Fulham have gained an excellent deadline day signing of Konstantinos Mitroglou from Olympiacos, a prolific forward who will score goals. Before moving to Olympiacos, the forward had previously played for Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, scoring 14 goals in 33 games for their reserve side. He joined Olympiacos in 2007, loaned out for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. However, he really broke into the first team in the 2012-2013 season, scoring 20 goals in 42 games in all competitions, including an equaliser against Arsenal in a Champions League group game at The Emirates. This season, however, has been his best to date, scoring 14 goals in just 12 games in the Greek Super League, 17 in 19 in all competitions. His £11 million move to Fulham could spark a revival and help them avoid relegation.
The big deal in January is obviously Juan Mata to Chelsea. But will he really change the Premier League champions? Obviously he's a player with a large reputation in the English and Spanish leagues but is he the man that can put United back on track in the fight for the Champions League places? In my opinion, although he isn't necessarily a player that United needed, he does add an extra layer to the team. He is a creative outlet, getting 17 assists last season (the top assists in the division), and also scores goals. Obviously this is something that the Red Devils would prefer to have in their side. However, maybe a midfielder that could sit deeper, someone like Xabi Alonso, would have been a better option. Even a left-back, like Luke Shaw or Fabio Coentrao would have made more sense. But few teams would turn down the chance to sign a player of Mata's calibre and he will add more depth to this struggling United side.
Thomas Ince to Crystal Palace could be a real crucial signing this January. Someone that can cross the ball to a player such as Chamakh is very important and will surely add goals and assists to Tony Pulis' team. Crystal Palace are a team that are very good in the air and Ince's ability would add something extra. For a team that play with width, a winger such as Ince is ideal for the Eagles and is a real good signing, albeit on loan. Jason Puncheon on a permanent is also a great buy.
Nemanja Matic from Sporting Lisbon is possibly the worst piece of business this month from Chelsea. They let him go to the Portuguese team as part of the David Luiz deal along with £25 Million, found out he was actually immensely talented and signed him back for £21 Million. Although it wasn't Jose Mourinho who sold him (Carlo Ancelotti brought in Luiz with Matic going the other way), they could have bought a player in position that was weak, such as a striker, for a lower price and would have been immediately more effective.
All in all, I think Hull City have done pretty good business, strengthening in the areas that were needed, striker, bringing in Jelavic and Long from Everton and West Bromwich Albion respectively, however in my opinion West Ham United have done the best business, bringing in Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello from AC Milan and Roma on loan as well as Pablo Armero from Napoli. Nocerino is a classic centre midfielder, a real all rounder whilst Borriello is a goalscorer who is very powerful. Armero could be seen as a panic buy due to Joey O'Brien's season ending injury but is actually an excellent player. Truly a wing back, quick and a top passer, he will really add something to West Ham that they really need at this stage of the season.
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