did the best business for you in the January window.
Sound like a broken record. I think it's time Hotspur.
I really, I love the coolest house key move.
Conte is get someone's going to get the best out of his players
when he believes in him. He got rid of that and dominate
distraction, even if I want to see more of and humble a, he is
clearly contending for a top four spot. He's going to put
Spurs back in the Champions League.
He's just gonna he's doing everything he can
to get them there. There is a vision.
In of seeing out this season and I think most of the pieces
are pieces, that could be a part of it going forward. So
I really like what he's doing
and equal about you. One thing stands out, business was
yeah. I have to agree with that right there. And I think it's
also a matter of timing is why as well, if the the number of
players were they've been able to move on them on permanently
or on loan this month and the money that will be saved will
just
be money added to the transfer fund for the summer coming up.
And so that's going to give Conte a Been more buying power
in a market, that's going to have a lot of players
available. And I'm not just talking about with transfer
fees. There's going to
be a lot of free agents this summer. We're starting to see
players wind down their contracts. A lot more one
because they want a little bit more control and say over where
that, you know, where their career goes and where they
play. But to
the, the financial ramifications of covid have
meant that a lot of players have not been re-signed to
massive deals that they otherwise would have gotten
because clubs don't have the money to pay those massive
deals right now. And so we're going to see an influx of
Free agents. And I think that's one thing that we saw at you
Ventus. When part each you was running the show. There, was he
loves a free signing. He got some really good players
to you. Ventus built a number of title teams around free
signings and going to see a lot of that from Spurs is Summer.
And they're going to they're going to be one of the first
teams
in on every single player that's available because they
will have the money
that one they've not had in the past because they were building
the stadium. It seems like the financial situation due to that
is in pretty good stead. But also, I think they're gonna
have more money.
Most other clubs out there. And so,
they're in a strong position going forward. If they can get
top for this season, on top of that have Champions League to
offer Champions League money, as well. Look out.
Yeah, look out, indeed. Okay, who didn't
do enough business? Is that one Premier League team? You think?
They could have really elevated themselves. Either save
themselves from relegation or got into the top four. They
were done more business. I mean, I am looking at Arsenal
a little bit. I think this is the opportunity for them. They've
been closer than ever to
get into the top.
For or not ever, but recently
over the last few years
and I think they did bring in a striker. They did break
the bank for that, then they probably would get over
the line and they probably would give themselves an advantage
considering they don't have European action or any cop
action to worry about in the next few months on the last few
months of the Season. Anybody disagree with that. I mean,
I'm looking at down at the bottom.
Newcastle Burnley Norwich. What foods are those kind of teams
that they do enough business? Who wants it? Go at it? Yeah.
I'll take it here real quick and I'll throw
Back to you, Joe
did Saints do enough by bringing in Willy Caballero
this month. That feels like a place that probably needed
a signing or two just to solidify themselves away from
the relegation battle and they didn't do it.
Yeah, you're right. I think the key for them
was probably just
maybe working some connections of Amanda brochure and some of
those ones to try and get them in permanently, but you're
right. It's a little bit concerned. I think Lee jinae,
it is another team that obviously tried to sign Brendan
Aronson and
Didn't go through and
there's a couple of teams. I think we'll be looking
nervously over their shoulders, even Brentford bringing in
Christian, Eriksen. He probably would will help them, just stay
safe, but they've been on a bit of a slide as well. When you
think defensively, they could maybe a
done with a few reinforcements. But yeah, there's a lot of
teams down the bottom. I think, or maybe we regret even Burnley
bringing in
obviously their course, right? At the end. That's what they
needed to replace. Chris would, but I feel like they could have
maybe gone out and got a few more players as well.
Well, Time someone's bringing that up against an instrument.
That's good. Right? Nick, you go with that.
