Dubai: So Huddersfield Town have set the ball rolling in the annual Premier League ‘let’s-sign-players-to-avoid-relegation’ drama that comes around every January.
Only nine points separate Watford in 10th place in the table and bottom side Swansea City 12 spots below them.
You don’t need to be a football aficionado to know just how costly finishing the season in the bottom three in England’s top flight can be, with relegation meaning drops in sponsorship and the colossal amounts each club receive in TV revenue.
This in turn means chairmen of threatened clubs are ready to loosen the purse strings in the hope that new faces with help keep them safe for another season.
Huddersfield signed AS Monaco defender Terence Kongolo on loan for the rest of the season on Wednesday, and there will be plenty more players making moves as the transfer window gathers speed.
Watford manager Marco Silva has also said he needs to reinforce their back line after Tuesday night’s defeat to Manchester City.
Following an excellent start to the season, Watford now have one victory in their past nine games.
They have been hit hard by injuries to defenders Younes Kaboul and Miguel Britos and have conceded 40 goals in 21 games, behind only Stoke City.
Someone has to go down every season – well three teams actually – so let’s see who can make the inspired transfer market moves to stave off the drop and enjoy the Premier League riches for at least one more season.
Watch this space …
