January Transfer Recap – How did West London Clubs Fare in the Transfer Window?
The 2022 January transfer window felt like a return to normality somewhat, with clubs around the country strengthening and loosening their purse strings after the Covid-19 pandemic forced clubs to save some money due to their decline in income over the past few years. For Brentford, Chelsea, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers, there were differing levels of transfer activity with both incomings and outgoings, and here we look at how each club is looking heading into the second half of the season. For those looking for odds on Premier League and Championship winners, promotion and relegation races, they can use any of the top UK gambling sites.
Chelsea
It was certainly a frustrating window for the Blues, with speculation that Thomas Tuchel would bring in at least one wing back to bolster their squad as they try to stay in the title race never coming to pass. The season-ending injury to left back Ben Chilwell and long-term injury to right back Reece James, both of whom were putting in stellar performances in the early part of the season has left Tuchel in the lurch somewhat, forcing him to rely on less effective players in those positions. Chelsea were linked with Lucas Digne from Everton and attempted to bring back Emerson Palmieri from loan at French side Lyon but failed on both counts. With the title seemingly out of their grasp, it is essential that Tuchel’s side turn their shaky form around and secure a top four spot, and their lack of transfer activity to improve the first-team squad this January will frustrate fans. They did manage to bring Kenedy back from his loan at Flamengo, who will compete with Marcos Alonso for the left back spot, and signed youngsters Dylan Williams from Derby, Travis Akomeah on a free from Watford and Mason Burstow from Charlton, with Burstow returning to The Valley for the remainder of the season. In terms of outgoings, Lewis Baker left the club after 16 years, as the midfielder joined Stoke on a permanent deal, while Jamie Cumming, Juan Castillo and Tino Anjorin all left on loan. Tariq Uwakwe also left on a permanent deal, joining Crewe Alexandra.
Brentford
Brentford have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League this season, and find themselves eight points clear of the drop zone with 15 games left to play. They are by no means out of trouble and could find themselves in a fight to stay up, but certainly look well placed to stay up this year. It was a fairly quiet window for the bees, but they did make one of the most eye-catching signings of the entire window, bringing Christian Eriksen in on a short-term deal. Eriksen, who collapsed during last year’s Euro 2020 tournament has been working hard to return to football and was given the opportunity to work with Thomas Frank, having already worked with him in Denmark’s youth set up many years ago. After signing his Danish compatriot, Frank said: “What happened to him in June was crazy, a shock for us all,” Frank said. “So to see him out on the pitch is going to be a big day. I am glad that Christian and his family are fine and comfortable with him playing football again. “With this crazy experience he chose to do something he knows: the Premier League, London, a club where he knows some of his teammates, and he has a connection to me. Imagine speaking to our fans when we were in League One and saying we would be in the Premier League in six or seven years’ time and he would be playing for Brentford. It is a little miracle.” If Eriksen can find the form he is capable of producing, this could be the kind of signing that can transform an entire football club. He is undoubtedly a world-class player on his day, and Brentford fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of seeing him don the red and white stripes. On top of the signing of Eriksen, the Bees also brought in goalkeeper Jonas Lossl as cover for David Raya, who has been injured for most of the season but has recently returned to fitness.
Fulham
Fulham are currently flying high at the top of the Championship table and look set to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Liverpool full back Neco Williams was the Cottagers only signing in the January transfer window, but deadline day was more about who they kept hold of than who they brought in. 19-year-old Portuguese starlet Fabio Carvalho looked to be headed to Liverpool, but the deal fell through in the final hours of deadline day and Carvalho will stay at Fulham at least until the end of the season. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hinted that they would return to Fulham to try and seek a deal out for Carvalho in the summer, saying: “We are still interested, it would be crazy if not. But at the moment it’s not in our hands. I think Marco [Silva] said in his press conference. It was late so it didn’t work out but we’ll see what happens.” Liverpool could be facing competition from some of Europe’s elite clubs, with Real Madrid and Barcelona linked too, but the Reds certainly look in pole position to complete the deal in the Summer.
Queens Park Rangers
QPR are well in the mix for the automatic promotion slots in the Championship, currently finding themselves in fourth place in England’s second tier. They brought in David Marshall from Derby, Dion Sanderson on loan from Wolves, and Rafferty Pedder on free following his release from Spurs’ youth setup. Their main signing was bringing in Jeff Hendrick on loan from Newcastle, who will bolster their midfield. Following the window, manager Mark Warburton hailed his current crop of players the best he’s had at his disposal since his arrival in 2019. He said: “These are a tough last 18 games, but if you look at the squad now it looks like a squad of men. We still have a lot of young players, but they are men that can deal with the tough run of games coming up. You have to have the experience to deal with big games like Sheffield United away, Fulham, Millwall away on a Tuesday night, Blackburn away on a Saturday lunchtime – you need to have players that can deal with those situations.”
