After the window is closed....

The influence of Eurozone crisis has spread to the football transfer market.  Big name signings were lacking this January, with the total transfer fees across Premier League very likely lower than Andy Carroll's value this time last year. Movements were made to further anchor the club's position, but no reckless moves were seen. The headline-grabbing Tevez is going nowhere, so as the pricy duo Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll. Harry Redknapp did not disappoint his fans with his usually active January, though only in the last minute; while  Mark Hughes is determined to be the saviour of QPR by bringing in quality pieces, including his favourite, Bobby Zamora. The Linesman predicted the likely transfers to be happened, and now it's time to wrap up who has gone and who has stayed.

Cahill in Blue

Finally, Gary Cahill will be playing in Stamford Bridge. The minor crisis about his contract demand being revealed has been resolved, and Andres Villas Boas cannot wait for the England international's debut to help restore the stability of the defensive line, which is hit by the comedian David Luiz and John Terry's racism claim. Cahill's arrival also helps Alex's escape to the France, joining the ambitious PSG and hoping to revive his career.

American invasion

Unlike Tevez, they really love football. What's better than playing on the familiar soil again? Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan has all returned to England during the MLS winter break with various degree of success. Henry might be the first person to play in a stadium with his own statue outside. His winning goal helped Arsenal get through in FA Cup, though days later a devastating loss at Swansea provoked clash with the fans. Robbie Keane joined the tenth club of his career and scored an amazing goal to lead a comeback victory against Wolves; Donovan secures a starting spot in Everton and injects speed and creativity that Moyes' side midfield is certainly lacking. His assist to Gibson has helped Everton beat the league leader Manchester City last night.

There is never forever teammates

Tottenham and QPR

Tony Fernandez has never hidden his intention to bring in new signings to save the struggling QPR. After purchasing Mark Hughes, they have strengthened the backline by loaning Onohua and Taiwo from Mancity and AC Milan respectively. The signing of Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora will help the second-lowest scoring frontline. Having brought in the right pieces, QPR's fate will be hinged on how Mark Hughes utilises the improved squad.

Harry Redknapp has always been a fan of January transfer window, but he stressed not for once he will only bring in "special" players. Having been quiet for most of the January, Spurs had made a lot of phone calls in the last 12 hours before deadline. Louis Saha is a fitter option as a lone striker than Defoe and Pavlyuchenko (sold to Lokomotiv Moscow), but Ryan Nelsen seems to be a compensation to Tottenham from Blackburn for not letting Samba go. The out-of-favour Pienaar returns to Everton on loan after a season.

The return of the legends

Small pieces for the big clubs

Inflation of the players' values has urged more sensible spending. There is little excitement to cheer the fans, but the clubs are pushing the right moves. Sir Alex stole the headline of the transfer window by bringing back Scholes to fill up the injury-prone midfield. It is not often you can see a top team fielding a central midfield pair with an average age of 37, but now they are back in level with Man City. 

Meanwhile, City has brought in David Pizarro, given their lack of creativity in midfield apart from David Silva. A big question remains whether he can adapt to the physicality of Premier League. One of their fringe player, Wayne Bridge, is loaned out to Sunderland. It is a win-win situation as the Black Cats fans can finally enjoy the service of a proper left back, who was also a former-international.  

Arsenal and Chelsea migrated their focus onto the future by signing two young midfielders abroad, but Newcastle has decided to put their faith into Africa. They have brought in Demba Ba's Senegal partner, Papiss Cisse, to share his goal-scoring duty. The surprised exit of Senegal in African Nations Cup means the pair will be seen in Toon's jersey in early February.



The new striking force

Bits and Bobs

Everton had another busy transfer window.  Bilyaletdinov joined Pavlyuchenko on the flight back to home country, leaving Arshavin alone in London. Darron Gibson is more like a piece from Ferguson to urge Everton selling Rodwell to them in the summer, although he became the unlikely hero against Man City. Former Rangers Nikica Jelavic is described by Moyes as the solution to their goalscoring problem.

The bottom three seems to be relatively content with their current squad. Wolves tries to anchor the defence by acquiring Bassong and Frimpong; Bolton has brought in Tim Ream from New York to fill in for Cahill; Wigan has only brought in rarely-known left winger Beausejour from Birmingham. Their awfully weak squad will struggle to retain the Premier League place, unless Rodallega will do the magic again before he, very likely, leaves in the summer.