January Transfer Window 2014

First topic message reminder :

I'm gonna open this up now as I contemplate watching the shower of poop I'm about to watch.

What strong rumours have we heard? What do teams need? Where do you think the money will be spent?

I shall start you off with rumours surrounding Lambert maybe considering West Ham and similarly West Ham going to Spurs cap in hand to request a loan of Defoe or Adebayor (sources not so tight haha)

mystiroakey wrote:Well yeah from a neutrals perspective its great to still have Mata in the PL.

But If i was a liverpool fan I would be thinking wtf is going on!

Will this push you into making a big move on someone?

That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'd just like us to test the waters and throw a bid in.

I'd like to know what Chelsea fans think of this? Do they trust Jose this much to accept him selling one of their best players to a rival?

I'm just saying that the short term hope of mata aiding United against City/Arsenal, was a number of factors Jose`s thought about in this deal. That, along with him not needing him, because of his poor work rate & the huge £37m deal, just persuaded Chelsea to do the deal that would help Mourinho in the summer to build his ideal team & negate whatever United can do, even with the attraction of Mata. Long term, Chelsea n City can still blow away United in terms of transfers n there is no guarantee United will even get top 4.

I just feel, United fans think this signing is suddenly going to reward them with top 4 & things will be rosy n then they can challenge next season n Mourinho will be scared. Total delusion. United have so many issues, a clueless manager, no guaranteed top 4, a system which doesn't suit mata/rooney together, defence all at sea n still a huge whole centrally with cleverley/fellaini n an ageing carrick.

Mourinho is scared, yeah OK! Why would Chelsea fans question this? Chelsea look a stronger powerful unit without Mata & are challenging for the title this way. They also now have financial means to strengthen considerably in the summer & get that world class striker.

From a chelsea fans perspective whilst it is sad to see our POTY go he doesnt fit with how Mourinho has us set up. The past two seasons we have been unbelievably poor for almost all of it and Mata was able to shine. This season we have a genuine chance of winning the league (and possibly fa cup/cl) and are back to grinding out results.

Mata, by his own admission, is not prepared to change the way he plays and we cannot "carry" someone who doesnt fit into the system. Saying carry is an odd term with Mata's quality but even Hazard has started to win the ball back. Look at Willian and Oscars work rate compared to Mata's and it becomes even more obvious. When we lose the ball they immediately go to win at back and can break at pace (which Mata doesnt do). He is a luxury player but if we go and use this money to get Benzema  then the system will be complete.

Could still do with another right sided inside forward as well (similar to schurrle) to act as backup

Anything he does against Arsenal and City would be a bonus, not planned. Jose isn't thinking like that.

I struggle to see where he'd play though tbf. Another AM by trade, you get the feeling he and Rooney would end up tripping over each other when he's back. Fine player but United need CMs and wingers primarily

Moyes is now clueless? Interesting.

The long term problems don't look like being solved this window, doesnt mean you don't buy Mata. Too much quality to ignore.

GSC, that's what I said, helping take points off Chelsea`s rivals was one of many factors Jose would of thought about in this deal, not the only factor.

Agree about United. One of Rooney/Mata will be playing out of position you feel, unless there's a new formation bought in. Centrally United look weak still with Cleverley, Carrick & Fellaini, that's the area which needed strengthening. Its more like Mata is just Rooney's replacement, they must know him signing a new deal is slim. Defence needs a new left back, right back & a centre back. Huge issues still. Mourinho knows that & so would not be bothered about letting Mata go to United as he won't be the sole reason for a United turnaround.

Yeah I agree gsc. Mata and Rooney are actually close to being identical players.

The irony of this situation is that Rooney is adalatable but mata isn't. Rooneys work rate is high. Matas isn't.

But when Rooney isn't in his preffered place he starts getting angry . he may well
Leave and lose form because mata plays.

Unless of course united all ready are gambling that Rooney would have left any way and have his replacement.

Dolph when hasn't Moyes been clueless.

The more I think of this deal the more I think it will could potentially ruin Rooney's form and united will gain zip.

The one player he got playing well as well.

Off course this feeling could be because I have just developed a deep dislike for Moyes.


By the way.I love Wenger but he is saying its unfair that united get to sign mata...

Come on Wenger that is nonsense.. Talk with confidence not fear.

Some transfer news from last night. Doncaster have re-signed Billy Sharp on loan from Southampton. The locals up here are ecstatic! You'd think they'd signed David Beckham!

