Shearer says: “Aubameyang could be a fantastic bit of business by Arsenal”

Premier League legend discusses the January window

It was no surprise to see a record amount of money spent in the January transfer window. That will only get bigger when the next television deal is announced.

January is often described as the ‘panic window.’ Clubs were desperate for players, some got them and others didn’t because they left it too late.

One of the biggest transfers was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal. There is no doubting this guy’s record over the last couple of years.

When goal scorers are put on sale, they go for a premium price. When you look at current market rate of transfer fees, Arsenal have got him cheap by comparison and I am surprised other clubs were not in for him.

Jurgen Klopp worked with Aubameyang at Dortmund and Manchester City were in for a striker after missing out on Alexis Sanchez so it would be interesting to know if he ever crossed their minds.

If he continues to score the goals as he has done in the past, it could end up being a fantastic bit of business for Arsenal.

Giroud to Chelsea

I was a little surprised that Olivier Giroud went from Arsenal to Chelsea.

What amazes me is that Chelsea had a month to bring in a striker and they left it until the last day to decide that Batshuayi was not good enough so they got Giroud with a few hours to spare.

Antonio Conte must look around at other clubs and see that Arsenal spent £60 million on Aubameyang, Liverpool splashed out £75 million on Virgil Van Dijk and Manchester United won the race to sign Sanchez and wonder why he has not had that luxury.

In Chelsea’s window, Conte has ended up with Ross Barkley, Giroud and Palmieri. Giroud is obviously proven in the Premier League, has a decent goalscoring record and has experience.

Over the next couple of years or so they will get some decent football out of him. He won’t be a regular starter there though and he is not a long-term solution.

Conte and Chelsea

Something is definitely amiss at Chelsea with Conte.

Whenever he is questioned about a player, he always answers that they should speak to the club as he is there to coach the players.

It is a familiar theme with Chelsea as whoever goes in tends to only last for a couple of years.

If you are a Chelsea fan, you’d have to be worried about his position over the next few weeks especially if they don’t get a result against Barcelona in the Champions League.

I am only saying that because of history and how they have parted with managers before.

Having said that, it has proven successful for them in recent years as they have still won trophies.

Can Sturridge stay fit?

Daniel Sturridge is another striker who got a move during the window. He didn’t fit Klopp’s mould at Liverpool.

Then again he never really had a chance to play him on a regular basis because he has struggled with injuries for a number of years now.

I have to say, I was very surprised he chose West Brom over Newcastle and that is not me being biased.

There is no doubting his ability but it has been difficult keeping him fit. If he plays from now until the end of the season and he scores goals, Gareth Southgate will have to take note. 

Rafa and Newcastle

The transfer window was frustrating but not surprising for Newcastle. They got rid of one centre forward and brought another one in.

I tweeted the other day that over the last 11 years their average net spend has been £4.5 million per year.

It is unbelievable when you consider you are guaranteed 52,000 fans per home game and you get around £110 million for staying in the Premier League.

Rafa Benitez has said he has an obligation to stay and to keep the club in the Premier League, which is great. We are already in a relegation scrap but we would be doomed if he was to leave.

The fans understand the position he is in. Rafa came out in early January and said he had given the board a list of transfers he wanted and he hoped to have them in by mid January.

For the club to then be scrambling in the last few hours of the window to secure two signings suggests they weren’t the ones he targeted. 

We have three players in though and hopefully the new faces can freshen things up a bit.

Mahrez and Man City 

I thought the offer which was tabled by Manchester City for Riyad Mahrez was good so I am surprised Leicester did not take it. They could have a problem with him now.

The manager is going to have to work very hard to get him back on his side.

It remains to be seen if he can resurrect a move to City in the summer but if a player wants to leave, normally they end up getting their way.

My guess would be that we will see a very different Mahrez from now until the end of the season.