The Beautiful Game

And so the transfer window closes. And it wasn’t the flurry of activity many had predicted. Of the top clubs, only Liverpool made any significant purchases. Having said that, the signing of Javier Mascherano has yet to be rubber-stamped by the Premier League, and if Rafa Benitez’s record on buying right-backs is anything to go by (see: Josemi, Jan Kromkamp), we probably shouldn’t expect too much from Alvaro Arbeloa.

Elsewhere, West Ham will be the happiest of the relegation-threatened clubs. Matthew Upson and Luca$h Neill will add strength and experience to the back four, Luis Boa Morte is a proven attacking threat, and it appears that Kepa Blanco knows exactly where the goal is following his first-touch effort against Liverpool on Tuesday night.

Chelsea are still completely reliant on Didier Drogba for goals, and look worryingly light defensively. Further injury to John Terry might derail their title chase for good. Arsenal’s Carling Cup run has illustrated the strength of their young squad, but one suspects a few more experienced heads are required to correct their disappointing away form. Man United have no adequate long-term cover for Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick, and an injury to either could have serious, and irremediable, consequences. Game on!