The freedom to do nothing
Two days until the transfer window shuts. So what’s the plan?
Buy or sell? Stick or twist? What players do we need? Who can come in and do a job? Who can we trust?
In the modern world of online scouting technologies and unprecedented connectivity, we have more choices and more resources than ever before.
The problem with shopping in January of course is that you’re essentially in the market for what everyone else is buying. Which means you’re likely to pay a premium. Supply and demand.
A cynical way of looking at the January transfer window would be: It’s a trap, an orchestrated mass media facade based on herd dynamics.
Granted, it’s not that straightforward. Injuries happen, players may want to move on, sometimes you really do need that player.
But consider this statistic before bringing new faces into the dressing room:
Since 2009-10 in the Premier League, 54% of January signings have failed to play more than 50% of league minutes available to them after joining the club. Exactly the same proportion as players already playing at the club.
So then the question becomes: What if the answer lies in the room?
