An Unsuccessful January Transfer (Video)

Managers say there is no value in the January transfer window whatsoever and 2012 showed that, Papiss Demba Cisse’s £10 million move from Freiburg to Newcastle United was the biggest fee paid by a Premier League side but 2011 was a whole different story.

Geordie giant Andy Carroll made his first Newcastle United appearance as a 17 year old in the UEFA Cup, fast forward to 2010, following 17 goals in 39 Championship games leading The Toon to the title and back to the top flight, Carroll was showing he had Premier League quality. In his first 19 Premier League games in 2010/11 Carroll had netted an impressive 11 goals.

The big man’s form meant he was linked with plenty of moves away from St James’ Park and on 31 January, increased from a £30 million bid, Liverpool and Newcastle agreed a £35 million fee for Carroll, seen as a direct replacement for the hole left by Fernando Torres’ £50 million departure for Liverpool.

In the same transfer window Luis Suarez moved to Anfield for £22 million from Ajax and became an immediate success in a Liverpool shirt, unlike Andy Carroll.

A struggle for consistent fitness hampered Carroll’s first full season at Liverpool scoring just 9 goals in 47 games. The struggle for Big AC now is Brendan Rodgers doesn’t want him, when the new boss arrived in the summer he made it clear that Carroll didn’t suit his style and sent him on a season long loan to West Ham United.

The road back to Newcastle is a long one but I’m sure he will be making the journey soon.

Sam Jewell

Follow @sw_jewell