In the first two quick and eventful months of 2018, the FIFA mid-season player transfer was the most expensive and dramatic transfer ever recorded.

Twice a year, the world of professional soccer undergoes the buying and selling of players between premier soccer clubs. This month long event is called the Mid Season Player Transfer Policy, and is meant to benefit team management and benched players.

According to journalist Thomas Bullard from Republic World, the policy is a strategic way to improve teams.

“This policy can be a great boost for those bunch of talented cricketers who warm the bench due to an already settled team combination,” said Bullard. “It will also help teams battling with sudden injury blows, as they will be free to acquire the services of a cricketer who they seem as the best replacement option.”

The mid-season player transfer allows for benchwarmers, otherwise known as “uncapped players”, to prove their talent and be recognized for their skill. In January of 2018, the most expensive transfer window ever occurred. Widely known teams like Arsenal FC, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City experienced drastic changes in their rosters.

John Pattinson from Mirror Football UK claims that the 2018 transfer broke many clubs’ records, especially with two well-known players.

“It all started when Liverpool splashed the cash to bring £75 million defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton,” said Pattinson. “And then they sold Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho for what is a transfer record involving a British club, to the tune of £142m.”

Money is a powerful resource as team management recruits players from different teams. Wealthy teams like Liverpool and Chelsea have improved significantly. These strong skilled soccer players are seen as worth the price, and are used for the benefit of the team and themselves.

BBHS senior Derek Loen weighs in on the slightly controversial policy.

“It is a little annoying that the teams with the most money have the privilege of buying all the best players,” said Loen. “Soccer especially has this problem because of the way players just follow money instead of sticking with one team.”

Aside from the negative monetary aspect, the midseason player transfer is seen as a beneficial and useful policy.

The next player transfer window will occur at the start of summer, which is the end of the season.