EPL Winter Window Shopping
by Paul O'Donnell
With many EPL teams in dire need of help in their bid for survival (remember, managing to survive for one more season could be worth tens of millions of dollars with the recent changes to the revenue sharing mechanism) you may hear some of these names show up. One or more of them could be just the ticket to make that mission impossible come true.
Some of them may be limited by contract obligations. Others are limited because they are the key to their current clubs battle for promotion making any sale even more difficult and costly. Still, don't be surprised if you hear some of these names mentioned on a team’s wish list for the winter window shopping season.
What got me thinking about the possibilities involving some of these players was the comments by several EPL managers about the lack of interest in the 'winter window' because there wouldn't be any big name (meaning big money) players available this year. Frankly, that tells me possible moves involving some of these guys may be more likely than ever. Plus, the fact that Dean Ashton has proven to be a creative and productive player at the EPL level (the only thing that has limited him is his inability to stay off the injury list) seems to me to make some of these guys more attractive to some EPL teams.
As I said there may be other issues that make any move for some of them less likely but their potential to help many EPL teams is not likely to be the deciding factor for many. That they would or could is not in doubt.
James Beattie (Sheffield United)
The current leading scorer in the League Championship and a man with considerable experience at the EPL level, Beattie has Sheffield United within striking distance for a promotion spot (currently 12th). He is still young enough (29) to make a substantial investment less of a gamble this man simply must be under consideration by several clubs that have demonstrated difficulty producing goals. He is a proven commodity that had a difficult run with Everton but his performance at Southampton was superb over several seasons. Over his professional playing career Beattie has produced a goal every 3rd appearance which is far better than many EPL strikers that come to mind.
While contract obligations may limit any potential move he may be attractive enough to those in desperate need of help up front to find a way to deal with that.
Kevin Phillips (West Brom)
This man, despite his age (34), is likely to be more than just minimally attractive to a number of teams. Not many can say they've scored almost 200 goals (actually 193) in their professional career, but this guy is among that elite class. He has led West Brom to the top of the League Championship and is tied for 2nd in goals scored this season. Phillips has actually produced goals at a faster clip than almost anyone else in English pro soccer since he's been at West Brom (27 goals in only 43 starts).
Since making that move Phillips has proven his quality and totally recovered from a rash of injuries that limited his appearances and production for Aston Villa. Can he be pried away from West Brom, or is the commitment there such that making a move is just not likely? I don't know the details of that but with them the current leaders of the league and a likely candidate to finish in one of the automatic promotion spots he may simply be unavailable for any move.
That said, this guy would surely be a big help for any of several EPL sides that have found putting the ball in the net a difficult proposition.
Robbie Fowler (Cardiff)
I'm not kidding. He's actually two years younger than Phillips and he's still producing goals at a valuable rate (4 goals in 10 starts for Cardiff). Many may not realize this but this guy has scored more than 230 goals in his pro career and I believe is the 2nd most productive goal scorer that is currently active in professional soccer in England since Shearer retired (Andy Cole (Sunderland) is #1). Don't know what his status is fitness wise and that would likely be a key issue for anyone considering making a bid for his services.
Andy Gray (Burnley)
A journeyman but productive goal scorer, at 30 Gray could be among those being considered for a change of scenery. Gray is currently tied with Phillips for 2nd place in goal scoring one behind Beattie. Burnley is not likely to be involved in the promotion fight and that could actually make his availability even more likely.
Wayne Routledge (Tottenham)
Currently languishing in the shadows at Tottenham Routledge is still quite young and needs to be putting in time on the pitch somewhere. He has made only two appearances for Spurs this season after unproductive loan spells at Fulham and Portsmouth. His time at Crystal Palace functioning as the provider for Andy Johnson established this man as an up and coming talent and his move to Tottenham has turned out to do little more than put his career on hold. This man needs an opportunity to play and it wouldn't be surprising to find him being made available for the winter shopping list. A change of scenery would be the best thing that could happen for Routledge and some team could be the real beneficiary.
Marlon King (Watford)
Since Watford is involved in the battle for an automatic promotion spot a change for King is probably not likely. That he could be a big help to some EPL side is not in doubt as he is currently 3rd in goal production in the League Championship. His commitment to the Hornets effort to regain premiership status may mean a change for him is not likely to happen regardless of who may need his help producing goals.
Stern John (Southampton)
Roy Keane allowing this guy to move from Sunderland was a surprise to be honest and now Keano says he's looking for established and experienced pros to help his team fight off relegation. Hmm. Anyway, John is a proven commodity and a force to be reckoned with up front with his physical presence despite his age (31). The Saints aren't in the battle for promotion at this stage and that may mean John's value to them could be his price on the market in the winter window. Seems like a really long time ago that he was the leading goal scorer for the Columbus Crew.
There are surely others that are under the watchful eye of EPL shoppers such as Darius Henderson, Clinton Morrison, Dean Windass, etc, and defenders too, but the above are a few that I expect to be among those more likely to be involved. Several because they have produced at the EPL level over their playing careers and at least one that really needs to make a change to get back in the action.
And, we may see a goal keeper or two change their shirts too. Lehman (Arsenal) has made his desires for a change public and believe it or not Fulham actually have a keeper they may see as more valuable on the transfer market.
So, don't think this will be a boring winter window after all. If it turns out that way it could mean some teams that need to make some changes weren't paying attention.
