Back of the Net!

Speaking as an ever-watchful fan of the English Premier League, the January transfer window is one of the most thrilling aspects of the modern game.

The press go into a frenzy, blogs and message boards go crazy with their own responses to the tabloid speculation, and there are always winners and losers.  (Will Middlesbrough lose Stewart Downing and/or Tuncay?  Should they cash in on big match shirker Downing?)

There will be shocks too, as Mark Hughes opens his £50-100m transfer warchest and points and clicks to buy the worlds best players for super-rich Manchester City.  Which given his teams recent record in the league is quite useful.  Might even keep him in a job.

Elsewhere the endless speculation on Michael Owen’s future is bound to continue, but the really great, surprising stuff traditionally comes up last minute.   Big names on loan at small teams, past-it players trumpeted as “get out of jail free” cards for under-fire manager.

Whether or not players like Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch or Emile Heskey return to their former clubs is also set to be decided over the next few weeks, certainly before the January transfer window closes confusingly on Monday February 2nd 2009.

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