The fireworks of the coming of the new year did not stop in the wide world of soccer, as the winter transfer window opened for business.
This edition of the Top Five takes a look at Barcelona’s first bombshell of the winter, plus other noise-making transactions, the narrowing Serie A title race hits the halfway mark, and Arsenal’s latest disaster.
This and much more in this chilly winter edition of 90 Minutes’ Top Five.
1. Coutinho hits the big time
Consider the winter transfer window officially open.
After half a year or talk, speculation, and questions, the Philippe Coutinho soap opera had its grand finale on Saturday. Liverpool, after denying it and resisting it time and time again, finally wavered and sold its star playmaker for a whopping 160 million euros, the third most expensive transfer in history only behind the Neymar and Kylian Mbappe acquisitions by PSG.
Following the shock sale of Neymar in the summer, Coutinho quickly became Barcelona’s holy grail born out of desperation. Even after the acquisition of Ousmane Dembele, the Brazilian was seen as the natural successor and perfect painkiller, especially as the would left by Neymar became more obvious. But even with their financial might, Barcelona was unable to pry Coutinho away from Anfield. Six months later, they get their man. Coutinho will not be allowed to play in the Champions League for the Spaniards, having already participated with Liverpool. However, as Barcelona seek redemption in La Liga, Coutinho will become a key piece in their road to another Spanish crown, and a luxury alternative for the aging Andres Iniesta.
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Long gone are the days of La Masia producing generations of Barcelona stars. Coutinho is now called to be the golden child of the new-age Barca
2. Winter fireworks
While Coutinho’s transfer has stolen the headlines since the turn of the new year, the move is far from the only newsworthy transaction during this winter window.
Coutinho’s sale more than makes up for Liverpool’s acquisition of their own long-time obsession: Virgil Van Dijk. The Dutch centre back arrived at Anfield from Southampton being the most expensive transfer for a defender in history at 84.5 million euros. The gigantic investment is already paying off with his game-winning goal against Everton in FA Cup action on Friday, but the giant fee and the equally giant effort Liverpool made to bring him on are still astounding. Jurgen Klopp’s side has a glaring defensive problem, but the market offers a number of more solid centre back wh could have been acquired at a similar fee. The pressure on the Dutch to be some kind of defensive savior for this club will be tremendous. Speaking of Everton, the Toffees are following a busy summer window with an active start to the winter, making an investment in Turkish striker Cenk Tosun to fill the big gap left by Romelu Lukaku’s departure. As Tosun was about to arrive, Ross Barkley complete his own exit from Everton, completing the move to Chelsea that was comically left undone over the summer.
January isn’t even halfway done, as the fireworks have already started. Expect an active winter transfer window to pick up steam in the coming days.
3. Halfway to glory
The Serie A season has hit its delayed winter break, and the field of contenders is more clear than ever.
Napoli finished off a remarkable first half of the season atop the standings with a commanding 2-0 win over Verona at the San Paolo on Saturday, extending its winning streak to four matches. Their lead is as narrow as it could be, however. Defending champions Juventus trail by a single point, and are in the middle of a four-match winning streak of their own after edging out Cagliari. The list of title contenders stops with these two teams, as a large gap has opened up behind second place. Inter closed out 2017 in a significant slump, failing to win in their last five league matches after occupying at one point this season, and suffering the absence of centre back depth. The same can be said about Roma, whose thin title chances faded away with two losses and a draw in the last three matches. The once-crowded title race is quickly dropping the weak links by the wayside, leaving the most consistent teams alive.
Both Juve and Napoli are still alive in European competition, with the former also facing Coppa Italia play in the upcoming weeks. Napoli’s Achilles’ heel the last couple of seasons has been the lack of bench resulting in the wearing down of its starting players. How will Maurizio Sarri manage fatigue now that Napoli have their best opportunity at the elusive Scudetto in decades? Will Juve’s experience and talent depth eventually overcome and direct them to a seventh straight Serie A title?
4. When it rains…
So much for the FA Cup being Arsenal’s favorite competition.
The defending champions were unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament by Championship side Nottingham Forest, suffering a 4-2 defeat while fielding a side that featured nine changes from the regular Premier League lineup. The third-round loss is first in the 21 years Arsene Wenger has been in charge of the London club. Most importantly, the loss is another blow to an already tourble-filled season for the Gunners. Between the failing Premier League campaign, where the goal of finishing in the top four is gradually fading away, and the looming free agency of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, 2017-2018 is shaping up to be a season to forget at the Emirates. Wenger felt enough confidence to field a side without Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette and others, but the gamble went very wrong, as Nottingham exposed Arsenal’s characteristic defensive flaws on an unforgettable night for American Eric Lichaj, who scored his team’s first two goals.
With four months left in the season, Arsenal is now in the same position Wenger was at the City Ground: on the outside looking in.
5. Endless magic
While Arsenal continue to suffer defeats, Manchester City rolls on in the FA Cup after overcoming Burnley at the Eithad. After finding themselves 1-0 down, Sergio Aguero led the quick comeback by netting two goals in two minutes, both assisted by the equally-impressive Ilkay Gundogan. Aguero’s second goal, finishing a magical construction and assist by the German, is the Top Five Goal of the Weekend.
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