As the first half of the season draws to a conclusion, teams are set to step into the crazy transfer period again. Most teams will be looking to sign players to strengthen their squads, however, they will have to be prudent in their investments as they go about in search of the player that can elevate their team.
Teams should also realise that it is not all about spending big money in the transfer window. Quality doesn’t always come at a big price. That has been proved by these three players that did not cost a dime in transfer fees but have gone on to play very pivotal roles for their clubs in the first half of the season.
Middlesbrough have conceded 22 goals in the Premier League this term, only Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United have conceded fewer than the Riverside outfit. Their defence has been vital as they continue to fight to stay up in the top division of English football. And in Victor Valdes, Boro have found a goalkeeper with proven credentials at the topmost levels, having won the Champions League medals with Barcelona in the past.
The Spaniard had to go through a struggle-ridden period at Manchester United following his departure from the Blaugrana, but Valdes has stepped up ever since making the move to Middlesbrough.
The 34-year-old has kept four clean sheets so far for Boro this season and has been an important presence in the penalty box, averaging 97% success in his attempted claims. Valdes was on top form against his former team United on the New Year’s Eve, making 10 saves on the evening. Middlesbrough have a world class keeper at their hands in Valdes who has a big role to play in their fortunes.
Matip’s value to this Liverpool side can be highlighted by the fact that in the 8 Premier League games that he has not featured, Liverpool have shipped in 12 goals out of the 23 they have conceded over the course of the season.
The 25-year old former Schalke defender has established himself as a vital cog in the Reds’ team and the backline has looked much more vulnerable in his absence. The calmness and composure he brings to the Liverpool defence is something that has made him a key player. The way he dealt with the threats of Diego Costa, Harry Kane and Zlatan Ibrahimović etc., earlier in the season was admirable, to say the least.
Klopp jumped on the opportunity as soon as it presented itself, signing the defender on a pre-contract agreement back in February, and he has been proven right in the evaluation of Matip. And what will please the Reds’ boss further is that Matip will not be joining Cameroon for the AFCON and will stay back in England. Matip will have a big say in the title run-in for Liverpool this term.
There were a lot of sceptics who opined Manchester United’s signing of Ibrahimović was deemed for failure. Given the Swede’s age, he would struggle to keep up with the intensity of the Premier League, they said. But Zlatan has silenced all his detractors with some masterly performances for the Red Devils this term.
Having scored 13 times already in the league, Zlatan is the second highest goalscorer in the English top-flight, behind Chelsea’s Diego Costa who has one goal more. In total, the former PSG star has scored 18 strikes so far, in all competitions, already overtaking Anthony Martial’s tally of most goals for the club last term. He has also been prominently involved in most of the good things United produce in the final third and has set up crucial goals for his teammates.
Jose Mourinho had come out in the press earlier saying the way Zlatan is playing, United cannot afford to leave him out of the team, and he has shown why with 5 goals in his last 5 PL games. With such a level of performance and his excellent fitness levels, it is all but certain United will extend Zlatan’s stay by one more year.
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