More I think about this deal, the more it looks like Rooney will be off. He would of signed already, if he was committee to the club, irrespective of top 4. Rooney has no loyalty.

Moyes probably wants something like this for next season with another attacking right full back.

-----------------RVP---------------

Welbeck- Mata----Januzaj

------Carrick---Gundogan---

Coentrao-Evans-Jones- ?-

--------------De Gea------------

Billy Sharp is a quality striker in a team that can't score for crap. He's also immensely popular after his son died

Yes john and I have this felling he will go to Chelsea in the summer..

I think it's a panic buy for a name pure and simple. Wonder how long it'll take Kagawa to file a transfer request

GSC wrote:Billy Sharp is a quality striker in a team that can't score for crap. He's also immensely popular after his son died

He was immensely popular before this tragic event occurred.

nasisillmatic wrote:
I'd like to know what Chelsea fans think of this? Do they trust Jose this much to accept him selling one of their best players to a rival?

I think Gregers and John have given you decent answers already since you posted this, but here goes my explanation:

1) Yes, Chelsea fans trust in Jose is sky-high, and rightly so TBH. You're right in that had Benitez made this move we wouldn't have been pleased. But...

2) Mata just doesn't fit the current system at Chelsea (Jose's system). The last couple of seasons Mata has been given a more influential role, and shined, but possibly at the expense of Hazard and Oscar say. Oscar has certainly been much more influential this season (as influential as Mata last year), and Hazard has been simply superb.

3) Mata by his own admission doesn't work hard enough at winning the ball back, and Jose simply doesn't want to carry what he views as a luxury player. Comtrast that to the huge improvement Hazard has made in this area this season. Remember also that one of the great Barca team's main strength was not only how they used the ball, but just how much of the ball they had. This was because they were great at keeping the ball, but also because when they lost it they pressed hard and fast to (usually fairly swiftly) get it back again.

4) Chelsea's current system requires them to be able to break at pace, something Mata doesn't do.

5) 37 million, plus the money saved on wages, is not to be sniffed at (probably more than we'd get in the summer by selling him outside England), especially for a bench player, which hopefully will allow us to boost our squad in areas where we are lacking.


Basically, Mata doesn't fit the Chelsea system. Chelsea have looked a far better team this season when he hasn't played (Southampton match = case in point), and the cash we're making on the deal can be re-invested to other areas which are more needed.

The Womble wrote:

GSC wrote:Billy Sharp is a quality striker in a team that can't score for crap. He's also immensely popular after his son died

He was immensely popular before this tragic event occurred.

Yeah I just meant on a national scale. He was loved here too

GSC wrote:

The Womble wrote:

GSC wrote:Billy Sharp is a quality striker in a team that can't score for crap. He's also immensely popular after his son died

He was immensely popular before this tragic event occurred.

Yeah I just meant on a national scale. He was loved here too

Oh I see   

He is a very highly regarded bloke. Hopefully he will get his season back on track, rather than wasting in the Southampton reserves.

Yeah shame really, he was bought to fire them to promotion then dumped immediately

Yes, Mata is gonna be a huge miss. But, not as it would have been pre-Jose. We still have Hazard, Oscar, Willian started to settle into the league, Schurrle, and Ramires. We will be fine. Jose can do no wrong. What we need now is a centre back and maybe a striker or another midfielder. Midfield core of Lampard, Matic, Mikel, Essien, Luiz, and those named above. We also have Piazon, Marin, Atsu, Chalobah, baby Hazard, McEachran, Moses and Romeu on the books.

Thank you, Mata. We will miss you. You swung in a great corner for Drogba's UCL equaliser.

Jose hates Luiz even more

Josh McEachran joins wigan on loan

Good to see he will be playing again.

Why did he leave watford though?

mystiroakey wrote:Josh McEachran  joins wigan on loan

Good to see he will be playing again.

good news for the lad, think he's a splendid player. Hope he does well, and comes back to the Bridge next year!

mystiroakey wrote:Why did he leave watford though?

6 month loan

Mad for Chelsea wrote:

nasisillmatic wrote:
I'd like to know what Chelsea fans think of this? Do they trust Jose this much to accept him selling one of their best players to a rival?

I think Gregers and John have given you decent answers already since you posted this, but here goes my explanation:

1) Yes, Chelsea fans trust in Jose is sky-high, and rightly so TBH. You're right in that had Benitez made this move we wouldn't have been pleased. But...

