It was one of the craziest transfer deadline days in living memory with City’s takeover and outlandish bid for Berbatov stealing the headlines. In the end City had to make do with Robinho (which is something I’m still finding difficult to type let alone understand), while Berbatov made his inevitable move from Spurs to the red side of Manchester.
Elsewhere it all seems a lot less glamorous but there were nonetheless a few deals that us fantasy managers will need to mull over during the international break. Here’s my brief views on some of the day’s most notable arrivals.
First off we have to start with looking at the Berbatov situation. While City’s bid introduced some fun into proceedings, a move to Eastlands never really looked on the cards. United got their man and now we have to consider just how he is likely to fit into the United puzzle. Presumably he’ll be set for 30+ Premiership appearances with Tevez and Rooney rotated around him. Ferguson could even have a new role in mind for Rooney which may involve drifting out wide *shudder*.
Hesitation is rarely a good thing but in the case of Berbatov and United perhaps it’s the best the tactic. United have tough fixtures against Liverpool and Chelsea next and those two games should give us time to work out the role the Berbatov will play and the effect he’ll have on the roles adopted by Tevez and Rooney.
Tottenham got Frazier Campbell on loan for the season as part of the Berbatov deal. Interesting one that – although it would appear that Campbell will likely play second fiddle to new signing Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent, I can’t see the deal being made if the young striker was going to be limited to just a handful of games. I’m still thinking that Ramos opting for one striker with Bentley or dos Santos in support, particularly away from home but this signing would suggest that he perhaps has a more conventional 4-4-2 in mind. Campbell would offer some potential then if he can command a starting role – that looks a big “if” though.
Next up there’s Robinho at City to consider. Unlike Berbatov at United, we could never had anticipated this particular scenario but we’re going to have to get used to it. The first consideration is just how Robinho will be classed across the games – he should come into the games as a Forward in which case you’d certainly expect him to be just below Torres and Adeabyor in the pricing and up there in the same bracket as Berbatov/Tevez/Santa Cruz.
If that is the case I can’t see him being a popular fantasy purchase. While he’ll harvest in plenty of man-of-the-match awards and FPL bonus points, he is certainly not an out-and-out goal machine who is likely to threaten the 20 goal mark. He’s averaged a goal every four appearances for Madrid.
Alternatively, like Ronaldo, he’ll be classed in midfield and arrive at a similar price bracket to Gerrard and Lampard – in which case he could represent better value in some of the games. That would depend on his role in the City side which certainly poses a whole new set of questions. It appears the Hughes is likely to turn to Robinho to play alongside fellow Brazilian Jo or at least play just off the tall striker. That would see Wright-Phillips confined to the right wing rather than playing in the hole as he did so effectively at Sunderland. Alternatively Robinho could be used out wide but it seems unlikely that someone like Wright-Phillips will be deployed in a central position while Robinho is shifted wide.
Can Hughes build a side with Wright-Phillips, Petrov, Robinho, Elano and Ireland in midfield? It seems unlikely. Something or someone will have to give as a result of Robinho’s arrival and while Elano looks favourite to be marginalised, this transfer could also influence the returns of Wright-Phillips and Petrov who will certainly be in a week-to-week dogfight for FPL bonus points and man-of-the-match awards.
Elsewhere, Liverpool wrapped up the signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol – a deal which has been doing the rounds for several weeks of course. Riera gives Rafa options on the left of midfield and he could offer some fantasy potential but with plenty of uncertainty surrounding Rafa’s selection and formation, and of course Riera’s credentials, I can’t see many takers for him just yet. Riera was on loan at Man City in 2005 and didn’t exactly set the world alight in his 15 appearances. He joined Espanyol from City and made 72 appearances scoring 8 goals.
Steve Finnan has gone the other way in a 2 year deal. That leaves Rafa with Arbeloa and Degan contesting the right back spot. The Swiss defender is still sidelined with injury so Arbeloa has a clear run of starts for the next month or so.
On the blue side of Merseyside, Everton were quietly smashing their transfer record with the £15 million signing of Belgian international Marouane Fellaini. The midfielder is truly an imposing figure, standing at 6ft 4in – not surprisingly then he’s a handful in the air but is also known as a true box-to-box midfielder who will certainly add plenty of presence to the Everton midfield.
Still only 20-years-old, Fellaini is a prospect rather than the finished article – 11 goals in 79 appearances tells you that he’s by no means an obvious fantasy signing. His arrival should certainly lift Everton’s season though and should benefit the output of their players. It’s also likely to see Jagielka make the move back into defence which could see Lescott shifted to left back once again with Baines dropping out. In other words, expect a shake-up at Everton as a result of this signing.
George McCartney has rejoined Sunderland from West Ham for an undisclosed fee (although a staggering £6 million has been mentioned). That leaves just Lucas Neill and young Joe Widdowson to cover the left back spot while Behrami is employed at right back. McCartney will compete with Collins and Bardsley – the latter having been deployed at left back for the last couple of games. Keane cleared his decks in defence somewhat but selling Higginbotham back to Stoke.
Stoke also signed Tom Soares from Palace and Michael Tonge from Sheffield United to boost their midfield options – sound Championship players who should give them further resolve to fight the drop but hardly major fantasy considerations.
Finally, Newcastle brought in Ignacio “Nacho” Gonzalez and Francisco “Xisco” Jimenez Tejada. The latter could be a decent prospect and at 6ft 2in, will provide some height to the Newcastle forward line while Viduka is still sidelined. The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals in 44 appearances for Deportivo La Coruna. Gonzalez meanwhile arrives on a season-long loan deal from Valencia. The attacking midfielder comes with a decent goal record having scored 45 goals in 170 appearances for his Uruguyan club Danubio before joining Valencia.