Transfer Window Losers: Who Missed Out?
The January 2026 transfer window has slammed shut, ending a notoriously difficult period for clubs trying to fix flaws, add depth or salvage faltering seasons.
Some teams executed smart, decisive business — strengthening key areas or planning effectively for the future. Others struggled to land targets, lost important players or failed to address obvious problems. Here’s a breakdown of who came out on top, and who will be left with regrets.
Losers
Liverpool
Liverpool finally secured a marquee defender in Jérémy Jacquet, but timing made all the difference.
The £55 million deal won’t help until July, leaving an already stretched defence short for the remainder of the season. With Giovanni Leoni ruled out and multiple failed pursuits for right-back cover, January exposed rather than solved problems.
Plenty of effort, but little reward when it mattered most.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s inactivity became a story in itself.
They missed out on Jacquet, failed to offload high earners cleanly, and appeared directionless in squad management. The emotional recall and re-loaning of Aaron Anselmino summed up a window lacking clarity.
Minimal improvement, disrupted players and no clear plan — a disappointing month.
Crystal Palace
Palace endured one of the most damaging windows in the league.
Losing captain Marc Guéhi for just £20 million hurt badly, and the announcement of Oliver Glasner’s impending departure only deepened uncertainty. Failed exits, no defensive reinforcements and expensive attacking additions raised serious questions about balance and value.
The club exits January weaker and more unstable than it entered.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham needed impact signings — and didn’t quite get them.
While Conor Gallagher strengthens midfield depth and young additions add long-term promise, none truly solved Spurs’ immediate creative or injury issues. A lack of winger recruitment was particularly glaring.
The window wasn’t disastrous, but it failed to match the scale of the problems.
