AC Milan have taken full advantage of the transfer window. They have bought two players who can certainly get the side up the table.

Having signed Ibrahimovic and Robinho and with Ronaldinho and Alexander Pato in the squad, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

It's a good move by Milan and can help them regain prestige and maybe help them them claim the Italian title which they haven't won for several years.

The two players have a good four or more years in the top flight. They are proven match-winners and the club already have quality in the squad.

Ronaldinho can still excite and Alexandre Pato is a lively character up front.

As for Mascherano's move from Liverpool to Barcelona, that's beneficial for all parties.

When you have a player who doesn't want to stay at the club, there's no point in keeping him in the team.

There was always uncertainty whether he would stay once former manager Rafa Benitez left.

But you can't blame players wanting to join their 'dream' club and maybe that's what happened with Mascherano.

Players from certain countries have a different mentality as to how the game should be played and have their own perceptions.

And at times they say things that they don't mean to say.

Rafael Van de Vart is a special player and his move to Tottenham will be a huge boost for the North London club. Spurs have done a good job in getting him at the eleventh hour.

When you look at what Spurs already have tactically and technically, he will fit in nicely. He's played at the highest level for many years.

At the economy, it's no surprise that clubs have cut their budget as regards signing new players. They can't afford to be wasteful. Compared to previous years, the amount of money spent by clubs this time is fairly low, and that's good for the game.

The recently enforced rule in England that clubs can only have five overseas players in their squad will no doubt improve the national team, and the country must always come first.

Hopefully more countries will follow England in this respect.

England will now look forward to see how the system works as it will give the younger players more exposure.

Teams like Chelsea, however, will have to develop their own players.

On another subject, it's interesting that Alan Curbishley is on the shortlist for the coaching job at Aston Villa. And I believe he could do a good job.

I have known Alan for many years, we lived on the same street.

He knows the game and has the ability to get Villa where they want to be.

Benitez, on the other hand, is up against it at Inter Milan after not winning his first two games.

Following Jose Mourinho was always going to be tough, and one thing about Italian clubs, they don't mess around with managers who can't bring success.

If he doesn't win, he won't be there too long.