With the transfer window officially open we can now brace ourselves for the four-week circus that comes around every January. Some say that it is the wrong time to do business, although you can’t help feel that certain managers will be delving into the transfer market in the coming weeks. To celebrate the opening of the window we decided to look at the 20 most surprising transfers of all time. In it feature the funny transfers that saw players at the back end of their career make one last attempt at avoiding an early retirement as well as the not so funny transfers featuring the players who were brave enough to cross the divide between fierce rivals. From Juninho to Johnston, these players were in the headlines for startling the football world with their shocking moves.
Click on Mo Johnston to unveil the top 20
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The risk of ‘moving up too soon’ is a debate that typically refers to those on the pitch rather than in the dugout. At present, arguments are erupting over whether young starlets Wilfried Zaha and Tom Ince are good enough to grace the Premier League with their presence, but what about the beautiful game’s most promising managers, are they also guilty of seeking a crack at the big time before they’re ready?
When a new managerial vacancy becomes available, there are two types of candidates: the reputable unemployed and those currently working wonders elsewhere. The financially viable option is to appoint those currently without a job but they are often tainted by recent failures, which means many clubs are lured in by those who are highly-rated but under-qualified.
Bolton’s pursuit of Dougie Freedman is the perfect case in point. At the start of the season, Crystal Palace look destined for another relegation battle but a series of shrewd transfers and tactical tweaks propelled the club up the table. Freedman converted Selhurst Park into a fortress, but more importantly he was gradually compiling the components needed for an effective promotion push.
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Elsewhere the Trotters had grown tired of Owen Coyle’s unfulfilled potential and instead turned their attentions to another talented Scotsman. Freedman insisted he ‘didn’t like leaving jobs half finished’ and with the Eagles fourth in late October, supporters were convinced he would remain in South London.
Less than a week later, Bolton’s crumbling status as a ‘big club’ had successfully enticed Freedman to abandon his post at Palace and while the arrival of Ian Holloway has preserved the Eagles’ position near the top of the table, Bolton sit in 16th place, ten points adrift the playoffs and a further four points from Palace. Freedman has managed to apply the brakes on Bolton’s decline, but expectations of a rapid ascent remain increasingly optimistic.
In the Premier League, it would be appear that the grass isn’t greener for the managerial duo who departed their recently promoted clubs after a successful debut in the top flight. Brendan Rodgers has struggled to implement his playing philosophy at Liverpool, while Swansea continue to thrive under Michael Laudrup. In addition, Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa find themselves wallowing in the relegation zone, seven points behind Norwich.
However, both managers are fortunate to possess the full backing of those seated above them, a rare luxury in a league that boasts several trigger-happy chairmen. Both men are instigating a period of transition at their new club and will require an unrelenting level of patience before we see results. However, does either man possess the respect of his players needed to do so? Rodgers especially, much like Andre Villas-Boas can’t claim the illustrious playing career in which many players respond to.
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I find it difficult to resent a manager for grabbing a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity, especially when the security of such positions are always vulnerable. However, while a player’s career can be ended in an instant from a bad tackle, managers are not under the same threat. They can take their time, to nurture both themselves and the players around them, but when that golden carrot is dangled in front of you, who among us could refuse a bite?
Everton manager David Moyes has played down concerns over striker Nikica Jelavic’s goal drought at Goodison Park.
The Croatian hitman has gone nine games without a goal for the Toffees and has scored just once in the past three months.
Jelavic joined Everton just over a year ago and has already notched 18 times for the club but the current drought has hindered Moyes’ side in recent weeks.
Belgian ace Kevin Mirallas was bought in the summer to support Jelavic in attack but he himself has only scored four times this season leaving midfielder Marouane Fellaini to lead the Merseyside club’s goal tally.
Everton have slipped out of the running for a top four spot in recent weeks but are still going strong in the FA Cup where they have a winnable quarter final tie against Wigan.
Moyes is frustrated with his sides’ lack of goals lately but he admitted that every good striker goes through a baron spell and that Jelavic will come through it soon.
“All forwards go through periods like this in their careers and all the good ones will tell you that it happens,” Moyes told the Daily Mirror.
“It looks like he’s getting closer and he’s missed one or two recently.
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“Because of that, it gives me hope and I believe he will score and get more goals. Everybody is supporting him and we know how important he is.”
Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel says that his sides big-game players will thrive when it comes down to the business end of the season, according to the Sun.
Tottenham were on a three game losing streak until their 2-1 win over Swansea on Saturday, with Wales winger Bale yet again the difference .
The London club now have a busy period ahead of them starting tomorrow, as they face Swiss side Basel in the Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Andre Villas-Boas and his men then have a tough home game against Everton before they’re back on their travels again, with the return leg of the Europa League in Basel, Switzerland.
But American keeper Friedel is looking forward to the run in: “I think it is better for us that we now have some tough games coming up.
“The bigger the game, the more the players will step up to the plate.”
Brad Friedel is Andre Villas-Boas’ first choice keeper when it comes to European games, and the former Blackburn keeper insists the win at Swansea on Saturday just goes to show that him and his teammates hold no nerves after their recent blip.
