The final day of the winter transfer window was largely uneventful, with only Chelsea prepared to spend big to bolster their title bid. Here’s a quick rundown on the main deals that went through by 11pm, with Scout Reports and Moving Target features to follow over the next few days.
Juan Cuadrado – Fiorentina to Chelsea
With Andre Schurrle leaving for Wolfsburg earlier in the day, Jose Mourinho boosted his options in the final third by snapping up the Colombian from Fiorentina as Mo Salah headed out to the Serie A side on loan. Versatile enough to play in any of the three attacking midfield slots, Cuadrado’s best hopes of barging into the Blues’ first XI could be on the right flank at the expense of Willian, who has managed just a single goal and assist in 22 league appearances. Cuadrado arrives on the back of four goals and as many assists in Serie A this season but whilst he may manage to get past Willian on the right, he faces a tougher challenge to oust Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Oscar in our Fantasy affections. Coming in at 8.5, he’s slightly more expensive than Oscar (8.4) ahead of showdowns against Villa, Everton and Burnley in the next three.
Robert Huth – Stoke to Leicester
Having played just four minutes for Stoke this season, it’s fair to say that a loan move to the King Power Stadium should boost the German’s chances of greater pitch time. The Foxes have been far from resilient so far and managed just four clean sheets – given that skipper Wes Morgan has played all but one league match, there’s a fear that the 4.7-priced Huth’s arrival could threaten Marcin Wasilewski’s run of 14 straight starts and potentially deprive us of a 4.0-priced starter in our 15-man squads. Banned for Gameweek 24, Huth then faces three difficult road trips (ars, eve, mci) with a blank Gameweek 27 prior to his visit to the Etihad. With three goals and an assist to his name, though, Jeffrey Schlupp’s out of position potential on the left flank has already served up three goals and the Ghanaian, at 4.5, is the most appealing option here.
Wilfried Zaha and Lee Chung-yong – Man United and Bolton to Crystal Palace
Zaha’s loan deal at Selhurst Park was made permanent by Alan Pardew after he failed to convince at United, whilst Lee joins in a deal that sees Barry Bannan move to the Reebok on loan. Despite praising Zaha’s recent loan displays, the new Eagles boss has started him in just one of his first three Gameweeks in charge and turned to the 5.1-priced midfielder as an impact sub late on in matches. Although Yannick Bolasie could potentially still be out of the picture for two more league outings, Pardew also has Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon offering alternatives out wide, suggesting Zaha and Lee face a struggle to nail down a spot in the XI. For now, Puncheon’s two goals and an assist in three under Pardew has made the biggest impression. Over 85,000 snapped him up last week ahead of upcoming clashes with Leicester, Newcastle, West Ham and QPR in the next six, though the Eagles’ numerous options out wide clearly offer Pardew the option to chop and change.
Filip Duricic – Benfica to Southampton
Having sold Jack Cork to Swansea on Friday, Ronald Koeman bolstered his central midfield options by acquiring the Serbian on loan from Benfica until the end of the season. An attacking midfielder, Duricic has fallen out of favour at his parent club and failed to impress at a loan stint with Mainz 05 earlier this season, with no goals or assists over 11 appearances. His arrival merely adds to Koeman’s options out wide, though, and with Dusan Tadic, Sadio Mane and Eljero Elia all vying for the spots on the flanks, Duricic faces a tough task to break into the Saints’ XI.
Aaron Lennon – Tottenham to Everton
Roberto Martinez bolstered his attacking options by snapping up the Tottenham winger on loan until the end of the season. A peripheral figure at the Lane, Lennon has played just eight minutes from Gameweek 15 onwards and he’ll be hoping a move to Goodison can reignite his flagging career. At 6.2, he’s cheaper than Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley, but with the likes of Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith also offering Roberto Martinez options on the right, it remains to be seen whether he can nail down a regular role in his new surrounds.
Davide Santon – Newcastle to Inter Milan
The Italian’s loan return to his native country lessens the competition at left-back for Newcastle under John Carver. Santon has failed to break into the Magpies’ XI since recovering from injury and the new man in charge has instead turned to Massadio Haidara in the last two matches. At just 4.1, Haidara strengthened his case for a regular role by serving up an assist in the weekend win at Hull, serving up an 11-point return in the process. Next up, it’s Stoke, Palace and Villa in the following four.