2) Mata just doesn't fit the current system at Chelsea (Jose's system). The last couple of seasons Mata has been given a more influential role, and shined, but possibly at the expense of Hazard and Oscar say. Oscar has certainly been much more influential this season (as influential as Mata last year), and Hazard has been simply superb.

3) Mata by his own admission doesn't work hard enough at winning the ball back, and Jose simply doesn't want to carry what he views as a luxury player. Comtrast that to the huge improvement Hazard has made in this area this season. Remember also that one of the great Barca team's main strength was not only how they used the ball, but just how much of the ball they had. This was because they were great at keeping the ball, but also because when they lost it they pressed hard and fast to (usually fairly swiftly) get it back again.

4) Chelsea's current system requires them to be able to break at pace, something Mata doesn't do.

5) 37 million, plus the money saved on wages, is not to be sniffed at (probably more than we'd get in the summer by selling him outside England), especially for a bench player, which hopefully will allow us to boost our squad in areas where we are lacking.


Basically, Mata doesn't fit the Chelsea system. Chelsea have looked a far better team this season when he hasn't played (Southampton match = case in point), and the cash we're making on the deal can be re-invested to other areas which are more needed.

Fair enough really, if Mata has admitted he won't improve his chasing back and work rate then I can see why Jose wouldn't be keen.

I still hope he doesn't go to Man Utd though.

Whilst mata isn't the ideal signing given our problems I don't think he will be as out of place as people suggest.

I believe he started from outside right for Chelsea and roamed about picking up the ball and trying to make things happen. Both he and Rooney able to retain the ball and create is a far better proposition than only Rooney being able to.

As long as we change system/formation I think he will fit in.

Things are different from when ozil was available, we've been so bad this year we can't turn down a quality player because of system/formation plans.

Desperate times.

tend to agree with you Ent, Man u simply need the quality, which they are sorely lacking at the moment. Sure, Mata doesn't play a position where United are particularly weak in, but it's a chance they simply must take. I think Rooney and Mata both playing behind Van Persie could work (maybe a trio with Janujaz/Wellbeck - similar to Chelsea's current system). Leaves them looking a bit narrow though.

"Whilst mata isn't the ideal signing given our problems I don't think he will be as out of place as people suggest."

such a funny statement mate,

You are the only poster on here that thinks/thought he is such an out of place signing!

And he said the Mata to chelsea deal had no chance whatsoever.

Just joking ent with you. As for mad for chelsea`s formation idea, that's what I think Moyes` original idea was, of having attacking overlapping fullbacks in the mould of baines, Coleman n coentrao, to come and produce n create width in behind a narrow three of mata, rooney n welbeck with januj benched n impacting.

-----------------------rvp---------------
-------welbs---rooney---mata------
------------carrick- fellaini------------
Coentrao------------------------new right back { fullbacks producing width}

I think Jose is mad to let him go, can't believe it looks like going through.

Even more madness balague has apparently called his first ever transfer.

With Moyes' current run of form, it wouldn't surprise me that as soon as Mata is signed, sealed and delivered, RVP's body collapses and the Board wish they'd spent £37 million on another striker

Here are my thoughts as a Chelsea fan, if anyone is interested.

I have to admit that I wanted Mata to stay but I completely understand why he is being sold.

I agree with the other fans when they say that even though Mata has been fantastic for us, we still have a lot of amazing talent in our side for example Hazard, Oscar, Willian etc.

I have always trusted in Jose Mourinho and I always will. He is a manager who won 2 premier league titles back to back in his first 2 seasons in the Premier League amongst other trophies and he is definitely my favourite manager.

Like I said before I wanted Mata to stay if it was possible to happen and I think that he is a fantastic player. I have had the privelege of watching him play live and he is a magic player. Good luck to him.

Also I would just like to say that I think that he will fit in with the Manchester United team and he can definitely be an important player there as he has been for us.

Thats the formation id expect John, surprised people have thought otherwise.

Anything Moyes' time at Everton shows is that he loves width from his fullbacks. Rafael would prosper if they had a stronger central midfield to take responsibility. Rafael, with temper in check, has been a bright spark. An Evra replacement is the obvious need.

Mysti, you are too blighted by Zaha induced rage. You know when he's been a good manager and I'm completely sure you know the size of the task hes got on currently.

"Mysti, you are too blighted by Zaha induced rage."

