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Top 10 Best Premiership Transfers Of The Season
Source: Goal.com
(Getty Imgae Removed)
As Rupert Murdoch's Sky-backed stranglehold on football coverage continues to tighten and television and sponsorship deals become ever more plethoric, money is being spent by the barrel-load in the Premier League.
Whether a country's own footballing talent should be paramount in determining how much money is eventually put forward toward the sport or whether other industries are unfairly influencing competition is a debate best left for another day.
The Premier League's got it, and it's flaunting it. The Big Four alone have spent more than most major leagues, and though some purchases have been wiser than others, the talent level in the Premier League is consistently on the rise.
So, to count down this season's top 10, in reverse order...
10. Martin Petrov (Atlético Madrid to Manchester City)
Some may question the Bulgarian's inclusion ahead of fellow Manchester City summer signing Elano. But while the Brasilian playmaker somewhat tailed off when the weather got cold and team form began to lag, Petrov has dutifully played at a high level by and large all season.
On the left wing, his blistering pace, powerful shot and dangerous crosses have made him one of the Sky Blues' most dangerous outlets going forward.
Signed for £4.7 million from Atletico Madrid, Petrov can be considered a bargain despite being 29 years of age, as the Bulgarian international is still at peak fitness.
09. Carlos Tevez (West Ham to Manchester United)
Yes, it's a loan - but with a quite obvious view toward being made permanent. The Carlos Tevez transfer saga is one all too well known by football fans across countries and even continents, so to cut a long story short, West Ham - not fully owning the player in the first place - were essentially forced to offload him and Sir Alex Ferguson came calling.
Indeed with all due respect, Tevez was too great a talent for a lower-mid table such as West Ham, though Eggert Magnusson and his potato sack full of Icelandic money may have begged to differ. The Argentina international enjoyed a magnificent start to his career at Boca Juniors before being prised away by Brasilian outfit Corinthians, who paid $20 million for his services - a remarkably high fee for a South American side.
He proved his worth, smashing an astonishing 46 goals in 78 appearances - not even as a lead striker - and following a slow start in England with West Ham, he came good in time to miraculously save them from relegation before joining the Red Devils.
Not only was the business aspect of his transfer controversial, but many felt that on the pitch, Carlitos was the wrong man for United. He bore too much of a resemblance to Wayne Rooney, while the Premier League winners needed a box presence, a target-man maybe - a number 9. While such an option may still be in high demand, few can doubt the impact the 24-year-old has had this season. His rapport with Wayne Rooney and indeed Cristiano Ronaldo - in what often fashions itself as a front three - is quite incredible, and he has scored many decisive goals against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Lyon, to name just three.
Just how much he will cost in the end remain to be seen, but one would suspect that Sir Alex won't be willing to let go of such a gem without one hell of a fight.
08. Mauro Zarate (Al Sadd to Birmingham City)
From one Argentine on loan to another. Signed only in January and having only netted three times for the club, it might seem a little ludicrous that the 21-year-old is ranked higher than Carlos Tevez. However, the incredible skill exhibited by the former Velez Sarsfield man added to the fact his performances already look like having saved his side from relegation prove him to be worthy of his place in the rankings, with the potential bargain involved also proving a decisive factor.
On loan from Qatar outfit Al Sadd, the deal is as good as permanent should Birmingham retain their Premier League status - which, thanks in no small part to Zarate, looks likely. Should the deal ultimately go through it will prove to be a massive coup for Alex McLeish at St Andrews, but he may have his work cut out to hang onto the young star for much longer.
07. Bacary Sagna (Auxerre to Arsenal)
Who? Oh, another of Arsene Wenger's signings. While the Columbus-like status held by Wenger for his transfer activity may be somewhat embellished - Cesc Fabregas being of Barcelona, Patrick Vieira of Milan and Thierry Henry of Juventus and formerly Monaco when signed by the Frenchman - he no doubt has a penchant for developing seemingly limited players as part of his consummate free-flowing north London outfit.
The latest in a long, long list of Franco-African signings by Wenger, Sagna is no spring chicken compared to them - he's just turned 25 - and indeed the fee is reported to be over £6 million, which is about as much as Manchester United paid for their number 3, Patrice Evra.
Not quite as dynamic as his compatriot, Sagna makes up for it with great physical presence and a quite frankly hilarious haircut. The utility man has slotted seamlessly into Wenger's system and has proved to be a very reliable addition to the Gunners' starting eleven that is more than likely to prove value for money over several years to come.
