Fernando Torres, Andy Carroll and World Football Transfer Window Wrap-Up
The world football winter transfer window closed late last night, and there was plenty of action across the board, right up until midnight.
With rumors rocketing around like pinballs, back and forth across the sport's landscape, it was hard to tell what was true, what was speculation and what was just plain wrong.
Now that the dust has settled, we're taking a look at some of the biggest transfer moves of the season, breaking down what they mean, how much they cost and whether the move was a smart one in the end.
We've got plenty of ground to cover, so let's get rolling, shall we?
Edin Dzeko Joins Manchester City
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Manchester City added yet another body to an already deep talent pool at forward early in the transfer season, dropping £27 million to acquire the big man from German club VfL Wolfsburg.
Dzeko comes with quite the goal scoring pedigree, having netted 70 goals since the start of the 2008-2009 season, and given City's need to make a run, the move could make sense.
But, given that they've already got high-priced strike weapons like Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, the move was a bit of a surprise. Where will the big Bosnian international fit? Will there be enough chances to keep all three strikers happy, or will it become a serious issue down the road?
In the end, though, a move like this should help City keep pace with table leaders Manchester United and Arsenal, as it gives them more weapons with which to work.
Darren Bent Joins Villa
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In one of the biggest scores of the transfer period, Aston Villa managed to convince Sunderland striker Darren Bent to come to their team after providing Sunderland with an £18 million transfer fee in return.
Never mind that Villa sits nine points and six positions behind Sunderland in the standings, Bent was also one of the league's most potent goalscorers this season. He'd netted eight goals in 21 games, and scored his ninth in his debut with Villa to move him into fifth place in the league.
The move is a major steal for Villa, who are fighting to stay above water, sitting just six points out of the relegation zone. Bent provides them with a major offensive upgrade, and will be crucial to keeping Villa out of danger.
Steven Peinaar Jumps Ship To Spurs
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South African playmaker Steven Pienaar joined the list of players who have jumped ship from Everton, and made serious waves when he opted against joining Chelsea to play for fifth-place Tottenham.
Spurs needed Pienaar's playmaking ability in the midfield, although the 29-year-old doesn't help their occasional goalscoring woes much. He's a hard worker, and one of those players who can do all of the little things a team needs to be successful.
Considering it cost Spurs just £2.5 million to get the midfielder from the Blues, it seems like a true steal compared to some of the cash being thrown about at the end of the window.
Michael Bradley Joins Villa As Well
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American midfielder Michael Bradley is getting a chance to show what he can do on the biggest stage on Earth, after Aston Villa acquired the 23-year-old from Borussia Monchengladbach near the end of the transfer window.
Bradley was key to the Americans' efforts at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, providing them with a somewhat stable presence in a midfield that couldn't find the right mix of talent. He's an excellent distributor with a good scoring touch, something Villa could certainly use.
Add that to his expressed desire to prove himself, and, if things work out, Aston Villa could have found one of the steals of the transfer window.
Emmanuel Adebayor Heads To Spain
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Manchester City did sell a player during the transfer period, and given his level of play, it has to be considered a real positive.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who never really fit with City's roster, headed to Real Madrid, who are in the midst of a furious fight to stay alive in La Liga's title chase.
Adebayor can be one of the world's best strikers, when the mood hits him to do so. But the 26-year-old has shown a nasty habit of disappearing or fading out of games at the worst possible times, and does get sulky on occasion.
If Madrid can keep the Togo international happy with playing time alongside Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain, you can bet that this loan will be considered a major success.
Andy Reid Bound For Blackpool, Adam Stays a Tangerine
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Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid is bound for Blackpool, after the Tangerines acquired the 28-year-old midfielder midway through the day.
However, just as important to manager Ian Holloway's cause, fellow midfielder Charlie Adam will be staying in Blackpool, after the team denied a £14 million request from Liverpool to acquire Adam.
Reid and Adam both give Blackpool the talent to maintain their position in the tables, and give them a boost in ball-handling and crossing.
Adam's corners and frees are undeniably valuable, as noted by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson when he told the press that Adam's free kicks alone were worth £10 million. In the end, transfer day has to be considered a rousing success for the Tangerines.
Luis Suarez Joins Liverpool
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Liverpool jumped into the transfer pool feet first earlier this week, when the team announced they were signing Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez to a £22.5 million deal.
Suarez had been lighting up the Dutch Eredivisie since his arrival with Ajax, having netted 48 goals in 48 games for the side last season, and scoring 12 goals during this year's campaign.
He joins a Liverpool side desperate for goalscorers with the departure of star striker Fernando Torres, and while Suarez may lack the upside of Torres, he should help soften the blow of losing him.
David Luiz Shores Up Chelsea's Back Line
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Chelsea may have lost out on Steven Pienaar, but the Blues managed to fill another need by nabbing Benfica defender David Luiz for a reported £25.5 million.
Luiz represents a major upgrade on the back line for Chelsea, who are in desperate need of a bit of speed in the back. He's skilled on the ball, and is a big physical presence who could become the heir apparent to John Terry at left back.
Given that Benfica had been asking for £42 million to score this promising young Brazilian, it can be reasoned that Chelsea managed quite the steal in nabbing him from the Portuguese side. All in all, this looks like a serious victory for the Blues.
Andy Carroll Leaves Newcastle For Liverpool
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In one of the more surprising moves of the day, Liverpool further softened the blow of losing Fernando Torres by sweeping up Newcastle's precocious young striker Andy Carroll.
The 22-year-old has been sublime at St. James Park this season, despite his occasional temper issues, and it wasn't surprising to see him on many club's wish lists.
What was surprising, however, was the price tag. Carroll wound up costing the Reds a cool £35 million, which makes him the eighth-most expensive transfer in history.
All of that for a player who, while laden with potential, is still somewhat raw, and has yet to play a full season in the Premiership.
Add to that the fact that Carroll won't be helping Anfield's cause for at least a month, and you have one of the stranger moves of the transfer deadline. It's not that Carroll won't help the Kop get rocking again, but it's a matter of whether he was worth the hefty price at this stage.
Fernando Torres Jumps To Chelsea
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You knew it was coming. You knew that sooner or later, Fernando Torres would leave Anfield. You didn't know when, or where he would go, but the writing was on the wall.
The finally came Monday, when Liverpool announced a £50 million transfer that would send their talismanic striker to Chelsea to shore up the Blues' attack.
While the move looks like a win-win, don't be too quick to crown Chelsea league champs after snagging the talented Spaniard.
After all, incumbent goal machine Didier Drogba doesn't always mesh well with other strikers, hence why the Blues play with only one on the pitch. Likewise, Torres is used to being the primary goalscorer, so expect some major growing pains as the two get accustomed to one another.
The Blues currently sit fourth, 10 points back of table leaders Manchester United, and this move helps them close the gap. Torres gives them an unprecedented level of offense, and pairing him with Drogba makes them one of the world's most dangerous squads. All in all, Chelsea have to be considered one of the winners of the transfer period.
