Transfer deadline day has always had a special place in my mind, as it is so unprecedented from any other sport. The excitement, the spectacle, the drama, all of it adds up to nearly ever club in the Premier League making some sort of deadline day deal and if not, it is often met with some sort of disappointment.
While most of the major clubs stayed out of the transfer market today, many EPL clubs made key moves that will help their chances of either staying in the PL or attempting to reach for a higher place. In a two part article series, let’s take a look at many of the larger EPL transfer deadline deals.
Patrick van Aanholt –Sunderland to Crystal Palace (14 million pounds)
In one of the more underrated moves of the entire window, Palace started off their transfer window-spending spree on a 25-year-old Dutch left-back with loads of EPL experience. The move will help Palace’s attempt to escape the relegation zone as van Aanholt has helped Sunderland stay up in what has seemed like every season the last few years.
No defender has scored more Premier League goals since the start of last season than Patrick van Aanholt (7). https://t.co/MvSzMi2dh6
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 30, 2017
The full back will play a key role in the coming months on whether the club can stay up, or will play in the Championship next season. Van Aanholt joins on a four and a half year contract.
Mamadou Sakho – Liverpool to Crystal Palace (Loan)
@CPFC 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/qpPq1RLvv1
— Mamadou Sakho (@mamadousakho) February 1, 2017
Another Crystal Palace transfer that will help strengthen a struggling defense is Liverpool outcast Sakho. Sakho will partner with Joe Ledley in the center-back positions to solidify a solid partner for the Eagles back line. Solid additions from Palace in the defensive roles they desperately needed to address.
Gedion Zelalem – Arsenal to VVV Venlo (Loan)
Rejoice USMNT fans! Another loan that is going to help the future of the country’s team this window after Emerson Hyndman left Bournemouth on loan to Rangers earlier in the window. Zelalem made many US fans happy when he decided to pledge his international future to the USMNT last year over Germany and looked destined to become a star for club and country. The loan to the Dutch league will help him not only develop, but give him some much needed playing time.
Andrea Ranocchia – Inter Milan to Hull City (Loan)
The 28-year-old Italian defender joins Hull on a loan until the end of the season and will surely play a key part in the backline for the Tigers moving forward this season. Ranocchia has struggled to find playing time at Inter and has hoped to find a perfect fit for him in the Premier League.
Andrea Ranocchia has won 314 aerial duels in Serie A since 2012/13; at least 107 more than any other Inter player.
Big presence. https://t.co/2bBHiJmMlC
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 31, 2017
Ranocchia will add some needed help and experience for Hull in their aim to stay up in the Premiership next season as they currently sit bottom of the table.
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