And I was honest enough to admit that I might be(even though it isnt rage!!). You see the brain works in mysterious ways.. You have to try and tap into it and work out what is going on and why we feel the way we do,

BUt all the same. I wouldn't touch Moyes with a barge pole if I owned a club. He has no individual style- no impetus, no philosophy- As much as i think Pulis is a boring manager. At least he understands football - he is 100% confident in what he does... There are just to many things going against Moyes..Just the way Everton are playing under Martinez is a huge tell..

Martinez is benefiting from the house that Moyes built. Its very short termist to see this current period of United under Moyes and suggest he is now a manager you wouldnt want at a club.

I would love Moyes to get sacked and take over at West Ham, over anyone we could possibly get

Be careful of what you wish for Dolph. Be very careful.

But explain your reasoning's?

Why do you think he is a good manager. Why would you rather have him than other managers of his stature?

What has he ever done to suggest he is a top manager?

John wrote:And he said the Mata to chelsea deal had no chance whatsoever.

Just joking ent with you. As for mad for chelsea`s formation idea, that's what I think Moyes` original idea was, of having attacking overlapping fullbacks in the mould of baines,  Coleman n coentrao,  to come and produce n create width in behind a narrow three of mata, rooney n welbeck with januj benched n impacting.

-----------------------rvp---------------
-------welbs---rooney---mata------
------------carrick- fellaini------------
Coentrao------------------------new right back { fullbacks producing width}
     

wellbecks no left winger, he'll be back up to rvp i would have thought with januzaj on the left. but do agree that the full backs is where we are looking to get our width from. think rooney will be going, but signing the likes of mata could be key to keeping him. he's been whinging previous seasons about not signing players. if he looks around and sees players of mata quality etc around him could change his mind

Was speaking to some Chelsea fans today regarding Mata. They all were pretty annoyed. I think the idea of selling Mata was acceptable but selling him to a team who will surely be a rival again within a year or so is short sighted.
United previouly got RVP from a rival, now Mata. Yet United themselves under no circumstances were willing to ship Rooney to a rival.
Makes you wonder if United have under cover agents working for the rival clubs.  
Fully fit, United will have a quality attacking quartet - Rooney, RVP, Mata and Januzaj.
Although the quality is evened out with the likes of Young, Valancia, Cleverly and Fellani.   

will also say we still need a cm, cant play carrick and fellaini together as they are both too slow.

Compelling - I can't stand Welbeck, think he`s appalling, however, for some reason he keeps his place for United & even England. Embarrassing. That's the only reason I put him on the left, agree, Januzaj is far superior. Maybe home games Januzaj & Welbeck`s engine n work rate for away games.

United have basically covered themselves, if, they fail top 4 by buying Mata. Rooney will go & they already have the replacement. Agree, centrally United still have serious issues. Top 4 finish, I'd expect Gundogan to be target number 1.

Any news on Salah from Basle to Chelsea?

Can't play fellani at all because he is crap.

Ship him out this summer, and sell/ partial exchange kagawa to Dortmund. Get Anderson out too.

Buy at least 1 top cm.

Come on John.

Last night was shocking from him, I expected him to step up in that game

But this season he has been bright and tried really hard and even scored goals!!

Come on what? Welbeck is appalling. Nothing will change my view. If you rate Welbeck you need serious help.

Ent - Anderson is gone, expect him permanently gone in summer. Not sure Moyes will discard Fellaini so quickly. Makes him look worse for signing him originally + will be difficult to claw back nearly £30m for him. Kagawa + cash for Gundogan is where I'd be heading, if United get top 4.

Your taking the biscuit.

Come relax,think about it and then tell me again that wellbeck is appalling?

All Welbeck does is run around a lot. Short of the required quality for this level

Don't see United selling Fellani after only one year and having paid so much.
Think Rooney will leave in the summer regardless. Perhaps part of the Mata deal was confirmation of Rooney's signature this summer?
Welbeck is usually good as a foward but just a poor man's Ji-Sung Park as a winger.
Actually think Welbeck would do well at a club like Arsenal where he would play regularly in his preferred CF position.

So do you agree he is appaling?

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Martinez is benefiting from the house that Moyes built. Its very short termist to see this current period of United under Moyes and suggest he is now a manager you wouldnt want at a club.

I would love Moyes to get sacked and take over at West Ham, over anyone we could possibly get

I'd have him at Nodge in a heartbeat

Well you have to realise that Moyes has an issue with the ways of the South London.. He might work in those northern teams. But not this way.

Appalling finisher. Couldn't hit a barn door, couldn't finish his dinner & can't take penalties. The geezer just runs & has a good engine & makes managers happy because he fills an awkward position down the left hand side.