Tuesday 24 January 2017 15:35, UK
The January transfer window can be a busy time as clubs scramble to turn their season around. In the latest part of our Changing Face of Scouting series, we take a look at the pitfalls of buying mid-season and those who have got it sussed.
Everyone remembers the isolated examples. Luis Suarez went to Liverpool. Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra arrived at Manchester United. But make no mistake, the January transfer window is a tricky time to pick up a bargain and clubs are well aware of the risks.
Rob Mackenzie certainly knows the challenges that come in January from his time at Leicester, Tottenham and, most recently, in his role as director of recruitment at Derby County. He feels there are reasons why it is synonymous with a lack of value for money.
"I heard numerous post-match interviews with managers over the festive period citing the need for new recruits to 'kick-start their season' or to 'freshen things up'," Mackenzie tells Sky Sports. "But players need to be available for clubs to sign them.
"Other clubs' reluctance to sell their best players halfway through a season, means that clubs generally have to pay over and above a player's prospective value in order to sign someone who is currently in form."
So how can clubs get around that problem? And what is it really like to be involved at the sharp end as deadline day approaches? Here, Mackenzie addresses the issues and looks at those who are able to deal with the window better than others…
What is the transfer window like for recruiters?
As someone working within a recruitment department during a transfer window you are constantly getting updates from agents as to the evolving situations of their respective clients and you have a number of players who you want to remain in the loop with.
It might be that certain players move within the market which then frees up an opportunity that was previously unavailable to you. As a result, sometimes you feel like you are watching what everyone else is doing as opposed to necessarily doing that much yourself.
It all depends on where your club is at during that period of time. Within those periods, you are constantly assessing and evaluating others clubs' business and subconsciously asking yourself whether they would have been suitable for your club or not.
The realities of working in a window can be quite tough as you often cannot influence future opportunities that are out of your control. But what you can do is be as well prepared as possible to take them if and when they do arise.
So what are the problems with buying in January?
January is a notoriously difficult window to sign players in as quality and value for money are hard to find and the reasons behind players being available tend not to be positive ones.
In my experience, clubs in England tend to look for players who can hit the ground running and positively affect things immediately in January, and given that is the remit it is usually the clubs who are struggling who are the most eager to make this change.
The big issue comes with the type of player that tends to be available at this time of year. They are usually out of the team, have recently experienced injury or are not performing to a high enough level.
Therefore, there tends to be a big disconnect between the remit of a player who can hit the ground running immediately, and the types of situations that potentially available players find themselves in.
We have already seen a Championship club sign a player this window who had played in only six per cent of his club's total minutes during the 18 months prior to his transfer.
For example, we have already seen a Championship club, one eager to attract someone capable of making an immediate impact, sign a player this window who had played in only six per cent of his club's total minutes during the 18 months prior to his transfer.
While it appears there is significant disparity between remit and outcome, no doubt people at the club felt under pressure to deliver a player with pedigree who was available early in the window for a small fee. By signing early, he at least has more time to adapt.
Which clubs have got the transfer window sussed?
Clubs with definitive styles of play and a clear recruitment philosophy are best placed to maximise opportunities. Without those things in place, it is easy to move from one target to another and struggle to work out who is most suitable and who represents best value.
In my opinion, clubs abroad, most notably in Germany, appear to approach the January transfer window differently. Even if deals are done in January, they tend to finalise them earlier in order to give the selling club the best chance to plan for their player's departure.
By doing so they give themselves the best chance of acquiring suitable players at a good price. For example, Thomas Delaney joined Werder Bremen from FC Copenhagen for £1.5m this month but it was no panic buy - the deal was actually announced in August 2016.