Yeah, I think I look at them. And again, so many of these
teams did spend a lot in the, in the summer. I have a buddy
who's a big Canary supporter and I had asked him, you know
the middle of a suit. Well, what are
they going to do in January is like Nick, they bought guys,
they did business. They don't normally do
in the offseason. So
it's hard to find a team. I mean, Burnley never buys. So
and you can argue that. They only bought
because Chris would went to
Newcastle, so this is
I think it's just going to be a fascinating. I'm excited for
this. This run into the season the all the all the spots are
up for grabs. There's a top four spot of wolves are
the kind of secret team here. They weren't using tray or a lot.
They got some money for him to go back home.
So I'll be interested to see
wolves Brighton. These teams that tend to sign players
that we don't hear about, but we know that they've got a good
eye for it. If they get somebody who hits Brighton, get
somebody who hits Palace. Get somebody. That's, I know they
made at as loan
full-time now, so
it'll be interesting to see who's the surprise guy, because
there's always somebody, these cracks staffs, the people who
use analytics. Well, that have managers again. You know, how
I feel about good Grand Potter,
the next Pep Guardiola.
He's, he's a guy who I wonder, did they find the right fit?
Because some of these guys have,
they haven't proven it in a very high level,
but you look at their numbers. And you think about
the equivalent. Of a Pat's, and DACA or these guys, who are now
taking a jump from Salzburg to the premiere without a stop in
between.
If one of those guys hits,
you're in a different ballpark.
Okay. Here's a question
craigie and says who's going to make this helpful.
I mean, do we change our minds based on deadline date January
transfer window or who you going with Nick?
No,
one, two, three, four and City Liverpool, Chelsea Spurs
Wow, Andy Griffith that
I don't remember what I had before deadline day. But
I think that's where I'm at after deadline day now just and for
all the reasons that we just talked about. It feels like
Spurs, have targeted
serious areas of weakness, a third, or fourth attacker to go
with what they've got up top and the established Stars,
a central midfielder who can progress the ball forward and
not just sideways. I think is going to be really big
for this team and I think unlock a lot of possibilities
under Conte. So Then they've just done the most to improve
themselves when Manchester United, and Arsenal, probably
the two biggest competitors for it. They didn't do anything.
So true. What's time as well? Throw them into the mix. I feel
ya
Chelsea Man, City,
Liverpool.
You know, I'm going to say, man. You know it, I don't know,
for whatever reason, I feel like they just are not a good
team to watch right now, but they are grinding out drawers
and wins under our friend, Nick and they just
have enough staff.
Power to get them over the line. I don't know something
about it says it's going to be so tight between. Tottenham
a snowman United right up until the end of the window.
So I ended it is the end of the window and the season and
I think
I think it really is just going to come down to who can deliver
in the big moments. I think, man united have more
experienced players who've done that in the past. Be it, Bruno,
Fernandez, Cristiano, Ronaldo Rushford.
Even Jane. Sancho can come up a big moment.
I just think that's going to happen for what? Great
question, Craig. I mean that's that's really got us thinking
here and thinking about the ramifications. What's been
a crazy January? And a crazy deadline that go ahead? Nick.
No, I was going to say if you were to tell me that Reynaldo
wasn't going to be the the guy for them and then occasionally
not part, you know, we're gonna see Sancho, we're gonna see
more of Rochford.
I mean, I think radford's gotten stick just because
Ronaldo's they're like, I don't know that he's really he was
he's been hurt there. I think there was covid women as well.
We haven't even seen the best of him yet and Bruno,
Fernandez, maybe he's going to be recharged to,
but I just don't again, the Reynaldo move, just seems so
backwards. And I do have to say this, we talked about what
you've only got ourselves a lot of grief, but we talked about
how likable he was. I don't know if you guys saw
the picture of him
at his daughter, made her debut for the Manchester United women,
and he had a big smile on his face and I was like, I like to
see happiola, like, I like that. I feel good for him.
It does. Like The Vibes aren't exactly right now.
No, it's a rebuilding process. No one really knows what's
going on. I think with Ralph rynek in terms of how much
influence is going to have off the pitch when he goes into his
consultancy role but
intriguing times intriguing times. Okay, let's finish with
this question. From a mortal who's going to get relegated.
