Jose Mourinho counting on Juan Cuadrado to help keep Chelsea at the top of the table difference-maker for Chelsea
Despite the usual pageantry, January's transfer activity concluded with a whimper. The cliched deadline-day dash - that frenzied and uncontrollable sprint towards the till-point, was replaced with a calmer, more reserved jog. The bulk of the veteran shoppers had been and gone, wily enough to know that the best deals are picked up early. But, enticed by an intriguing proposition, Premier League leaders Chelsea did make some last-gasp moves.
Andre Schurrle's troubles at Stamford Bridge have been well-documented and though the German World Cup winner provides plenty of purpose and energy in wide areas, Jose Mourinho wasn't quite convinced by the whole package. Offensively, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen winger is solid and contributes a steady flow of goals. In his first season in England, he made 15 starts and found the net eight times. Still, Mourinho had doubts. Still, Schurrle couldn't nail down a regular place. Defensively, the 24-year-old was lacking. So, ruthless as ever, the Chelsea manager looked for an alternative. Juan Cuadrado has arrived from Serie A side Fiorentina and the Colombian will provide flicks, tricks and, something Mourinho adores (just like his former superior at Barcelona, Louis van Gaal) – versatility.
An ability to play comfortably in a number of positions points to an awareness and intelligence. At Chelsea, a right-back plays on the opposite flank (Cesar Azpilicueta), a centre-half is used as a fullback (Branislav Ivanovic) while Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Oscar, Willian and Ramires all have experience playing a multitude of different roles.
Cuadrado showcased his wing wizardry during last summer's World Cup, where he dazzled alongside James Rodriguez, but he can easily switch flanks. In Italy, he was used on the left side as well as the right, dangerously cutting inside and shooting from distance. Nicknamed “Vespa” during his time in Florence because of his ability to weave around defenders as easily as a scooter dodges traffic, Cuadrado is a blend of exciting throwback and modern, technical all-rounder.
Prior to his time with La Viola, he was used as a wing-back at Udinese and his defensive experience is another reason why Mourinho has made his move. Last January, he allowed Juan Mata to leave for Manchester United because Oscar was more combative and reliable without the ball. Schurrle has been dealt with in a similar way. As much as Cuadrado has been purchased because of his attacking qualities and for what he can contribute in the final third, there's more to his game than goals and assists. Chelsea already have plenty of those.
Closest rivals Manchester City desperately needed a striker and they got a fine one in Wilfried Bony from Swansea. From 43 Premier League starts spread over the last season and a half, the Ivorian has scored 25 goals – averaging one every 151 minutes. As a target man, he's a strong, physical presence and provides Manuel Pellegrini's side with something different.
He will need to tailor his game as David Silva and Sergio Aguero are key attacking elements for City and he'll be expected to gel quickly with the duo. The reigning champions have scored just four times from their last five games and Aguero in particular, has struggled since his return from injury. The Argentine – in such magnificent form across October and November especially, is without a goal since Dec. 3. So, as much as Bony will have to carry the burden of his $42-million price tag, he also shoulders enormous expectation. City need him to start scoring immediately.
Across the rest of the top flight, there was some detail in the fabric of certain low-key moves. At Old Trafford, Darren Fletcher has moved on – swapping Manchester United for West Bromwich Albion. A midfielder who came through the ranks and played many trophy-laden seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson before illness curtailed his career, the 31- year-old joined Wilfried Zaha and the much-maligned Brazilian Anderson in departing. In the cases of the latter two, it said much about the patchy transfer dealings that stained the final few seasons of Ferguson's tenure.
When Anderson was spotted by Ferguson's older brother Martin – a United scout - the message that was sent back to Manchester was “he's better than Rooney”. In fact, upon Anderson's arrival at United in the summer of 2007, the box-to-box midfielder was likened to Paul Scholes and identified as his perfect replacement. In his subsequent seven and a half seasons with the club, Anderson's greatest contribution was scoring a penalty in the Champions League final shootout victory over Chelsea in 2008. Every progressive step was followed by two backward ones.
Zaha cost United $22.7 million in January 2013 when Ferguson brought him in from Crystal Palace. In two years, he started one competitive game. He was loaned to Cardiff and back to Palace as both David Moyes (Ferguson's successor) and Louis van Gaal desperately tried to figure out why he had been signed in the first place. Both he and Anderson, like so many of Ferguson's other ill-fated deals, have quickly been air-brushed from the club's history.
Still, United did finally tie down goalkeeper Victor Valdes to a contract – a move that failed to generate much in the way of headlines or fanfare. The 33-year-old, a crucial component in Pep Guardiola's possession-based Barcelona wonder team, claimed six Spanish league titles and three Champions League championships in his time at the Camp Nou and provides Louis van Gaal with collateral should David de Gea – United's player of the season once again – give in to Real Madrid's heavy flirting.
At 33, Valdes provides immense experience but technical nous, too. With Van Gaal obsessing over United building from the back and with him wanting De Gea to begin attacks by pushing forward from his goal line and opening up the game, it's second nature to Valdes who played the role with such distinction under Guardiola.
One other success story for Premier League clubs in recent days and weeks has been key players committing their long-term futures. At Tottenham, 21-year-old Harry Kane has provided the offensive spark the club so badly needed and has already racked up 20 goals in all competitions this season. An explosive focal point in the Spurs side, his new deal is something for all Spurs fans to celebrate. Likewise, Philippe Coutinho, who has sparkled in recent weeks, will remain at Liverpool until 2020. With Raheem Sterling continuing to blossom and Daniel Sturridge returning to the side after long-term injury, the young Brazilian's new deal provides more good news for a club that's suffered from a dearth of it this term.
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Eoin O'Callaghan is a soccer journalist and broadcaster. Best known in North America for his TV work with Fox Soccer, he has also reported extensively for BBC, RTE and Setanta Sports. He writes about soccer for The Irish Examiner newspaper, beIN Sports, One World Sports and TheScore.ie. Follow him @EoinOCallaghan.
