5 Deadline Day Transfers That Caught The Eye

You may recall a recent post on Just-Football discussing 5 summer transfers that we considered made good business. Well with the frantic spending that took place on deadline day from clubs around Europe it would almost be rude not to peruse over the goings-on and assess deals that caught the eye, for one reason or other. So here we have it. And where else to start but:

1, Robinho (Real Madrid to Manchester City) – I remember back in 2005 seeing an incredibly gifted young forward making a mockery of defenders in Brazil week in week out for his club Santos and marvelling at the vast potential of the man. His incredible flair and unique skills, along with his goals, helped power the club to two league titles; their first two since the 1960s. I remember the buzz of excitement that surrounded this precocious talent and the immense amount of anticipation that surrounded the player, the type of hysteria only awakened by the rousing prospect of unrealised promise. Real Madrid forked out nigh on £20 million on the player and you wondered just how far he could go.

His name was Robinho, and Manchester City have just made him the star name with which to begin their revolution as they look to cement their position as the new Chelsea. It was quite simply a stunning deadline day capture. Its also one that could prove to be perfect for both player and club. Far from the main man in Madrid, Robinho will be numero uno at City and this should suit a character that thrives on the adulation that comes with being in the spotlight. He is already talking up City’s prospects of a first league title in over 40 years. Not so sure on that one but this transfer, the most expensive in British history, shook European football.

2, John Akinde (Ebbsfleet United to Bristol City) – This signing didn’t shake European football quite so much, but as the world’s first ever transfer to be decided by fans it was equally historic. Ebbsfleet United is owned by the myfootballclub.co.uk community, and for members that signed up part of the promise was involvement in all major decisions affecting the club. When an unnamed team made a £150,000 bid for the striker therefore, it was left to the public to rule on whether the offer should be accepted or not, by way of a vote. An overwhelming majority concluded he should be allowed to leave, and so Akinde now finds himself playing in the Championship. Nothing if not original.

3, Kerlon (Cruzeiro to Chievo) – If you have not already heard of this young Brazilian talent I advise you to go on YouTube, type in the words ‘Kerlon’ and ’seal dribble’ and learn just what the kid is about. A skilful, twenty-year old attacking midfielder / forward, Kerlon is best known for his own personal footballing party trick in which he flicks the ball onto his head and runs with it, making it nigh on impossible for opponents to tackle him.

Now Brazilian football generally prides itself on trickery and innovation, but in the case of the ’seal dribble’ the lines are slightly blurred. People could not decide whether it should be applauded for its inventiveness or derided for its provocative, almost derogatory nature. In the Belo Horizonte derby between Kerlon’s former club Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro last season his capering caused a mass brawl and a national debate after opposing defender Coelho absolutely clattered him mid-stunt and was sent off. Some argued he deserved it and should not be trying to ‘insult’ fellow professionals, others saw nothing wrong with such unique creativity. I would argue the latter, though having said that it would be pretty difficult to tackle him and at the same time keep within the laws of the game. Still, outwitting your opposing man is part of what football is all about surely?

Considered a specially-gifted prospect it was only a matter of time before a European club swooped for his signature, and it is Chievo Verona that have managed to pull off the deal. With vast amounts of attention and controversy swirling around Kerlon in Brazil, not to mention the nasty injuries that have blighted him for the past year, moving on to pastures new is probably a good thing for the youngster and it will be interesting to see just how the seal dribble goes down in Serie A. You can’t imagine Marco Materazzi being too forgiving.

4, Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto to Inter Milan) – After four very successful years at Porto the general consensus regarding Ricardo Quaresma was that it was time for him to move on. He had seen and done more or less everything at Porto, winning trophy after trophy. Linked endlessly to several major clubs around Europe, ultimately it was Inter Milan who finally decided to put their money where their mouth was, shelling out £15 million pounds on the dazzling winger.

Accusations that he is something of a luxury player, one who tends to ignore the more defensive elements of the game like tracking back and marking which, while not as glamorous, are equally important to the team have often been levelled at Quaresma but at just 24 years of age he still has time to develop his game. And who better to coach him on the grittier aspects of being a wide midfielder than Jose Mourinho? Serie A will offer the player the fresh challenge he needs. Blessed with electric pace, a wicked shot and spectacular dribbling abilities it could be a great signing for Inter, who at times in the past have tended to lack that cutting edge from wide areas. A touch of inspiration, a hint of the unpredictable; could prove to be the perfect medicine for the Nerazzurri.

5, Tyrone Mears (Derby County to Olympique Marseille) – Can anyone see Tyrone Mears cutting it at one of the biggest and most highly pressured clubs in France? Is he good enough to play in the Champions League? We are about to find out. A product of the Manchester City Academy, Mears never made it at Eastlands and was subsequently sold to Preston North End. There he established himself as a highly promising right back and was instrumental in helping the club reach the 2005/2006 Championship play-off semi final. Encouraged by such potential West Ham United brought Mears to East London and the Premiership, but he failed to make an impact and ended up at Derby County.

Seemingly set to plod his way through another Championship season this year, he then got the call from French giants Marseille and caused controversy by flying out to France for a trial without Derby manager Paul Jewell’s consent. “I am absolutely raging. I’ll tell you now, he’ll never play for Derby again while I’m manager,” fumed Jewell on learning the news. Given their predicament Mears was no doubt delighted to hear it. Probably the biggest indictment as far as Mears is concerned is that many Derby fans were glad to get rid of him. Though he can prove inconsistent, the positives are that he is a strong, athletic right-back who likes to get forward and support the attack. Initially a one-year loan deal with an option to buy, we will soon find out whether Marseille boss Erik Gerets has acted shrewdly or hastily, and whether or not the player can succeed in Le Championnat.

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Chievo Verona, Ebbsfleet United, Europe, Inter Milan, John Akinde, Kerlon, Manchester City, Olympique Marseille, Ricardo Quaresma, Robinho, Transfer News, Tyrone Mears