World Football Transfer Window: 5 Teams That Need to Make Deadline Deals

The cold of winter also means the heating up of the January transfer window, which ends on Feb. 2. It is the time of year for struggling clubs to make moves to better position themselves for the remainder of the season.  

Some clubs need a special player to lead them deep into the postseason, while others just simply need to clean house and start over.  

Let's take a look at the five that need to make moves while the window is still open.  

5. Real Madrid

Madrid are surely not the neediest team on this list, but an addition to the perennially loaded club could help strengthen the La Liga leaders.  As usual, Madrid have not had a hard time finding the goal with a goal differential of 49, thanks in large part to strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo.

On a less positive note, the Madrid defenders are not getting any younger, and could use some fresh, talented help to face the opposition.

Do not expect Madrid to make any deals of utmost significance, but it would be wise to do so if they want to keep up with La Liga rival Barcelona come Champions League time.  

4. Inter Milan

Some may say the Nerrazzuri have lost a step or two over the past year, as they have uncharacteristically fallen to fourth in Serie A.  

Since the Carlos Tevez-to-Inter talks have apparently ended, and Wesley Sneijder is staying put in Milan (for now), they probably will not make a big transfer splash until the summer.  

Tevez seems to be too much of a burden to take, but the club may make way for some younger stars to take the reins such as Ricky Alvarez.

3. Arsenal

Long-time boss Arsene Wenger has been under fire for poor coaching decisions as of late, and the Gunners have now stumbled to fifth in the Premier League after losing three matches in a row. 

Maybe Wenger is in denial that he is on the hot seat, and therefore thinks the club should not be shopping in the January transfer window.  They picked up former Gunners great Thierry Henry on a loan deal from the MLS, but that is about all of the buzz coming out of Arsenal's camp. 

Look for Arsenal to make some bigger moves in the summer transfer window, where Robin van Persie could be headed out while Burak Yilmaz could be heading for Arsenal. 

2. Liverpool

Liverpool have been depleted on the offensive front all season, as they have had a hard time putting the ball in the goal.  

Dirk Kuyt has gotten the nod recently over Andy Carroll up front, but neither has done much to solidify their spot in the starting lineup. Luis Suarez has had an up-and-down year, so any kind of personnel switch would be greeted with open arms.  

Look for the Reds to make some kind of move in the next week, as there is a strong possibility they end up with some attacking help, maybe Esteban Granero from Madrid.  

1. Chelsea

No team needs to clean house as much as Chelsea, with their mix of aging and underperforming stars that is turning into a recipe for disaster.  

There is still hope though, as the Blues are openly looking for new additions to the club in the January window. Juventus forward Milos Krasic could be a strong possibility and would make them more youthful up front.  

Expect Chelsea to clean house by ousting some of the older players, as Brazilian defender Alex appears on his way out in the January transfer window. I think Didier Drogba and quite possibly Frank Lampard could be out of Stamford Bridge by this summer as well.