Paul Merson gives his assessment on which clubs had the better January transfer window

Paul Merson gives his assessment on which clubs had the better January transfer window
Jesse Lingard joins West Ham United

Paul Merson has given his say one what were the best and worst signings of this season’s winter transfer window and which players will come in good for the respective clubs.

In a window wherein big clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have hardly done any business shows us the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Paul Merson reviews transfers of Ozan Kabak, Jesse Lingard and Ainsley Maitland Niles

Liverpool bring in Ozan Kabak

Liverpool have focused a lot on strengthening their defence this winter. With all three of their first choice centre backs out with injuries, Jurgen Klopp has focused on Defensive recruitment. Preston’s Ben Davies has been signed along with Schalke and Turkish international Ozan Kabak.

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It needs to be seen if these two young defenders will get much play time given that Nathaniel Philips and Rhys Williams are already present at the club.

The lad at Schalke won’t believe his luck. If you’re his agent, you’d be looking to get knighted! He’s just gone to the champions…. they’ve just one won game all season! That really did shock me. The lad at Preston is a decent player but it’s a massive jump. It’s just a case of getting bodies in.

I feel Liverpool are just bringing a couple of bodies in. When Fabinho got injured, I feel that was the moment where they had to drop Jordan Henderson into defence. It’s just a case of getting bodies in. The top-drawer out there are going to be £70m-£80m players.

Ainsley Maitland Niles

Arsenal have been extremely busy this January transfer window. The Gunners have done substantial amount of business and have had a lot of outgoings as well as incomings. Long standing player Mesut Ozil has finally parted with the side and joined Fernebache. Dead Kolasinac has been given to Schalke 04.

Amidst the incomings are Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard who is a great prospect for Mikel Arteta. He already has the likes of Emile Smith Rowe who is coming through the ranks. However Paul Merson believes that the departure of Ainsley Maitland Niles could be good for the player himself who will be looking to play in the Euros.

He has to go to the right club as come the Euros, he has got every chance. He’s on the fringe, but he can play in three or four positions and Gareth Southgate likes him. Everyone likes someone who’s versatile. To go to Leicester and to work under Rodgers would have been a massive plus.

Ainsley Maitland Niles had the opportunity to go to Leicester City and work with Brendan Rodgers but that deal hasn’t gone through. But Merson points out that at West Bromwich Albion he will be able to play in his preferred midfield position.

To work under Brendan Rodgers would certainly be a good move for Ainsley Maitland-Niles but the most important thing for the player is to go somewhere he can play in his preferred position, which is in midfield.

I do like the Lingard signing at West Ham. I watched them yesterday and they looked a bit lost. I feel they just needed that burst. He has played for the biggest club in the world so if he can rediscover his form, I feel he could be the one where other teams are scratching their head thinking, ‘why didn’t we sign Lingard?’

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