I mean, what basing on Clues, you seen this month? Are we
changing? Our mind is is one team really elevated themselves
because
I it's I think it's a four-way battle, right? Lads, Norwich
Watford. Burly Newcastle, and maybe a Brentford, or a leads
can get dragged into it. But personally, I think Newcastle
with elevated themselves
away from the relegation scrap. I think that they've done more
business and Better Business, solid business compared to
the other teams, and I would probably I'm going to go first.
I'd say Norwich Watford and Burnley, who would be my three
to go down but I
don't know what you guys think of. You agree with that, but
I just think that especially in those three teams.
They could have done more in the window
and I All three, just kind of said, you know what, we're not
going to take a gamble. They're all kind of cautious clubs,
financially
and willing to risk going out and spending 20 30 million on
one player that's going to keep them up. Whereas Newcastle,
with their new owners.
We know, they can do that and they've obviously done that and
spent a lot of money. So
Norwich what for the Berlin, my Faria going down, what do we
reckon, guys?
Yeah, I'm an agreement there. And I don't know that there's,
I don't know that by the end of the season, there's
a relegation battle. I think it might be pretty
straightforward. That it's those three. And I've been on
the train
that says, Watford have too much
high quality attacking talent to,
to go down and I still believe that if a smile is, our can
come back from injury and he can be very productive and he
can, you know, kind of lead that team. Once again, they
will put up a fight and maybe make it interesting. But
I think right now
given the way that their season is trending. Emmanuel, Dennis
has fallen. Of quite a bit Joshua king without those other
two around. Him is not kidding the goals either. There's,
there's a lot of questions to
be asked for Watford, now that I didn't think we're there
a couple of months ago. So I agree. I think it's those three
Everton or excuse me, Everton and Newcastle. I think have
done enough.
Whether we agree with the long-term strategy of some of
those moves to remove themselves. I think, even from
the conversation, maybe a month from now, he might just be as
simple as they've played three or four or five games.
They've picked up two wins and a draw or two each and
They're suddenly 10 points, clear at the bottom, three
as is everybody else, you know, leads Brentford, maybe could
fall in there, but they would have to, they would have to
pick up. I think about what 8 or 10 points in the second half
of the season to really truly
fall into that. And that's really, really shocking for form for
a couple of teams that we have evidence of proof from
the past. They can be good. They can play in the Premier League.
I'll tell you what, go ahead and got a surprise for you.
I will mix it up. I will mix it up.
I think leads is going to go down.
I think leads will go down.
No, I have seen Marcelo bielsa,
quit on teams. Before he started the job. He's demanding
guy, and if he ends up out of the picture,
will it be a situation where? They don't know how to play any
other way. I need to know that Calvin Phillips is going to be
back and it seems like he's been going to be For some time.
I've seen Cyrus score a Defcon. He's getting back.
Cornet cornet, excuse me at Burnley. So yeah, leads. And
then I've got the wild one that I don't think it's going to
happen because newcastle's new ownership is not
going to want to say. They got it wrong on their first manager.
But remember if things start to go bad,
remember how badly they wanted a guy who is now on the market
in Rafa Benitez. Remember that they were going to take over
the club and he was staying for when the Takeover happened.
I just want to throw Throw That Into The Ether.
I do things as a chance, Newcastle, finishes the season
with Rafa Benitez in charge. Do you want that?
I don't know. I'll tell you what. I'm,
I was a big Eddie, how fan for a long time. I have not been
encouraged by Ryan Fraser playing over Miguel, almaguer
on and Matt, Richie getting extended run and Sean longstaff
being in this part of the pitch. So
they've given him a lot of ammunition now.
And if it doesn't turn around within three or four weeks,
I wouldn't be Surprised if that money looks to Rafa Benitez.
Wow, intriguing times ahead. The January transfer window.
Always does this right. Throws up. More pressure on managers
club's players to kick on in the second half of the season
and we all know it's not that easy. It's very complicated to
buy players
in this window. So let's put a nice bow on this window. Now,
let's focus on a couple of things to finish up with.
I want to ask you guys. What was your favorite
transfer of deadline day or the January window? Andy? I want to
come to you, mate.
