After a crazy and eventful 31 days, the winter transfer window finally came to an end. The current transfer window has generated more activity than its predecessors. The biggest reason for this has been the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The biggest international football tournament held every four years took place in winter this time and finished only 13 days before the transfer window opened.
That meant that several players who shone for their teams were in high demand as clubs looked to eke out top money to add these players. But, of course, there were other reasons for this crazy spending, too, such as the incredible transfer strategy of Chelsea, which has now seen them splurge over €300 million in the summer and more than €200 million in the winter transfer window.
This was why we saw so many top players change clubs in January, a sight rarely seen in the winter transfer window.
So, FootTheBall brings you the top deals from the winter transfer window.
Enzo Fernandez: Benfica to Chelsea – €120 million
The craziest transfer saga you might come across from the past couple of years. Enzo Fernandez is finally a Chelsea player. But the difficulties the Blues came across to land their man, wasn’t that straightforward. Todd Boehly and Potter decided to let go of Jorginho to Arsenal on deadline day and that made it even more important for the Stamford Bridge outfit to get their man.
It came down to the dying minutes of the deadline day, but Chelsea and Boehly made sure of completing the transfer of the Argentine wonderkid – smashing the British transfer record on the way($120m).
Noni Madueke: PSV Eindhoven to Chelsea – €33 million
Another one from Chelsea. Noni Madueke has also, like his former teammate Cody Gakpo made the switch from the Eredivisie to the Premier League. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who has spent his youth career at Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, and PSV, has been touted as a future star.
This is what prompted Chelsea to move ahead of several clubs to add the Englishman to their ranks. While he does have immense talent, he will find himself well down the pecking order at the club for now. However, things could change after the summer if he manages to keep up the level of his performance.
Malo Gusto: Lyon to Chelsea €35 million
Malo Gusto would have been the most sought-after signing in the winter transfer window at any other club in the world. But such has been Chelsea’s spend that his transfer has not garnered so much attention. One of the best young right-backs in the world, Malo Gusto, developed his skills at the famed youth academy of Lyon.
And for the last year and a half, Malo Gusto has been the subject of interest from several clubs. However, in the end, Chelsea won the race for him. It remains to be seen whether he can start hitting the ground at the club from the start.
Jorginho: Chelsea to Arsenal €13 million
Another transfer that no one saw coming, and with good reason. Throughout the entire transfer window, league leaders Arsenal were chasing the Ecuadorian star Moises Caicedo. However, they failed to reach a deal with Brighton to sign him. This meant Mikel Arteta had to look for alternatives, and Jorginho emerged as the perfect replacement.
The Italian has had years of experience playing in the Premier League and has the skill set to shine in the Gunners’ system. Jorginho is also a steal at such a low fee and allow Arsenal the financial resources to go after Caicedo in the summer transfer window.
Moreover, he gives the team the perfect depth in the midfield area and could be the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle that Arsenal need to win their first Premier League title in 18 years.
STATS TIME: Jorginho has picked up just ONE injury since the 2015/16 season which saw him miss only 7 days of action. In his 13-year career, Jorginho has only been unavailable for 5 matches.
Phenomenal fitness record! 💪 pic.twitter.com/AmbjS4yXCP
— Sash ~ (@ltarsenal) January 31, 2023
Benoit Badiashile: AS Monaco to Chelsea €37 million
Despite spending an enormous amount of money, Chelsea have struggled massively this season. However, that has not deterred the Blues, who added centre-back Benoît Badiashile to their ranks. The 21-year-old has been one of the top talents to emerge in Ligue 1, which attracted the interest of Chelsea.
Badiashile was brought in for €37 million, and in the two matches that he played, Chelsea have not conceded a single goal which shows the immediate impact that he has had at the club.
Joao Cancelo: Manchester City to Bayern Munich on loan
The transfer that no one saw coming. Before the start of the new season, Cancelo was the most in-form player in Manchester City’s defensive line. However, within six months, the Portuguese finds himself on loan to German giants Bayern Munich. It is still unclear why he left, but sources have indicated that the team’s struggles this season have prompted Guardiola to change players to reinvigorate the hunger to win titles.
Kyle Walker has been imperious on the right-back, while summer signing Sergio Gomez has also surprised everyone by becoming an integral part of the team. However, City’s loss is Bayern Munich’s gain as they now have world-class full-backs capable of playing both on the left and right-back positions.
📸 Unsere neue Nummer 2️⃣2️⃣! 😍#MiaSanMia #FCBayern #ServusJoão pic.twitter.com/chWlQMwrZL
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) January 31, 2023
Leandro Trossard: Brighton to Arsenal €30 million
Despite being by far the best team in the Premier League, Arsenal have failed to bring that form in the transfer market. In the space of 31 days, they kissed out on signing their top two players, Moises Caicedo and Mykhaylo Mudryk. In the case of Mudryk, Arsenal had almost signed the player before Chelsea swooped in to sign him before Chelsea swooped in at the last moment to sign him.
However, Arsenal signed the perfect replacement in, Leandro Trossard, from Brighton & Hove Albion. The left winger offers an experienced presence in Arsenal’s attack and will help take the load off Gabriel Martinelli’s shoulders. The Belgian scored seven goals and provided three assists in 16 matches for Brighton before joining Arsenal.
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Cody Gakpo: PSV to Liverpool €42 million
Cody Gakpo has been one of the best players to come out of Eredivisie in recent years. The attacker has shone in the Dutch league for years and was the Netherlands’ best player at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 23-year-old scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in just 14 matches for PSV, prompting Liverpool to pay €42 million for his services. Klopp views him as a successor to Roberto Firmino.
Gakpo’s start to life at Liverpool has not been smooth, as he is yet to score his first goals after playing five matches. However, with the talent that Gakpo has, it is only a matter of time before he starts to hit the ground running, which will help turn his and Liverpool’s fortunes around.
Mykhaylo Mudryk: Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea €100 million
Such aggressive has been the transfer strategy of Chelsea that Mudryk might not even have been the costliest transfer at Chelsea despite costing €100 million. In the end, Chelsea signed the talented Enzo Fernandez for a record €120 million, and Mudryk remains the costliest acquisition of the winter transfer window.
Chelsea attack for the next season:
▶ Mykhaylo Mudryk (22) – Left Winger
▶ Noni Madueke (20) – Right Winger
▶ Christopher Nkunku (25) – Second StrikerWhat’s your thoughts on this front 3? pic.twitter.com/zgATbEL800
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) January 21, 2023
The Ukrainian had been on the radars of several top clubs in the summer. However, no one could have anticipated such a massive race among clubs to sign him. In the end, Chelsea signed him, and despite playing only 35 minutes has dazzled fans with his impressive footwork and dribbling and is sure to become one of the best players in the future.