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He added: “It might be nervy for the people who think about it and watch it but in-house we know what we want to do.”
Park Ji-Sung is to meet with boss Harry Redknapp at the end of the season to discuss his future after claims he could quit the game.
The South Korean has suffered a miserable time with injuries this season with the 32-year-old managing just 22 appearances for QPR this season.
In addition to his struggles with injuries, the club’s fight against relegation from the Premier League has taken its toll and the £2million summer signing from Manchester United is reconsidering his future in the game, according to his father.
“Nobody knows the future, but I think he has made his mind up to retire. He thinks he’s played enough,” the player’s father said.
“He’s never had times like this with PSV Eindhoven or Manchester United. My son has had difficult times at QPR this season; it was a new experience to him.
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“Ji-Sung said it’s difficult to keep his feel for the game as his playing time is inconsistent, but he doesn’t have any hard feelings.”
West Brom ‘are in a good position’ to take loan striker Romelu Lukaku back to the Hawthorns next season, according to Steve Clarke.
The Baggies boss snapped up 19-year-old Lukaku on loan last summer and the youngster has been a huge success at the Hawthorns with 13 Premier League goals to his name to date.
Clarke has always maintained that he would like to take Lukaku on loan for another season, although Swansea and Italian side Fiorentina have emerged as potential suitors with both able to offer the player European football.
Chelsea are also waiting to see who replaces interim coach Rafael Benitez in the summer – and if they are successful in bringing in another striker – which would allow Lukaku to be loaned out again.
But Clarke is in no doubt that Albion will be at the front of the queue if the opportunity to re-sign Lukaku emerges.
He told the Birmingham Mail: “Nobody knows where he will be next season even though I keep getting asked this.
“Next season the parent club will decide whether to keep him or let him go out on loan.
“All I would say is that if he goes back out on loan I think we’re in a good position to get him again.
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“He loves it here, he’s been positive about the club, he’s been nominated for young player of the year, which tells you that he’s had a good season, so I think he will be happy here.”
Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino has rejected talk Chelsea will sign Saints’ teenage ace Luke Shaw over the close season.
The left-back has been one of the south-coast club’s stand-out players this campaign and has been linked with Chelsea in recent weeks.
The 17-year-old is tipped to have a huge future in the game and has attracted plenty of scouts to St Mary’s this season after some outstanding displays at full-back.
Chelsea are thought to be weighing up a summer offer but Pochettino, when asked about the speculation, rejected those claims and even suggested the Londoners should be more concerned about Saints trying to sign their players this summer.
He said: “Perhaps we will go and get some Chelsea players ourselves. I think that [executive chairman] Nicola Cortese staying is the best possible news for next season.
“That is very good for the squad, for the whole club. We will talk about the summer and the budgets with Nicola.”
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Tomorrow marks the very last day of this year’s summer and the only souvenir you will have are the memories, the tan and the Facebook photos you took at Zante with your mates. Some of you didn’t have a good summer for various reasons; some got caught up on work, others had to retake a university course, others got dumped by their girlfriends and some others got a second degree burn at their holiday at Magaluf.
If you belong in the second category then don’t despair our dear reader because we know a very well known person who also had a bad summer and that is Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger.
The 63-year-old has been facing countless complaints from all sides because of the lack of signings and the poor image the squad showed last season. Arsenal seem to be pulling it together lately with two wins against Fenerbahce for the Champions League qualifiers and an impressive victory against Fulham at the Cottage. However, yesterday Luis Figo’s touch drew the Gunners alongside last year’s Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, old foe Marseille and Rafa Benitez’s Napoli.
Besides the difficult upcoming Champions League matches, the North London club has only managed to sign Yaya Sanogo and former Gooner Mathieu Flamini both on free transfer. Arsenal missed out on all of their big targets such as Gonzalo Higuain, David Villa and Stevan Jovetic and the transfer window slams shut in just three days. Wenger will have to rely on his current talent but unfortunately Lukas Podolski, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta are all suffering from injuries.
The Gunners don’t seem to be able to convince anyone but there is one thing that can turn all that contempt around and that is a win this Sunday against the North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
A triumph against Spurs would bring Arsenal back on the map as the best club in North London and, as a result, one of the best Premier League teams. This turn of events would restore serenity at the Emirates and would give an enormous morale boost to the manager, the players and the supporters.
Even if the Gunners don’t manage to advance to the Round of 16 in Europe they will still have the upper hand when it comes to the top four places of the Premier League. During his 17-year-reign at Arsenal, Wenger has never failed to advance in the Champions League and with that win the streak can definitely continue.
In addition, Spurs have improved drastically this season, even though they are losing Gareth Bale, as they have signed top quality players such as Paulinho, Nacer Chadli, Roberto Soldado, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela. If the Gunners overcome a squad as greatly as improved as Tottenham then they can definitely pose a threat to all the other big clubs and possibly return to the title picture as serious contenders.
