Written by James Ireson
Said: “The transfer window is going nuts as it comes to a close.”
Rio Ferdinand wasn’t wrong when he posted this on his Twitter account earlier on Monday morning. Liverpool could have been accused of panic buying after losing their top marksman, whilst Carlo Ancelotti attempted to get Chelsea’s season back on track by signing Fernando Torres and David Luiz.
Kenny Dalglish needed to react after losing Torres. It’s not exactly been straightforward for the Anfield club this season but making Andy Carroll England’s most expensive ever striker after signing him for £35 million is excessive. The player has demonstrated huge quality since he was handed the heralded number 9 shirt at Newcastle, but we have to put things in to perspective. Wayne Rooney didn’t cost that much, neither did Torres when he joined Liverpool. Tottenham have been linked with pretty much every striker who isn’t already at White Hart Lane, but even then, players like Sergio Aguero were rumoured to cost less than what Carroll has gone to Liverpool for.
In the capital, Chelsea have been arguably the most active on this frantic last day. Ancelotti clearly feels that his side need some added quality as he has brought in cultured Brazilian defender Luiz and of course, Fernando Torres. Not a bad way to give the title chase one last stab!
Done
I think it’s fair to say that Liverpool’s signing of Carroll was a little knee-jerk. He doesn’t represent value for that kind of money. Carroll now has a massive task. If justifying that kind of money isn’t hard enough, Carroll also has to fill the shows of someone who achieved hero status in the Kop, in a very short space of time. Speaking to a Newcastle fan, he was screaming to sell – let’s not forget what £35 million can get you these days. Newcastle’s aim this season was to stay in the league. If they achieve that, which they should do even without Carroll, then they can use the money to rebuild.
Chelsea have obviously identified that they are weak, too weak to mount a real title bid, so they have gone for it. Considering the money spent, and the pressure he has already been under, the two signings represent something of a last chance saloon for manager Carlo Ancelotti.