In previous seasons, January's Transfer Window has delivered Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers an array of talented players who have turned the season on its head.
The goalscoring feats of both Newcastle's Papiss Cisse (13 goals in 14 appearances) and Everton's Nikica Jelavic (nine goals in 13 appearances) on their arrival in January 2011/12 went down in FPL folklore.
Expectations were high going into Monday's deadline, then, although at first glance, the pickings appear to be slim.
Chelsea's capture of Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado represented the biggest business on the day, as the Barclays Premier League leaders bolstered a star-studded midfield. The Colombian joins the Stamford Bridge club as both Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah leave on the same day.
Cuadrado arrives in the FPL as an £8.5m midfield option, handing Jose Mourinho and FPL managers a proven creator and scorer of goals. The 26-year-old has registered four strikes and four assists in 17 appearances for Fiorentina prior to his departure, with 11 Serie A goals to his name last term. The Colombian also notched four assists in a flourishing FIFA World Cup campaign - a figure matched only by Germany's Toni Kroos.
Arguably offering a more productive alternative to Willian on Chelsea's right-flank, Cuadrado will nonetheless face a struggle to cement a starting role. With Ramires also returning to fitness, Jose Mourinho now has a blend of options that could see the likes of Oscar and even Cesc Fabregas handed rests over the hectic season run-in. Perhaps only Eden Hazard looks "untouchable" in light of Cuadrado's arrival.
Elsewhere, Aaron Lennon's loan move to Goodison may allow the 27-year-old winger more opportunities for pitch-time, tempting FPL managers to consider his £6.2m price tag. Leicester's signing of Robert Huth lends an increased set-piece threat to the Foxes’ defence, although from an FPL perspective, Marcin Wasilewski's appeal as a budget £4.0m option now looks under threat.
Steve Bruce will be hoping for immediate dividends from the deal that brought Senegal striker Dame N'Doye (£5.5m) to the KC Stadium, while Darren Fletcher's (£4.5m) experience will reinforce Tony Pulis' midfield options at West Bromwich Albion. Neither are likely to earn attention from FPL managers, however, despite modest price tags.
Ronald Koeman added to his attacking midfield options with the capture of Serbian playmaker Filip Djuricic. Priced at £6.0m, he is set to compete with the likes of Dusan Tadic, Eljero Elia and Sadio Mane, though, and faces a tough task to establish himself as a St Mary's regular. At least their capture of Ryan Bertrand provides some good news for his 28% ownership. The left-back will now be eligible for the Gameweek 29 clash with his former club, going some way to compensate for the three-match ban received following Sunday's red card against Swansea.
A small victory from a day of business that appears to deliver FPL managers little more than the potential of further selection headaches.
source: http://www.premierleague.com/
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