January Transfer Window... is it worth the hassle?

We are only just halfway through this seasons January transfer window and yet again, questions will be asked to whether it is actually worth the hassle.

The David Beckham saga is a classic example of how much of a hassle the transfer window is for English clubs. Beckham was, as we all thought, supposed to be on loan at Tottenham which meant he would be able to play for the White Hart Lane club. But time and time again over the last few weeks, it is unclear to what the agreement is. He is currently training with Spurs, primarily to get fit for the new MLS season with LA Galaxy, however, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp wanted to have Beckham as a player and with time running out this month, it is beginning to look more and more unlikely.

You have to feel for managers during this period in the season, as such situations like Spurs and Beckham, must have a detrimental affect on the manager and also the players who are not aware of what is going on. Redknapp has changed his mind a few times on what the agreement is on Beckham, so if he doesn't know, I'm not sure who does? Although Beckham's presence on the Tottenham training ground can only have positive effects on the Spurs players, you have to feel for the fans who again, are left pondering the point of Beckham being there if he isn't going to play. I'm sure many young Spurs fans would like to get Beckham's name on the back of their shirt, but there isn't much point if he isn't going to play for them. That would mean Spurs would also miss out on a lot of income from shirt sales, which may have been another reason to bring the former England captain in. Talking of names on shirts, Beckham has been training with the number 77 on his training kit, which has made the news, it's not often that a players squad number makes the news, unless it's a new Newcastle number 9 or a new Liverpool number 7 for example.

We will just have to sit and wait to see what happens with Beckham, although I think everyone is just assuming now he won't play for Spurs. It's a shame, not only for Spurs but also for the Premier League, who have definitely missed is presence the last 8 years or so since he left Man Untied for Real Madrid in 2003.

As well as Beckham, the slightly less high profile transfer, also involving Tottenham funnily enough, is that of Robbie Keane to Birmingham City. It all seemed set to happen after both clubs agreed a fee for the Irishman, who has been short of first team opportunities of late due to the form of Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, now all ahead of him in the pecking order. Birmingham have recently pulled out of the deal, due to Birmingham not believing Keane to be the best financial option, whether that be due to the transfer fee, or more likely, Keane's wage demands.

It makes you wonder why mangers even bother trying to buy players in January, as it seems more stressful than it should be. Clubs will generally over pricing their players due to the lack of time clubs have to purchase players and clubs lack of willingness to sell half way during the season.