbian moved to Eintracht on a loan deal until the end of the season, and has found his mojo again.
Jovic has made six appearances for the German outfit and has scored three times already this season. That’s one more goal than the number of strikes he mustered at Real Madrid in a year and a half.
Goals aren’t the only reason Jovic is in the team as he has combined well with his team-mates at Eintracht as they look for a top-four finish under Adi Hutter this season.
The side are currently third in the Bundesliga table, three points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and six ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who are fifth and sixth respectively.
#2 Fikayo Tomori – Chelsea to AC Milan on loan
On loan at AC Milan from Premier League side Chelsea, Tomori has already left a good impression on manager Stefano Pioli.
Tomori did not have much time to acclimatize to his new surroundings as first-choice defender Simon Kjaer picked up an injury in the Milan derby. To his credit, Tomori did exceptionally well on his debut.
Since making his first appearance in the Milan derby, Tomori has appeared in every game for the Rossoneri, and is constantly improving.
His average of two tackles and 2.3 clearances per game in Serie A so far is pretty good, and if he continues his solid displays, he might force Gareth Southgate into selecting him for the Euros this summer.
#3 Papu Gomez – Atalanta to Sevilla
What happened to Papu Gomez at Atalanta left many of the club’s fans shocked as they saw one of their cult heroes and leaders on the pitch leave abruptly.
Gomez’s bustling displays in the attacking midfield role earned him a lot of plaudits. He was a key member of the Atalanta squad that made it to the Champions League quarter-finals last season and an important part of the way their system worked.
Falling out with Gian Piero Gasperini ultimately meant he joined Sevilla for cheap, and boy has he made a good start in Andalusia.
At 33, not many expected Gomez to really make an impact, well, at least immediately. But a stunning goal and a busy display on his debut for Sevilla against Getafe pretty much summed up the type of player he is.
Sevilla are currently seven points clear of Real Sociedad and are fourth in La Liga, looking to finish in the top four. For Gomez, the chance to win a trophy – the Copa Del Rey – with Sevilla in his debut season will be a massive motivation.
#4 Sebastian Haller - West Ham United to Ajax
Haller and another player on this list, Luka Jovic, forged a good partnership together at Frankfurt. It was a real shame for Bundesliga fans when the two went to different leagues and struggled.
Like Jovic, Haller failed to make an impact at West Ham United as he was too often used as a lone forward up top in an archetypal ‘English’ setup that was designed to fail.
Haller has been one of the best players in the Eredivisie since he joined Ajax in January, and has already scored three times and provided five assists.
Surprised? It just goes to show how terribly he was used at West Ham. The former Eintracht forward has already formed a good understanding with his new team-mates at Ajax and is reaping the benefits of playing in a more attacking and possession oriented setup.
#5 Demarai Gray - Leicester City to Bayer Leverkusen
Gray fell out of favor at Leicester City, and moved to Bayer Leverkusen in January for a nominal fee. A player with good talent, Gray never really managed to impress consistently at Leicester.
The move to the Bundesliga could be his big break, though. Gray has all the tools to finally progress as a player in a league that focuses more on technique and quality on the ball than physicality.
The winger is yet to make his full debut for Leverkusen, but in the two matches he has played so far, he has impressed with a goal and an assist.
The winger’s energetic displays and ability from the wings will help Leverkusen break teams down, and he could play a key role in the second half of the season.
