While the first couple of weeks of the Premier League season are by no means pointless they usually maintain a table that is very different from the one at the conclusion. Part of this is because good teams not only win but win consistently, and by Christmas or earlier, the table is more settled. Furthermore, not all of the teams have their rosters finalized. August the 31st serves as the deadline for clubs to pursue last-minute talent to bolster, and to some extent rejuvenate, their roster for the upcoming season. While the summer transfer window is expansive the allure of the final day usually produces a couple of headline player acquisitions while also rapidly changing to dynamic of a league. While the 2012 edition of the deadline didn’t include any massive movements it certainly had some important transfers that may shift the power rankings in the league ever so slightly. Here are the biggest and smartest last minute transfers of the 2012 summer transfer window:
Julio Cesar- Inter Milan to Queen’s Park Rangers
Queen’s Park Rangers were the most active team in the Premier League summer transfer window and continued to stockpile talent up until the end. Brazil’s International goalkeeper joined the side as one of the final transfers the London side made. It may also turn out to be one of their best. While Cesar may no longer be considered the best goalkeeper in the world he is still certainly a quality keeper who will provide QPR with plenty of security between the sticks. This move essentially ensures that Rangers will not have to endure any more 5-0 losses at home or on the road which supporters should be happy about. Furthermore it will give the QPR defense more flexibility as Cesar is certainly an improvement from 2010 England keeper Robert Green. Cesar will not be the best keeper in the EPL but his inclusion makes it highly improbable that QPR will be relegated as some have speculated.
Moussa Dembele- Fulham to Spurs
At only 25 Dembele has plenty of time to fully realize his potential. That potential, as Spurs fans fully experienced this weekend against Norwich, could make this transfer a blockbuster. Usually known as a midfielder who is more likely to create a goal then score one himself Dembele took matters into his own hands during his debut at White Hart Lane scoring a goal that demonstrated plenty of talent. Dembele was the first of two key Fulham midfielders to join Tottenham and while Clint Dempsey will most likely have the more immediate impact at Spurs it will be Dembele who proves the long-term spark in the midfield providing he stays with the club. While Dembele is no replacement for Modric, who provided the midfield opening for himself and Dempsey, Tottenham have done a solid piece of business in acquiring the Belgian international.
Andy Caroll- Liverpool to West Ham (Loan)
Caroll was never going to live up to his price tag after being acquired by Liverpool for 35 million pounds from a Newcastle club who were very intent on keeping the striker who had scored them 11 goals in 20 matches the year before. Not only did Caroll have a huge price tag hanging over his head but there was also the fact that he would be expected to fill to boots of one of the Premier League’s more prolific goalscorers, Fernando Torres. Needless to say it did not work out for Caroll with the Reds but that is exactly why heading to Capital may bring out his best. In his debut against Fulham he created two of the three West Ham goals and looked right at home with a club expected to have their fair share of problems staying afloat this campaign. With less of a spotlight on Caroll he may regain his form. If all plays out correctly this could be a transfer beneficial to both clubs as Caroll could return to Anfield full of confidence he did not have when he left.
Joey Barton- Queen’s Park Rangers to Marseille
QPR supporters should be relieved that the Barton era at Loftus Road has come to a conclusion. The former Rangers captain was never deserving of the arm band as he tweeted and twated his way out of the door. His antics against Manchester City in a late season fixture last year were childish at best as he was red carded in a game that was very important for the side for which he was supposedly skipper. Truth be told after this it was the sooner QPR could package Barton out the door the better and it finally became reality at the transfer deadline as the controversial midfielder joined Ligue 1 side Marseille. For Marseille this transfer really is confusing unless they can be the catalyst for change in Barton, which at his age doesn’t seem very probable. For Queen’s Park Rangers they will move on to bigger and most likely better things.
Dimitar Berbatov- Manchester United to Fulham
Fulham was certainly one of the biggest losers at the transfer deadline but they did manage to save themselves slightly by adding a proven Premier League striker. Berbatov joins Fulham after becoming surplus to Manchester United’s requirements as United have plenty of exceptional assets in their attack. However, Berbatov could turn surplus into success with Fulham as he has proven on many different occasions that when given a chance he can score consistently. Berbatov will help to make the Fulham attack far more threatening and will provide a small band-aid for the gapping wound left by the departure of Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele. At 31 Berbatov will not have much left in the tank come the next couple of years but if Fulham can find a way to get him the ball in the right areas 10-15 Premier League goals would clearly not be out of the question.
