Transfer Window XI: Best players to move in January

Centre Midfield – Kim Kallstrom (Spartak Moscow to Arsenal)

A lot of Gunners fans were somewhat underwhelmed that Kallstrom was the only player coming through the entrance to the Emirates stadium on deadline day, with striking reinforcements the priority in their minds.

But they have signed a player of real ability, with the Swedish midfielder displaying real industry in the centre of the park, a position Arsenal need cover in.

Kallstrom won 76% of his tackles for Spartak Moscow this season and created eight chances in his ten appearances for the Russian side.

Centre Midfield – Nemanja Matic (Benfica to Chelsea)

This was the signing that kicked the transfer window into life, as Chelsea threw £21m at benfica to strengthen their options in the centre of the park.

Matic returned to Stamford Bridge after being sent to Portugal as part of the deal that brought David Luiz to West London, but having developed as a player at Estadio De Luz, he has returned to marshal the Blues’ midfield.

Matic completed 83% of his passes for Benfica in the Champions League and already boasts an 86% passing success in his two substitute appearances for Chelsea since arriving.

Right Wing – Lewis Holtby (Spurs to Fulham)

It was expected that Holtby would return to Germany after failing to make much of an impression in the Spurs team since joining last January, but this is a move that could suit all parties.

Spurs get an unhappy player off their books and get Premier League experience, Holtby gets the game time he wants and Fulham get a player of real ability to bolster their survival hopes.

Lewis Holtby still managed to create 17 chances in his limited game time at White Hart Lane, carving out an opportunity once every 32 minutes.

Left Wing – Mohamed Salah (Basel to Chelsea)

Most people were expecting Salah to turn up at Liverpool after a long chase, but suddenly Chelsea sprung up out of nowhere to snag his signature.

It’s difficult to see where he fits into Chelsea’s system, but he is undoubtedly a fine player with pace and end product in his locker, as dispalyed by his two goals in two games against Chelsea in the Champions League this season.

Salah had a 69% take-on success in the Champions League, while he drew 13 fouls in the six group games.

Centre-Attacking Midfield – Juan Mata (Chelsea to Manchester United)

This was the marquee signing of the transfer window, with Juan Mata making his much heralded move from Chelsea to their Premier League rivals, Manchester United.

Chelsea’s player of the year for two successive years was criminally underused by Jose Mourinho and with United crying out for some creativity in the midfield, this was a move that made sense for Mata and United, if not for Chelsea, who will rue this transfer in time .

Mata created four chances in his first game for the reds, one less than Shinji Kagawa has managed in nine appearances all season.

Juan Mata stats

Striker – Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos to Fulham)

Fulham had a very good window in all and made some shrewd moves that could well prove the difference in their survival battle.

Kostas Mitroglou has a superb record in Greece, while he became the first Greek player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League this season.

Mitroglou had 13 shots in his five Champions League appearances and boasted a conversion rate of 23.1% as Olympiakos qualified from the group stages for the first time.

Transfer Window XI