The most intriguing time of the year is just about here.

While the months leading up to the close of the transfer window from the end of the season to August 31 are fun to watch, the period of January 1-31 seems to carry more interest as clubs look to bolster their squads for a second half surge or avoid relegation.

Sir John offers a list of players mentioned as transfer targets. The reasons vary, but they seem to center on: (1) Better opportunity, (2) Underperforming, (3) Personality clash, (4) Change of scenery.

1. Gary Cahill, Bolton defender
Transfer reason: Better opportunity
Other than Luka Modric being sought last summer, Cahill is probably the most talked about transfer target with a link to Chelsea. While one player is not responsible for Bolton being a truly awful team, are we to believe that Cahill will lift the Blues defensive line to a new level? The 7 million pound transfer fee mentioned is low (for Chelsea’s budget), but team supporter’s expectations should not be high when it comes to the 26-year-old Cahill. However, for fantasy managers, the chances for goals and clean sheets are better with Cahill at Stamford Bridge than at the Reebok.

2. Jack Rodwell, Everton midfielder
Transfer reason: Better opportunity
Another possible addition to the Chelsea roster, Rodwell at 20 brings an urgently needed infusion of youth to Stamford Bridge. The prospects and playing time for Frank Lampard seem to be dimming, so the arrival of Rodwell carries much potential for the team and fantasy managers. Everton has been a small stage for Rodwell. In London he would have the chance to up his output by playing alongside the likes of Mata, Cole and Sturridge with Lukaku soon to follow. A 20 million pound transfer fee is a chunk to swallow; however, if Abramovich has still not needed a Heimlich maneuver after the Torres’ 50 million pound Red Plate Special, he can stomach the Rodwell fee.

3. Carlos Tevez, Manchester City striker
Transfer reason: Head case/Personality clash
Carlito may be the most despised person in English football. It is hard to imagine anyone replacing El Hajji Ousseynou Diouf as the biggest jerk in the game, but at least the well-traveled Diouf wants to play. City would like to recover most of their investment on the spoiled ingrate; however, the best course of action is to get what they can. I can’t imagine another Premier team taking a chance on this loose cannon. If so, he may return a cluster of fantasy points for a while, but is guaranteed to implode wherever his sorry self ends up.

4. Alex, Chelsea defender
Transfer reason: Personality clash
It is a shame that the once regular with Chelsea has fallen out of favor with AVB. While not among the elite defenders, the Brazilian certainly offers more than his fellow countryman David Luiz who does a great impersonation of a matador when an opponent approaches him with the ball. Sir John thinks the 24-year-old Alex still has much to offer and will do better in a new kit. If in the Premier League, he would be an excellent pickup for fantasy managers. Strong on set pieces and with a rocket leg, Alex can help stock a linen closet with clean sheets.

5. Andrey Arshavin, Arsenal midfielder
Transfer reason: Underperforming
One of the major flops in recent years, the Russian arrived with much promise and delivered early delightful performances and good fantasy points. Perhaps the league figured him out, maybe he porked out a bit or just got lazy; whatever the reason, Arshavin’s stay at the Emirates has got to end. Not likely to be picked up by another Premier team, the Gunners will take whatever rummage sale money they get for the rosy-cheeked failure and try to forget he ever came to London.

6. Darren Bent, Aston Villa, striker
Transfer reason: Better opportunity
The possibility of Bent moving to Queens Park Rangers is a fun scenario. While Bent has been on the big stage in London with Spurs in 07 and 08, he has played his act on the small stages of Sunderland and Aston Villa. His latest stop is a theatre troupe led by a manager that puts audiences to sleep. A move to London, places him in a position for a leading role in the big city and on a team that would give him star billing. Neal Warnock has imagination. Alex McLeish is locked into a draw mentality. The team should be renamed Aston Sleeping Pilla. Bent to QPR would be terrific news for fantasy managers.

7. Kenwynne Jones, Stoke, striker
Transfer reason: Change of scenery
While the elegant from Trinidad and Tobago is plagued with injury issues, when healthy he has largely been passed over in favor of Peter Crouch. Stoke has had a successful season with the awkward giraffe up front; however, football fans are denied great pleasure by not having Jones on the pitch. If he is picked up by another Premier team and gets regular playing time, he will be an excellent fantasy acquisition.

8. Cgeick Tiote, Newcastle, midfielder
Transfer reason: Better opportunity
The Magpies can ill-afford to lose Tiote, but the small market club could use the infusion of cash from interested clubs, including Manchester United. SAF would find the 26-year-old Tiote an upgrade over Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher, more durable than Ashley Young and an eventual replacement for Ryan Giggs.
Tiote is remaining classy by saying all the right things about being happy at Newcastle. However, Sir John would bet a beer by the club's name that Tiote would toast a pint of the same to be at Old Trafford.

9. Marouane Chamakh, Arsenal, striker
Reason: Underperforming/Change of scenery
The Morocco striker arrived and was a star when Van Persie was out injured. Once RvP returned, Chamakh joined striker’s anonymous. He will be lost for the ANC and it’s not known if another Premier club will take a chance on him. If so, he would be worth a fantasy transfer gamble.

10. Florent Malouda, Chelsea, midfielder
Reason: Underperforming/Change of scenery
Malouda has lost a step and several degrees in the fire he used to bring to the game. Can turning 31 take that much away from his game? He might do well in another venue; however, for Premier fantasy players there are not likely to be points in 2012. His transfer would probably be to a team in his native France and with his former manager Ancelotti linked to PSG, that could be where Malouda finds himself in the New Year.

Others:
Wayne Bridge, Manchester City defender
Transfer reason: Underperforming
The well-traveled defender who once patrolled Stamford Bridge has burned a few bridges under his feet. Mentioned as a transfer possibility to Arsenal, Sir John opines that the Gunners would gain nothing with the out-of-favor 31-year-old and that fantasy managers would see little playing time or points.

Josh McEachran, Chelsea, midfielder
Reason: Loan
Unfulfilled at Stamford Bridge, he might develop at Fulham, Swansea or other locales. His fantasy value is zero at Chelsea.

Roman Pavlyuchenko, Tottenham, striker
Reason: Better opportunity
The Russian needs a team that wants and needs him. If he stays in the EPL and goes to another team, he is a good fantasy transfer risk.

Bobby Zamora, Fulham, striker
Reason: Personality clash/Change of scenery
The quintessential on-the-field whiner can do nothing but improve his fantasy point production if he moves to another EPL club.

Romeu, Chelsea, defender
Mentioned as possibly returning to Barcelona, his departure would be good news to only one person: John Obi Mikel. Romeu has been a great addition to the Blues holding midfield and shows promise of developing an occasional shot on goal--and the likelihood of actually scoring (which Mikel, who is master of the five-yard pass has never managed). So far, Romeu is not a great fantasy point-producer.

Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United, striker
Reason: Change of scenery
The Bulgarian who has a hard time getting playing time is mentioned as a possible transfer target to return to his old team of Leverkusen. Man Yoo has the option of extending his contract one year. After Monday’s hat trick and the long list of injuries at Old Trafford, it’s hard to see him leaving. He has handled his lack of playing time with incredible class.

Let the transfers begin. Happy New Year.

Yours faithfully,
Sir John