winter transfer window on Friday, with clubs

LONDON -- Usually Friday night is one the quietest times in the frenzied world of the English Premier League. Players can be found on gaming consoles in hotel rooms on the eve of games, or resting at home in anticipation of a Sunday game. But the pre-game calm will be shattered by the closing of the winter transfer window on Friday, with clubs racing to sign reinforcements or offload rejects for the final time this season. Here are five things to know about the transfer deadline-day and the weekends Premier League matches: CLASH OF THE CHALLENGERSManchester City and Chelsea will be relieved their fixture has been shunted back to Monday, minimizing any disruption for their top-of-the-table meeting. "Its the ultimate test," Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said. "Its going to be a really, really tough game." The City squad hardly needs much tinkering. Manuel Pellegrinis side took its goal tally this season to 115 in all competitions with a 5-1 thumping of Tottenham that took them back to the Premier League summit. At the same time, though, Chelsea was being frustrated by West Ham — drawing 0-0 — and travels to the Etihad three points behind City. The game pits the stingiest defence — Chelsea has conceded 20 in 23 — against the leagues most prolific attack — City has scored 68 in 23. "As a collective unit, as a whole team, were working really hard defensively, not just at the back," Cahill said. Chelsea got the better of City in their last clash, winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in October. ARSENAL BLIPBeing knocked off the top has taken the wind out of Arsenals title charge. And after being held at Southampton, the Gunners host a resurgent Crystal Palace on Sunday. "The kind of performance we delivered at Southampton will not move us forward, so lets focus to come back on Sunday and produce a good performance," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. By then will there be any new faces in an Arsenal side looking to produce a first trophy since 2005? Its unclear. "Are we active? Yes. Are we close to sign anybody? No," Wenger said on Thursday. "There is not long now, that is true." Top of the target list is Julian Draxler, but Schalke doesnt seem to be a willing seller. Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt said he was "very convinced" the 20-year-old attacking midfielder will remain at the German club for the rest of the season. Arsenal will be without midfielders Jack Wilshere, who has an ankle problem, and Aaron Ramsey, who faces several weeks out with a thigh injury. LEAKY TOTTENHAMTottenham was brought down to earth with a bang by City on Wednesday as Tim Sherwoods unbeaten start as manager in the league ended. The north London club, which has conceded 11 goals to City this season, has what seems to be an easy trip to Hull on Saturday. "We have to be positive because we are still fifth, three points behind Liverpool," goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said. "So it is open. We just need to be focused." NORTH-EAST DERBYNewcastle is preparing for the derby against Sunderland on Saturday still trying to replace Yohan Cabaye, having received more than $27 million for the midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain this week. Manager Alan Pardew is waiting for a bid for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier to be accepted. "He has tremendous creative technical ability," Pardew said. Sunderland, which is out of the relegation zone for the first time since August, signed Argentina striker Ignacio Scocco on Thursday from Internacional. MOYES EYES MOMENTUMManchester United is chasing its first back-to-back league wins in a month when the champions face Stoke on Saturday still in seventh place. David Moyes push for the top four is being helped by how easily record-signing Juan Mata slotted into the team for a 2-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday after joining from Chelsea. "Juan looked like he had been here for years," winger Ashley Young said. "He had only been training for two days and it was his first game but he has gelled straight away." Authentic Yeezy Boost For Sale . The game had many controversial incidents that, upon closer inspection, were not as controversial as many believed. The Formations Toronto FC lined up in its usual 4-4-2 formation, with Nick Hagglund slotting in at right fullback and Bradley Orr at centreback in place of the injured Mark Bloom and Steven Caldwell, respectively. Yeezy Shoes Wholesale . Top-ranked Rafael Nadal was also taken to three sets but emerged with a 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 win over Tobias Kamke of Germany, while second-seeded David Ferrer joined Murray in making an early exit after a 6-4, 7-5 loss to Daniel Brands of Germany. http://www.yeezyshoesaustralia.com/ .9 million deal Thursday. The 25-year McGinn had 19 goals and 19 assists in 79 games last season in helping the Avalanche tie a franchise record with 52 wins. Yeezy Boost Cheap For Sale . In the late match, Shinji Okazaki scored two goals to pace Mainz to a 3-2 victory at Werder Bremen. Goals from Milan Badelj, Maximilian Beister and Hakan Calhanoglu ended Hamburgs two-match losing run and kept Hannover winless in seven games. Yeezy Boost Australia . -- The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a minor league contract with reliever Brandon Lyon that includes an invitation to their big league camp for spring training.We are hearing the possibility that Martin St. Louis and Ryan Kesler have demanded to be traded. In the case of St. Louis, not much of an effort has been made to deny reports of a trade request. Now both players have no-trade clauses in their contracts - and the wisdom of granting a player a no-trade has long been debated. Ultimately, its a very risky move since the only certainty with athletes is uncertainty. They can go down at any time, see a significant drop in their production or relationships can sour. As well, player production aside, a team may see an opportunity to improve its team by way of trade, but cant close on the deal because a player has a no-trade. Some players, however, insist on the provision being included in their contracts on the basis that they dont want to leave. The player and his family are committed to the team and the city. In certain circumstances, teams will agree to it. With a no-trade clause, the team bears the risk. Its one-sided and may potentially cause long-term damage to a team. This is particularly the case in a salary cap world, where return on investment is critical and a failure to achieve may be fatal to a teams likelihood of success. The risk is amplified when a player with a no-trade demands a trade. As a result of having a no-trade, the player decides where he goes. Since his contract provides he cant be traded (despite ironically demanding a trade), the player is in complete control. As a result, the team foorfeits significant leverage in seeking a fair return on the player.dddddddddddd By way of example, if its known that St. Louis will only go to the Rangers, then there is no good reason for the Rangers to offer up an equal return. General managers rely on multiple teams bidding on a player to drive up the return. However, if a player says that of the four teams interested, he wont go to three, the teams hands are tied and its potential return is instantly undermined. Can that risk be mitigated? Yes. Give the player the no-trade clause he so deeply desires. However, include a trigger in the contract that provides that in the event the player demands a trade, he agrees to be traded to any team on a previously negotiated list of teams. That could, for example, be a list of 10 teams. That list was negotiated while the deal was being worked out - and is part of the contract. Lets be clear: the no-trade wouldnt be null and void. Rather, the no-trade would now qualified by the mutually-accepted list of teams. The sides negotiated the deal and the terms of the contract govern the relationship. If a provision is no longer convenient for either side, thats life. NHL player contracts dont account for irony. By structuring the contract this way, the player gets the assurance he wont be moved, while the team is able to better manage its risk. Otherwise absolute no-trade clauses tie the hands of teams and make it a real challenge to get a proper return on a player. ' ' '