Why are there Two Transfer Windows in the Premier League?
The transfer window. A term that evokes emotions that all football fans are wary of. Whether it’s the excitement of your club signing a much needed striker or the nerves about your favourite player joining another club. Either or, this window only comes around twice a year but it was not orignally like that. The new transfer window was brought in during the 2002/03 season. Prior to this, players could be transferred throughout the season up until March 31st. You could see how this could be viewed as unsustainable. For example, teams who were in a title hunt could acquire players from clubs positioned lower in the table or players who knew they were in a relegation fight could look to jump ship towards the end of the season.
Transfer Windows were introduced as part of an agreement with the European Commission about how the whole transfer system worked and how it could work best to preserve contractual stability for both the player and the club while allowing movement at prescribed times during the year – the summer and winter transfer windows in effect. The summer transfer market currently has no specific time frame. It usually runs from mid-June to the end of August. The winter transfer market opens in January 1st and closes on January 31st.
Who have been the Best and Worst Winter Signings?
The January transfer window has always been a contentious topic as it sees players arrive or leave in the middle of the season. There have been transfers that have worked out great for clubs but there has also been players who have flopped at clubs. Fernando Torres’ decision to leave Liverpool for Chelsea in 2011 was viewed as a hugely controversial move and one that shocked the Premier League world. Let’s take a look at the top five best and worst signings of the January Transfer Window.
Worst
| Player | Signed For |
| 1. Andy Carroll | Liverpool |
| 2. Fernando Torres | Chelsea |
| 3. Alexis Sanchez | Man United |
| 4. Wilfried Bony | Man City |
| 5. Cenk Tosun | Everton |
Best
| Player | Signed For |
| 1. Virgil van Djik | Liverpool |
| 2. Nemanja Vidic | Man United |
| 3. Luis Suarez | Liverpool |
| 4. Philippe Coutinho | Liverpool |
| 5. Bruno Fernandes | Man United |
“What did you expect? This is what I do!”- The First Winter Window Signing
In January 2003, Christophe Dugarry arrived from Bordeaux to join Steve Bruce’s Birmingham City. This transfer was a loan deal until the end of the season but it was the first transfer of the newly introduced winter transfer window. As a World Cup and European Championship winner with France, Dugarry raised eyebrows when he decided to join the struggling Blues. Former player, Darren Carter revealed there was huge excitement with the arrival of Dugarry and the players knew he would bring much needed experience and talent.
“In that group at the time we never had a superstar. It was a hard-working, humble group. Having someone of his stature come to the club created excitement but also a little bit of apprehension to see what kind of character he would be.
Dugarry was a hugely popular figure at the club. Making his debut in a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, Dugarry was one of few Blues players to stand out, highlighting his class and quality in a team that badly needed it. It wouldn’t be until April that the French man would shine as he almost single handedly helped Birmingham City survive with five goals in four games earning four wins for the club and guided them away from the bottom three.
This was a hugely significant signing for the club at a time when they needed a star to provide hope for the faithful Blues supporters. Dugarry’s loan was made permanent in the summer with the club agreeing a two year deal. This, however, did not work out as all had hoped. Dugarry never returned to the club with the same hunger and never settled within the city of Birmingham. In the 2003/04 season, he made only fourteen appearances and scored just once. He was substituted early in a 2-2 draw with rivals Aston Villa and this would signal the last time he would don a Blue’s shirt.
One can always look back at the first transfer of the winter transfer window in the Premier League as a success as Premier League fans had rarely seen a character like Christophe Dugarry. There were elements of his character that were reminiscent of Eric Cantona. On one occasion, Dugarry scored the winner in a 3-2 victory over Southampton and walked towards fans, with his arms open, shouting, “What did you expect? This is what I do!” Past players have recounted that Dugarry turned up at the airport ahead of their pre- season tour of China in a black t-shirt and ripped jeans instead of the club tracksuit. When quizzed about the decision by Steve Bruce, Dugarry simply responded, “Because I’m the star.”
Christophe Dugarry may be one of the unfamiliar names of the Premier League. The mere 6 goals in 30 Premier League appearances won’t catch the eye but his flamboyant nature made him a character you could not forget. He be known in Premier League history as the first signing in the new winter transfer window but he will down as one of the most charismatic players the Premier League has had.