That's a tough one, sentimentally Christian,
Eriksen for everything that it represents and having him back
in the game and potentially returning to the field.
I think in terms of impact in what's going to be here
consequences in the Premier League this season. It's got to
be one of the signings, probably the Spurs made because
if if what Nick and I are feeling and and if predicted
comes true and they're the team that finishes top for
it's probably because either Benton core or cooler chefs key
have Ground running as soon as they landed in London and
really given that team, something that is missing. The
foundation. Is there for that? Type of Team? Antonio Conte is
put that in place one very quickly. But to
before he brought in any of his own players, he found a way to
take. What was there? He found what was useful he found what
wasn't useful put it into something and it's been it's
been functional. It's been operational. And now it has
the potential I think
to be good and to start to realize some of the potential. So
a Spurs signing
To be determined based on who plays well during the second
half of the season. I think is the one that makes the most
impact
Nick. What about you? My favorite signing favorite
moment in the window.
I like that Arsenal bought two, MLS players who saw that coming
in, Matt Turner, and
Austin trustee. Who is, of course, going back on loan to
Colorado and Colorado, really an organization. I kind of
admire for what they did this last year. And so how will they
deal with? That'll be very interesting. At least they get
to keep him. But yeah,
look you're Going to be I told you how much I like the color.
Chefs key move. I love love what
Joe's about Alvarez, it man city, but
to me, it's got to be
Bruno gamer. Ash. This is a player who
is again, the sort of signing that Harkens back to 20, 25
years ago when Newcastle would bring in a Michael Owen is
ill-fated as it was when bringing would bring, they
would bring in Yohan cabaye.
And for 15 years, Newcastle fans
got to watch the
biggest pile of rumors of
Delhi, Ali was identified by them orally,
by Chief Scout, G Scott Graham car
and he never showed up.
Alexandre lacazette,
was identified early. They didn't Pony up the money. It was
all players, like this would then go to other clubs and deliver
and you just got so sick of it. Virgil Van Dyke, by the way.
Now, imagine that just money-wise alone if they get
Van Dyke
and lacazette, are we not thinking about them
building off of a Europa League season? That was just 10 years
ago, but might as well be 100, so, I think that signing is
Big, it's a statement of intent, whether it comes off
and they survive. I don't know.
But they needed that
much. Like, who will stand show this summer even though that's
not working out man united needed to make that signing to
show? They were still a player.
Yeah, and also a mention quickly. I don't know that
an individual signing from Aston Villa will really factor into
this conversation, but I think on the whole just all of
the signings together, every single one of them will have an impact
on that team and fills
a very specific and direct
Direct need within that Squad and I think they've just done
really good business to make that team even better and
stronger under Steven Gerrard yet. I was going to be my one.
I think, Cuttino stands out for me
always, but
yeah, it's just a nice thing to see him back and join us
football after so long, being on loan and buy a Munich and
and not
really taking his chances of Barcelona and injuries, but
go back to what you said, Annie Christian. Eriksen. I don't
think you can beat that for a field. It's story.
It's been rumored for the last few weeks. And now it's
happened on Deadline day to see him when he comes back onto
the pitch for the first time in the Premier League for Brentford
and that's going to be a special moment. And that was a
really special transfer. This has been really special, guys.
Thanks so much for joining me for this lovely
wrap-up of the January transfer window,
and deadline day. Thanks everyone for your questions.
We've loved interacting. Please send them in again on future
chats. We're going to have and And all I can do is
direct you to Pro Shop. A talk on. NBC sports.com,
in the coming hours and days will be breaking down all
the moves or have transfer grades tomorrow up on the website
about which teams to the best moves. Give them a grade for
all 20 clubs who did well, who didn't do as well. We've
already broken that down quite a lot tonight, but we're doing
it even more
and really looking forward to the second half now and
the business end of the Premier League season. Thanks so much
everyone for watching. Thanks a lot for joining me
and have a great.
Great rest of your evening morning night. Wherever you're
watching from and will speak to you all very soon, indeed.
Thanks guys. Take care.