The Premier League was very active during the winter transfer window
The January transfer window has ended with some of the English Premier League clubs acquiring new players. Some of those signings were anticipated since after the World Cup in December, whereas some were done as a rapid damage-control measures after a few key players suffered injuries.
We will try to analyze three big signings made in the January transfer window by the Premier League clubs. Let’s get on with it:
Marcel Sabitzer (Manchester United):
Manchester United wasted no time in signing Sabitzer from Bayern Munich after Christian Eriksen suffered an ankle injury against Reading last week that might force him out of action for at least three months.
The 28-year-old Austrian defensive midfielder was signed as a replacement on loan as a quick replacement for Eriksen. Sabitzer might find it difficult to replicate Eriksen’s enviable passing range, but can probably add more defensively.
With United predominantly playing with a 4-2-3-1 formation, Sabitzer should be fighting with Fred for a place in the starting line-up as the second defensive midfielder alongside Casemiro, who has been brilliant for United thus far.
The Red Devils are aiming for a top-four finish this season and Sabitzer might play a key role in ensuring that Old Trafford sees UEFA Champions League action next season.
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea):
Chelsea paid a record fee to sign the 22-year-old Fernandez, who shined in the World Cup winning campaign for Argentina, from Benfica on the last day of January. They parted with Jorginho and with N’Golo Kante still recovering from an injury, the Blues will need Fernandez to fulfil the expectations he was signed with.
Fernandez has very good positional sense and can also distribute the ball fairly well. He also has a calming influence that is usually the hallmark of great defensive midfielders. He should help Chelsea get their act together in the Premier League and also improve their standing in the table.
Fernandez should be starting alongside Mateo Kovacic in Chelsea’s midfield and with the Croatian providing the physical presence and work-rate, Fernandez will be required to spread the ball around from the deep judiciously. It remains to be seen how much he will succeed in doing that.
Jorginho (Arsenal):
The 31-year-old Jorginho might win his first Premier League title this season as Arsenal are looking good enough to be champions at the moment. The Italian defensive midfielder was signed from city-rivals Chelsea as a potential cover for the influential Thomas Partey, who suffered a rib-injury against Manchester City in the FA Cup last week.
However, Partey’s injury is not very serious and should he return to action soon enough, Jorginho will find it difficult to be a part of the starting eleven for the Gunners. Both Partey and Granit Xhaka have done a commendable job for Arsenal this season and hence, Jorginho might only be able to fill in as a substitute.
Still, his experience and clever passing will be an asset for the Gunners as the title-race intensifies in the second half of the season. Moreover, as Mohamed Elneny has also suffered an injury, Jorginho’s signing might boost the Gunners’ ambitions.