Nigel De Jong- Manchester City to AC Milan
One narrative that it seemed would not play out at the deadline would include Manchester City, the club with enough money to buy essentially any player they desire, losing a quality player. Yet with the departure of Dutch international Nigel De Jong that very narrative has been realized. It will not be a huge loss for City who had plenty of other interest on the day. Yet it will be a loss that they will feel in the future. De Jong brings a physical presence (some would say dirty play) to the midfield that few other players on the market offer. He is the kind of depth midfielder that would have been a great tool for a Manchester City team who are hoping to succeed both domestically and in continental competition this campaign. De Jong may have seen himself as a starting player and therefore forced the move to Milan, which is likely the case, but in the process City will lose a player with a fairly unique set of skills. For Milan De Jong may have issues adjusting to the Italian style of play but once he does he will become a very effective midfielder.
Clint Dempsey- Fulham to Spurs
Dempsey turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the 2011-12 Premier League season when he lit up the league for a Fuham side who essentially needed as much. Dempsey transformed into one of the most dangerous midfield generals in the Premier League and it seemed almost inevitable that he would leave London to upgrade to a bigger club. While Dempsey would never leave London he would change clubs joining Fulham teammate Moussa Dembele as part of the Tottenham midfield reconstruction which was demolished when Luka Modric left the club for Real Madrid. Dempsey, like Dembele is not Modric but between the two they should turn into an adequate replacement for the Croatian. With an improvement of quality around him Dempsey could turn out to be a bargain transfer for AVB and Tottenham.
Micheal Essien- Chelsea to Real Madrid (Loan)
For Micheal Essien a change of scenery may be a wise decision. Arguably no scenery is better for a change then that of the Spanish capital. Real Madrid are by far a better side then Chelsea, despite the fact that it was Chelsea who claimed the Champions League title rather then Madrid. Essien will undoubtedly be a depth player on a roster that includes some of the best names in club and international football but that shouldn’t bother him in the slightest. It may in fact be crucial for his longevity as Essien’s decreased playing time should decrease the chance of creating the type of injury that has continually plagued him in the past. Essien should get to play some European football here and there while also being an excellent piece for Madrid to use in the Copa Del Rey. It seems quite surprising that this move was not finalized and made permanent by both sides as it is doubtful Essien will ever make a large impact for Chelsea again.
Hugo Lloris- Lyon to Spurs
The third big Spurs signing was once again every bit as crucial as the two made previously. While the addition of Hugo Lloris would not help fill the midfield gap left by the departure of Modric it will improve the overall quality of the side. Lloris is currently one the best goalkeepers in the world and will not be hesitant to demonstrate his ability in the best league in the world. The Premier League goaltending quality has decreased in recent years and therefore the fact that Spurs has one of the best if not thee best keeper in the league gives them a distinct advantage in almost all of the matches they will play in this season. Like Cesar for QPR Lloris will bring a calm presence to the Tottenham backline that will enable them to relax and take more risks with potential rewards. At only 11 million pounds Lloris could turn out to be one of the best transfers made not only during the deadline but during the entire window.
Maicon- Inter Milan to Manchester City
The move in the biggest spotlight on deadline day in the Premier League came, to no ones surprise, from Manchester City or more specifically their filthy rich ownership group. This spotlight was shone on Brazillian international and former Inter Milan full back Maicon who made his way from the blue side of the most famous rivalry in Italian football to the blue side of the biggest rivalry currently in the Premier League. Maicon comes with plenty of talent and flash as will become quickly obvious upon a simple search of his highlights, including what could have been the best goal from the 2010 World Cup. Maicon will certainly have been brought to Manchester more for his offensive exploits then what he can perform when the opposition is attacking. He could prove to be a nice addition to the Manchester City backline but they may have to evolve slightly to find a spot for him in the system.
Scott Sinclair- Swansea to Manchester City
It was only a matter of time before the young Swansea winger made a move to a bigger team. Even after scoring for the side in the second week of the Premier League season it was clear that Sinclair’s days with the club were numbered. That is why few batted an eye when Sinclair joined Manchester City on the final day of the transfer window, a move that for many was a long time coming. Sinclair had 8 goals last season for Swansea and scored in his only appearance this season. For Manchester City this is a move the fully revolves around depth. Sinclair is a player who will prove very useful as a replacement if City want to rest some of their starters for a European match. However, while this move makes since for Manchester City is does not really make all that much sense for the player they acquired. Sinclair is only 23 and therefore getting as much playing time as possible at the Premier League level is very important for his development. He would have been the go to player for Swansea or any other mid table Premier League side. Instead he chose to join the best side in the league and his career may suffer because of it.
There you have it, the most important moves from Deadline Day. Which player do you think will have the greatest impact on his new team? Feel free to leave comments below.
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