06. Sulley Muntari (Udinese Calcio to Portsmouth)
The Ghanaian international was not exactly an unknown when signed to join happy Harry Redknapp's gang of Africans on the south coast of England. He had played a pivotal role in the Black Stars' successful World Cup run a year ago in Germany, and playing for Udinese - a side with whom he enjoyed a season of Champions League football - meant he had a comparitively high profile prior to the move.
A modest Portsmouth side were able to afford a club record fee of over £7 million to land the industrious midfielder due to a takeover from Franco-Russian-Israeli businessman Alexandre Gaydamak, but Redknapp must nevertheless be credited for spending wisely, as Muntari has proven to be a driving force for the club in midfield as they are now strong favourites to lift the FA Cup at the end of this season.
05. Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Middlesbrough to Everton)
A Nigerian international, the Yak had been a household name in England for almost four years by the time David Moyes shelled out a club record fee of £11.25 million to land the imposing striker.
While we at Goal.com are fully in support of shrewd business rather than lauding every extortionate transfer fee banded about, it must be said that the Toffees got value for money with the 25-year-old. First loaned then signed by Portsmouth in 2003, he enjoyed a prolific spell with seaside outfit before being picked up by the ever-ambitious Steve Gibson-led Middlesbrough, before Moyes ended up getting his hands on the perfect man to lead his side's attack.
He was already well-established and he cost his fair share, but as he is set to reach and surpass 20 goals this season for the first time on English soil, his pace, power and prolific record in front of goal makes him well worthy of his place on this list, and he may well drive Everton toward yet unearthed levels of success in the coming years.
04. Javier Mascherano (West Ham United to Liverpool)
Close friend, compatriot and former team-mate of Carlos Tevez, el Jefecito has proven absolutely indispensable to Liverpool, rivals of course to Tevez's Manchester United.
The transfer saga was similarly drawn-out and shrowded in controversy, but the 23-year-old's deal - unlike that of Tevez - has already been made permanent, with the fee reported to be in excess of £18 million. Though he was loaned last season, the deal being made permanent, in Goal.com's twisted world of logic, has made him eligible for this season's list.
Though the fee may seem somewhat excessive at first, Mascherano has several years ahead of him and is already touted as one of the leading defensive midfielders in the world. His ability to man-mark and neutralise even the best of opposition has proved priceless to a Liverpool side who, as a team, have by and large struggled this season.
Just how they might have coped without his services if a thought best left unexplored by the Anfield faithful, but if they are to become as dominant a force domestically and in Europe as they would like, there is no doubt Mascherano will be at the centre of their success, even if the headlines would have you believe otherwise.
Source: Goal.com
(Getty Imgae Removed)
As Rupert Murdoch's Sky-backed stranglehold on football coverage continues to tighten and television and sponsorship deals become ever more plethoric, money is being spent by the barrel-load in the Premier League.
Whether a country's own footballing talent should be paramount in determining how much money is eventually put forward toward the sport or whether other industries are unfairly influencing competition is a debate best left for another day.
The Premier League's got it, and it's flaunting it. The Big Four alone have spent more than most major leagues, and though some purchases have been wiser than others, the talent level in the Premier League is consistently on the rise.
So, to count down this season's top 10, in reverse order...
10. Martin Petrov (Atlético Madrid to Manchester City)
Some may question the Bulgarian's inclusion ahead of fellow Manchester City summer signing Elano. But while the Brasilian playmaker somewhat tailed off when the weather got cold and team form began to lag, Petrov has dutifully played at a high level by and large all season.
On the left wing, his blistering pace, powerful shot and dangerous crosses have made him one of the Sky Blues' most dangerous outlets going forward.
Signed for £4.7 million from Atletico Madrid, Petrov can be considered a bargain despite being 29 years of age, as the Bulgarian international is still at peak fitness.
09. Carlos Tevez (West Ham to Manchester United)
Yes, it's a loan - but with a quite obvious view toward being made permanent. The Carlos Tevez transfer saga is one all too well known by football fans across countries and even continents, so to cut a long story short, West Ham - not fully owning the player in the first place - were essentially forced to offload him and Sir Alex Ferguson came calling.
Indeed with all due respect, Tevez was too great a talent for a lower-mid table such as West Ham, though Eggert Magnusson and his potato sack full of Icelandic money may have begged to differ. The Argentina international enjoyed a magnificent start to his career at Boca Juniors before being prised away by Brasilian outfit Corinthians, who paid $20 million for his services - a remarkably high fee for a South American side.
He proved his worth, smashing an astonishing 46 goals in 78 appearances - not even as a lead striker - and following a slow start in England with West Ham, he came good in time to miraculously save them from relegation before joining the Red Devils.
