For many, the January transfer window comes as a blessing, supplying clubs in mid-season free-fall with the opportunity to reinvest in their squad to limit the damage, for others, though, it’s considered a curse.
Ultimately, the window provides teams with the opportunity to bulk up their squads but, at times, clubs have been guilty of ‘panic-buying’, snapping up random players from across the continent solely for the purpose of buying players. As a result, they end up with dead weight in their squad. Here’s a look at five signings this month that simply weren’t necessary.
#1 Joey Barton: Unattached to Burnley
After breaking Scottish FA regulations regarding gambling laws late last year, Joey Barton saw his contract with Rangers terminated. The 35-year-old midfielder has since been a free agent and with the potential aggravation of an impending FA ban looming, he’d be the last name to top a January shopping list.
Nonetheless, Burnley quickly opted to snap-up Barton, despite his troublemaking antics and the fact that the Clarets are already inundated with midfield talents such as Steven Defour, Scott Arfield, Jeff Hendrick and Johann Berg Gudmundson. With the club barely staving off a relegation battle, the last thing they need is trouble off the field and their transfer focus should’ve ultimately been on their frontline, given that Andre Gray is their top scorer this campaign with just six goals.
#2 M’Baye Niang: AC Milan to Watford – Loan
Only a day prior to the acquisition of Niang, Watford had already signed former QPR and West Ham forward Mauro Zarate for an undisclosed fee from Fiorentina, which only adds more confusion to why the Hornets signed the Frenchman as well. Zarate was added to an already solid attacking contingent comprised of Troy Deeney, Odion Ighalo, Isaac Success, Stefano Okaka and Nordin Amrabat.
The defence has been the London club’s main problem this campaign, not attack. They’ve leaked 38 goals this term, the sixth highest in the division, meaning a sturdy centre-half would surely demand the big wage Niang will receive more so than an additional forward.
#3 Oumar Niasse: Everton to Hull City – Loan
Even in Hull City’s desolate, player-desperate circumstances, this has to be seen as an unnecessary, quite frankly, obscure signing. Having scored just 20 goals so far this term and rooted towards the bottom of the table, Hull are undoubtedly in need of forwards, but there’s no evidence to suggest that Niasse will fit the bill.
With the Toffees for over two seasons, Niasse has mustered up just 5 appearances, not playing a minute of football for Everton this campaign. He’s not yet registered a goal since moving to England from Lokomotiv Moscow and lacks experience, maturity and proven goal-scoring prowess. It just seems like a serious waste of a wage from Hull’s perspective, who would’ve perhaps been better off snapping up an in-form Championship forward.
#4 Simone Zaza: Juventus to Valencia – Loan
Valencia are another side seriously struggling this term, having already lost 9 games in the league and lingering between mediocrity and the relegation zone. The attacking contingent of Rodrigo, Munir and Mina have not delivered this campaign, hence the Spaniards’ desire to reinforce their attack, but Zaza’s goal-scoring record has been poor to say the least in recent seasons.
The Italian’s loan spell with West Ham has only just expired and during his time in the English capital, he played just nine games. In the said period, he failed to register a single goal whilst creating a meagre eight chances in total. His form is therefore lacking and the last thing Valencia need in their situation is someone out of sync who will require time to settle down before they start performing.
#5 Gerard Deloufeu: Everton to AC Milan - Loan
Not too long ago, the whippy Spaniard was tipped to be one of the finest talents across the continent, but he’s found life more difficult in the English top flight, registering just two goals in 37 matches for the Toffees over two seasons. His game time has been limited by the likes of Yanick Bolasie coming in and a move was always on the cards.
That said, Milan would not have been towards the top of the list of clubs in need of a player like Deulofeu. The likes of Suso and Honda occupy the flanks, while AC Milan often operate with the lone striker – Carlos Bacca. This means Deloufeu, despite having started in the recent 2-1 defeat to Udinese, isn’t really needed. To top that all off, if Milan were eager to replace Niang who they’ve loaned out, then there are countless other candidates available who are more prolific in front of goal.
