Transfer Deadline Day

Just what is it that makes Transfer Deadline Day (TDD) so enthralling to watch as events unfold (and then fold back up as the inevitable “dead in the water” phrases are circulated on Sky Sports News and the Twitterverse simultaneously)? Is it Jim White’s many phones? Bryan Swanson’s special touch screen? Talks of helicopters flying from London to Newcastle at the eleventh hour? Or the dramatic cutaway to the chimes of Big Ben as the clock signals the end of another window? There really is nothing quite like it. Of course, we accept that it is massively hyped up by the media and by us fans who lap it up with glee, but it is extremely entertaining viewing when all is said and done. I personally would have given awards to SSN’s coverage of the summer 2008 deadline day, if there were such accolades - remember Berbatov and Robinho? Oh, and January 2011 wasn’t bad either...

Arriving at the present, it appears that the current TDD did not yield that marquee signing that leaves everyone talking, in terms of both reputation and transfer fee (though still managing to keep us sports enthusiasts on the edge of our seats beyond 11pm). An example of such a recent signing would evidently be Fernando Torres, a proven striker on the world stage, heading from the banks of the Mersey to the extravagance of the King’s Road in Chelsea for a British record £50 million (ignoring his post-transfer toil in front of goal). Others in this ‘elite’ band of players signed for ridiculous amounts of money include Andy Carroll, who, although not of the same reputation as his Anfield predecessor, managed to leave the country astonished with the drama that his move from Newcastle generated.

Yes, August 31^st did bring us transfers involving players of considerable proven quality, but it is unlikely that many will consider any of these world class talents. Instead, the bulk of these marquee arrivals to the Barclays Premier League, especially from abroad, were done, somewhat more sensibly, earlier on in the summer. Sergio Aguero stands out as perhaps the most high-profile signing of the summer with his £38 million move to the blue side of Manchester, while their rivals across the city acquired David de Gea for £18 million, undoubtedly a goalkeeper with world class potential. Liverpool and Chelsea also both strengthened their squads sometime before the deadline.

The names we saw flashing across the Sky Sports ticker last night were not particularly gobsmacking. North London appears to be an exception to the ‘get it done early’ policy, especially on last night’s evidence. Harry Redknapp seems to like it. Both Arsenal and Tottenham bought (and sold) late, the Gunners especially –and about time – but the names hardly jump out of the page: Mertesacker, Park Chu Young, Benayoun, Santos, Arteta, Parker. Perhaps the clearest indication that TDD wasn’t a blockbuster in terms of substance is the fact that the highest fee paid for any player was £12 million for Raul Meireles to go to Chelsea. It is probably the expectations of the modern football fan that wishes to see the huge fees paid for top players coming to England, but it was almost lukewarm content last night, and it is realistic not to anticipate such action every TDD. Only the season will tell whether all these deadline day signings help their clubs to success. However, TDD was, as a spectacle, as good as ever for viewing, and there is no doubt that we will be seeing more of the same from Jim White and co for many transfer windows to come. And we’ll love it.