Hit or miss? Charlie Nicholas gives us his verdict on the January transfer deals so far
Tuesday 31 January 2017 08:48, UK
Sky Sports' Charlie Nicholas runs the rule over the January transfer deals so far, and asks you to give your verdict - hit or miss?
The transfer window closes in a matter of hours, with plenty of last-minute business sure to take place, but plenty of major signings have already been completed. Have clubs picked up the right man, or have they been taken for a ride? Nicholas gives us his verdict on the major transfers so far, but what do you think?
Leave a comment at the bottom of the page or join the debate on Twitter by sending your views to @SkyFootball.
Joey Barton to Burnley - Hit
For me he's a good buy because he's a good squad player for them and he certainly won't mess with Sean Dyche!
Jeffrey Schlupp to Crystal Palace - Hit
He'll be really important on the counter-attack with his dynamic pace and Sam Allardyce will want him running off Christian Benteke for flick-ons.
Patrick van Aanholt to Palace - Miss
I'm not convinced by him. He struggles defensively as a full-back and is only really suited to playing at wing-back.
Ademola Lookman to Everton - Miss
In terms of making an impact this season he's a miss as I can't see him playing. There's also a big question mark as to where they're going to fit him in, especially with Ronald Koeman having money in the summer and if there's somebody they can fit in quicker.
Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton - Hit
He's a very good signing. Two years ago he was a player I was looking at coming to Arsenal. He's got a good temperament, not silly in the tackle, unlike a certain player who we did sign, and a good range of passing.
Lazar Markovic to Hull on loan - Miss
I did not see enough from him at Liverpool to suggest he's what Hull need. He's not necessary the same as Robert Snodgrass, but they need somebody good on the ball, whereas Markovic seems to make his best runs off the ball.
Wilfred Ndidi to Leicester - Jury out
Live Nissan Super Sunday
I genuinely have to hold my hands up and say I haven't seen much of him but what I have seen wasn't overly impressive.
Rudy Gestede to Middlesbrough - Hit
I was surprised when it happened and I thought Middlesbrough might have gone for something more in terms of movement, but he does give them another option. David Nugent doesn't score goals at the top level and Jordan Rhodes doesn't get involved in the game enough, whereas Gestede has the physicality to be an alternative for Alvaro Negredo.
Patrick Bamford to Middlesbrough - Hit
I like Bamford and we all know he has ability, having had a very good period here before. I think he is a better player than Cristhian Stuani to support Negredo along with Adama Traore.
Saido Berahino to Stoke - Hit
I don't think he will be a success right away but he will be for next season once he gets his fitness back. It could take him six to eight games to get up to pace but he is a fine talent with a good goalscoring record.
Joleon Lescott to Sunderland - Hit
This is the desperado signing for a desperado club. I believe David Moyes is trying to get Phil Jagielka, who I believe they're trying to sign, but Lescott is just a boost of another body in as they need to play three at the back.
Tom Carroll to Swansea - Hit
He's a nice, neat tidy player and will fit in well for Leon Britton as another good footballer, although I can still see them going down. With the modern day finances in the game it's a good value deal.
Tom Cleverley to Watford - Miss
This isn't a negative on the player, who has proved he's a good footballer, but I don't know how he fits into their system. He needs playing time but I think he'll be frustrated if he expects to be in a side which plays football.
Mauro Zarate to Watford - Miss
He didn't sparkle for me at West Ham, even though he was in a side with good technical players and it's going to find it even tougher here in a side which don't play the football he suits.
Jake Livermore to West Brom - Hit
He's another player who has got good qualities and I was surprised Hull let him go for this much as I thought they could have got a lot of money, especially when they don't have much to replace him. He's a big upgrade on Claudio Yacob, who is just there to snap people.
Jose Fonte to West Ham - Hit
An absolute must buy for West Ham and I think he's got a good few seasons left in him as he's always been more about positioning and decisions than pace. I think he'll actually help the rest of the defence with his experience and leadership.
Robert Snodgrass to West Ham - Hit
I like Snodgrass and I thought it was fair money at his age, but please don't think he's a replacement for Dimitri Payet, who they simply had to get out the door. He's an important replacement for set-pieces, feeding Fonte and Andy Carroll with his delivery.