Numerous parties around Europe are not expecting much from Wenger’s team but after a good Sunday all their opponents might be alarmed and lose a lot of their confidence ahead of their clash with the North London team. Every European team are expected to be extra careful when they play an English club, especially at the away matches, but some get too tight in their game and thus are prone to mistakes on the back and midfield.
All sounds good but the best thing that will happen after an Emirates triumph is that the media will finally calm down. Wenger is no stranger to press conference outbursts but his latest in Constantinople shows that he has really had enough. But if his squad gets the better out of the North London derby and vanquishes their rivals then the media will have no other choice but to praise the Frenchman and his team.
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For the sake of argument though we need to admit that it is still too early in the Premier League, as proven by last week’s bore between Manchester United and Chelsea. Spurs have not yet reached their absolute potential which is shown by their two penalty wins against Crystal Palace and Swansea. The arrival of former Roma forward Erik Lamela is also expected to strengthen the front line, assist Soldado and offer some extra solutions to manager Andre Villas-Boas.
Other sceptics might debate Spurs’ quality and start comparing them to Arsenal’s Champions League opponents. Not sure about Marseille or Napoli, even though the latter have been reinforced greatly albeit Edinson Cavani’s departure, but Dortmund seem to impose the same threat as last year. Jurgen Klopp’s squad didn’t lose any key players and have instead strengthened greatly with the acquisitions of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
If Wenger wants to erase all that moaning then he will have to work extra hard for a win that could give his club the bragging rights of the best North London squad. If Arsenal win on Sunday then it is safe to say that from then on things will be looking up and the Frenchman will at least get to have a happy end to this summer.
Recent figures suggest that Ipswich Town might be in financial trouble despite the managing directors telling the fans not to worry.
Whilst it is reassuring to hear that the club won’t be going bankrupt any time soon, the effects of the debt on the club’s long-term future is also being downplayed.
Much like other Championship sides every year the club loses money, last year Ipswich lost £15 million and this year that figure was down to a loss of £9.8 million.
Right now these loses are being added to the club’s existing debt but we are being told not to worry because the money is not owed to a bank, it is currently owed to Marcus Evans. My understanding is that around half of the club’s debt was accumulated before Marcus Evans bought the club and the other half has mounted up under his control.
The directors are right in certain respects and there is no need to panic, but there is still reason to worry about the club’s long term future. As long as Marcus Evans owns the Suffolk side then yes, we don’t have to worry, but what will happen if he decides he wants to sell the club?
I can’t imagine there are many people in the world willing to blow £82 million to pay off Ipswich’s debt then buy the club for a start. Hopefully Evans will stick around for many years to come but none of the directors have addressed this issue because they know that there is no answer that can satisfy the fans.
Secondly, everyone has a false idea that if the team gain promotion to the Premier League then everything will be fine. Think about this logically, in a hypothetical situation if Ipswich, Leicester and Burnley were to be promoted this season then how much would each club look to spend to survive? How would Ipswich be capable of investing in their team as much as Leicester or Burnley, or even any other lower Premier League side if they use their promotion money to pay off their debt?
Of course promotion would be financially helpful, but my point is that it is not a complete instant fix as you need to invest a competitive sum of money into the team in order to have a productive season on the pitch.
It is also frustrating to hear that the club cannot pay local suppliers on time due to cash flow issues and some of the unpaid suppliers also suffered when the club previously went into administration. A football club like Ipswich should not be having such issues and should not be treating local companies in this way.
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If Evans can afford to rack up £82 million worth of debt then surely he can roll out a bit of cash to stop the club harming these small businesses?
I don’t want to sound anti-Evans, it is important to remember that without him the club could well be non-existent. My main issue is that the current directors often play down the effect of the club’s huge debt, and the reality is that even in the best case scenario it will hinder the Tractor Boys future to a certain degree.
Manchester United boss David Moyes admits his side’s poor start to the Premier League season is completely down to him, reports talkSPORT.
United face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League tonight, on the back of successive home defeats at Old Trafford, knowing another loss at home would see them finish second in their group, leaving them open to a second round meeting with one of Europe’s giants.
And with questions over his ability to emulate the success Sir Alex Ferguson achieved at the club, Moyes has taken full responsibility for what is being widely regarded as a crisis at Manchester United.
“I take full responsibility for the results. It is tough because the expectancy is to win all the games and the results have not been good in the Premier League,” Moyes said.
“Generally we’d like to play better. We would like to pass better, to create more chances, I’d like to defend better when those moments arise.
“I don’t think it is any one thing, it is all round we are trying to improve.”
And Moyes also admitted that recent results in the Premier League have left the players hurting and that the club as whole is experiencing a transitional period.
“They players are hurting because they are used to winning,” he added.
“When they don’t win it hurts them. They care very much about the team and the club. They are good lads and they will respond in the right way.
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“It is a transitional period for the whole football club, not just me and the players. The biggest transition is that a manager who was here for 26 years has now moved on and a new manager has come in.”
If United lose tonight it will be the first time they have lost three home games in succession since autumn 1962.