Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty ImagesRecords for transfers between English clubs were smashed as the end of the January transfer window closed on Monday.
Firstly, 22-year-old England striker Andy Carroll went from Newcastle United to Liverpool for a new record of £35 million ($56.2 million).
Not long afterwards, unsettled Liverpool front man Fernando Torres was on his way South to Chelsea with the newly set transfer record being smashed out of sight as £50 million ($80.3 million) changed hands.
Speaking on Chelsea TV, Spanish international Torres disclosed that negotiations had been in progress between Chelsea and Liverpool for a full 12 days. “I can say I’m a Chelsea player now. I’m really happy and I’m sure I am doing one big step forward in my career joining a club like Chelsea.”
Torres and Didier Drogba constitute a fearsome strike force on paper, but that depends on whether or not the two volatile and egocentric personalities can develop an effective partnership. That partnership may also be relatively short-lived as rumors continue to circulate that Drogba will be on his way out of Stamford Bridge to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Torres had looked better in the few games since Kenny Dalglish’s arrival than he had for most of a hitherto disappointing season. It may have appeared to the casual observer that his revival was due to the inspiration of the Scottish legend, but it now seems more like an attempt to maximize his transfer fee.
Once fellow Spaniard and former manager Rafa Benitez had departed from Anfield, Torres was clearly not happy, but most observers would have anticipated a move to a Spanish or Italian club.
However, if Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti can bring the best out of Torres who, as everyone knows, is absolutely world class when on his game, then it will have been money well spent.
From Liverpool’s standpoint there is an element of risk in splashing out so much money for someone who is hardly proven at the highest level. With both injury and disciplinary clouds over him, Carroll may be seen as something of a risk.
Liverpool has enjoyed mixed fortunes with the various strikers they have bought down the years, and it is usually the most expensive ones that have been the most disappointing.
Reds fans will be praying that Carroll proves to be another Ian Rush rather than another Stan Collymore.
To complete their new strike force Liverpool have finalized the signing of Uruguayan international Luis Suarez from Ajax for £22.7 million ($36.6 million). The 2010 Dutch footballer of the year, Suárez was the country’s top scorer with 35 goals in 33 league matches (49 goals in all competitions).
He is also one of an exclusive group of players that have scored more than 100 goals for Ajax in competitive matches—a group that includes legends Johann Cruyff, Marco Van Basten, and Dennis Bergkamp.
Suarez is certainly the finished article, but that is no guarantee that he will adapt to the rigors of the Premier League. We shall all be watching with keen interest over the weeks to come.
Firstly, 22-year-old England striker Andy Carroll went from Newcastle United to Liverpool for a new record of £35 million ($56.2 million).
Not long afterwards, unsettled Liverpool front man Fernando Torres was on his way South to Chelsea with the newly set transfer record being smashed out of sight as £50 million ($80.3 million) changed hands.
Speaking on Chelsea TV, Spanish international Torres disclosed that negotiations had been in progress between Chelsea and Liverpool for a full 12 days. “I can say I’m a Chelsea player now. I’m really happy and I’m sure I am doing one big step forward in my career joining a club like Chelsea.”
Torres and Didier Drogba constitute a fearsome strike force on paper, but that depends on whether or not the two volatile and egocentric personalities can develop an effective partnership. That partnership may also be relatively short-lived as rumors continue to circulate that Drogba will be on his way out of Stamford Bridge to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Torres had looked better in the few games since Kenny Dalglish’s arrival than he had for most of a hitherto disappointing season. It may have appeared to the casual observer that his revival was due to the inspiration of the Scottish legend, but it now seems more like an attempt to maximize his transfer fee.
Once fellow Spaniard and former manager Rafa Benitez had departed from Anfield, Torres was clearly not happy, but most observers would have anticipated a move to a Spanish or Italian club.
However, if Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti can bring the best out of Torres who, as everyone knows, is absolutely world class when on his game, then it will have been money well spent.
Toon Loss
The St. James Park faithful will doubtless be heartbroken that the reign of their young prince Andy Carroll has ended when it had barely begun. The “Toon Army” would have been looking forward to many seasons of many goals from the man they considered to be the new Alan Shearer.From Liverpool’s standpoint there is an element of risk in splashing out so much money for someone who is hardly proven at the highest level. With both injury and disciplinary clouds over him, Carroll may be seen as something of a risk.
Liverpool has enjoyed mixed fortunes with the various strikers they have bought down the years, and it is usually the most expensive ones that have been the most disappointing.
Reds fans will be praying that Carroll proves to be another Ian Rush rather than another Stan Collymore.
To complete their new strike force Liverpool have finalized the signing of Uruguayan international Luis Suarez from Ajax for £22.7 million ($36.6 million). The 2010 Dutch footballer of the year, Suárez was the country’s top scorer with 35 goals in 33 league matches (49 goals in all competitions).
He is also one of an exclusive group of players that have scored more than 100 goals for Ajax in competitive matches—a group that includes legends Johann Cruyff, Marco Van Basten, and Dennis Bergkamp.
Suarez is certainly the finished article, but that is no guarantee that he will adapt to the rigors of the Premier League. We shall all be watching with keen interest over the weeks to come.
