Transfer window offers help to EPL teams

Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Michael Dawson celebrates at the final whistle after their 2-1 win Wednesday over Manchester United in the English Premier League at Old Trafford in Manchester.

That got a little crazy for a minute there, didn’t it?

The English Premier League’s late-December schedule is notorious for packing in a whole lot of games in an ever-so-brief span. This year – or last year, technically – we saw Liverpool take over the EPL lead one weekend and then fall back six points the next. Arsenal remained top, while Chelsea and Manchester City asserted their title credentials.

But more on all that another time. Honestly, it’s too chaotic right now to go jumping to any conclusions.

Instead, let’s take a look at the January transfer window and some of the biggest questions we might see sorted out.

1. Striker shopping in London?

It’s not as if Arsenal and Chelsea can’t score, as they sit third and fourth in the EPL in terms of goals-for. The majority of those goals, however, are coming from the midfield. Jose Mourinho’s been open about his desire to secure a poacher, although the return of Romelu Lukaku from his loan spell with Everton next season means the Portuguese tactician may need to wait. As for Arsenal, Olivier Giroud has held up admirably and the return from injury of Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski should lighten his load. Still, front-end reinforcements could be the difference between being champions or also-rans.

2. Spend to stay up?

Sunderland, West Ham and Fulham started at the bottom and now they’re, well, still there. But it’s not as if there isn’t hope. Even Sunderland, in dead last, sit only six points back of Aston Villa in 13th. All three need goals, and Fulham in particular could use help at the back – the on-loan addition of Clint Dempsey should help up front. Don’t expect huge influxes of cash for any of these clubs, but an upgrade here and there could be enough to secure another lucrative season in the first division.

3. Is United in the market for a midfielder?

Simple answer: Yes. A miserable summer in the transfer market failed to secure the attacking midfielder David Moyes’ squad so desperately needed, and they’re playing catch-up for a Champions League spot as a result. Finding a world class player who can slot into the starting 11 is never easy in January, but there are persistent rumours United will try to find a quick-fix in someone like Galatasaray’s Wesley Sneijder who can help them qualify for Europe’s top competition before the bigger spending takes place in the summer.

4. Are either Liverpool clubs looking to strengthen?

There’s a window of opportunity this season for both these teams and for the most part they’ve taken advantage of it. But Liverpool’s heavily reliant on Luis Suarez, and are almost certainly searching for cover as they aim for a return to the Champions League or, dare I say it, their first title since 1990. Everton? They’ve exceeded all expectations under new manager Roberto Martinez, but don’t be shocked if they wade into the market and really make a push for an ever-elusive spot in Europe’s biggest competition. They’ll need to hold off suitors for the impressive Ross Barkley, though.

5. To Wales with love?

Both Swansea and Cardiff City sit in the bottom half of the table right now, and by all accounts they’re ready to buy. The burden of playing in the Europa League has stretched Swansea’s squad thin, and with Michu out with an ankle injury they need creative cover. As for Cardiff City, they’re nut-job owner Vincent Tan is desperate to keep them in the EPL next season, and there’s word yet-to-be-comfirmed new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær will have plenty of cash at his disposal for upgrades.