Not only was the business aspect of his transfer controversial, but many felt that on the pitch, Carlitos was the wrong man for United. He bore too much of a resemblance to Wayne Rooney, while the Premier League winners needed a box presence, a target-man maybe - a number 9. While such an option may still be in high demand, few can doubt the impact the 24-year-old has had this season. His rapport with Wayne Rooney and indeed Cristiano Ronaldo - in what often fashions itself as a front three - is quite incredible, and he has scored many decisive goals against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Lyon, to name just three.
Just how much he will cost in the end remain to be seen, but one would suspect that Sir Alex won't be willing to let go of such a gem without one hell of a fight.
08. Mauro Zarate (Al Sadd to Birmingham City)
From one Argentine on loan to another. Signed only in January and having only netted three times for the club, it might seem a little ludicrous that the 21-year-old is ranked higher than Carlos Tevez. However, the incredible skill exhibited by the former Velez Sarsfield man added to the fact his performances already look like having saved his side from relegation prove him to be worthy of his place in the rankings, with the potential bargain involved also proving a decisive factor.
On loan from Qatar outfit Al Sadd, the deal is as good as permanent should Birmingham retain their Premier League status - which, thanks in no small part to Zarate, looks likely. Should the deal ultimately go through it will prove to be a massive coup for Alex McLeish at St Andrews, but he may have his work cut out to hang onto the young star for much longer.
07. Bacary Sagna (Auxerre to Arsenal)
Who? Oh, another of Arsene Wenger's signings. While the Columbus-like status held by Wenger for his transfer activity may be somewhat embellished - Cesc Fabregas being of Barcelona, Patrick Vieira of Milan and Thierry Henry of Juventus and formerly Monaco when signed by the Frenchman - he no doubt has a penchant for developing seemingly limited players as part of his consummate free-flowing north London outfit.
The latest in a long, long list of Franco-African signings by Wenger, Sagna is no spring chicken compared to them - he's just turned 25 - and indeed the fee is reported to be over £6 million, which is about as much as Manchester United paid for their number 3, Patrice Evra.
Not quite as dynamic as his compatriot, Sagna makes up for it with great physical presence and a quite frankly hilarious haircut. The utility man has slotted seamlessly into Wenger's system and has proved to be a very reliable addition to the Gunners' starting eleven that is more than likely to prove value for money over several years to come.
06. Sulley Muntari (Udinese Calcio to Portsmouth)
The Ghanaian international was not exactly an unknown when signed to join happy Harry Redknapp's gang of Africans on the south coast of England. He had played a pivotal role in the Black Stars' successful World Cup run a year ago in Germany, and playing for Udinese - a side with whom he enjoyed a season of Champions League football - meant he had a comparitively high profile prior to the move.
A modest Portsmouth side were able to afford a club record fee of over £7 million to land the industrious midfielder due to a takeover from Franco-Russian-Israeli businessman Alexandre Gaydamak, but Redknapp must nevertheless be credited for spending wisely, as Muntari has proven to be a driving force for the club in midfield as they are now strong favourites to lift the FA Cup at the end of this season.
05. Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Middlesbrough to Everton)
A Nigerian international, the Yak had been a household name in England for almost four years by the time David Moyes shelled out a club record fee of £11.25 million to land the imposing striker.
While we at Goal.com are fully in support of shrewd business rather than lauding every extortionate transfer fee banded about, it must be said that the Toffees got value for money with the 25-year-old. First loaned then signed by Portsmouth in 2003, he enjoyed a prolific spell with seaside outfit before being picked up by the ever-ambitious Steve Gibson-led Middlesbrough, before Moyes ended up getting his hands on the perfect man to lead his side's attack.
He was already well-established and he cost his fair share, but as he is set to reach and surpass 20 goals this season for the first time on English soil, his pace, power and prolific record in front of goal makes him well worthy of his place on this list, and he may well drive Everton toward yet unearthed levels of success in the coming years.
04. Javier Mascherano (West Ham United to Liverpool)
Close friend, compatriot and former team-mate of Carlos Tevez, el Jefecito has proven absolutely indispensable to Liverpool, rivals of course to Tevez's Manchester United.
The transfer saga was similarly drawn-out and shrowded in controversy, but the 23-year-old's deal - unlike that of Tevez - has already been made permanent, with the fee reported to be in excess of £18 million. Though he was loaned last season, the deal being made permanent, in Goal.com's twisted world of logic, has made him eligible for this season's list.
Though the fee may seem somewhat excessive at first, Mascherano has several years ahead of him and is already touted as one of the leading defensive midfielders in the world. His ability to man-mark and neutralise even the best of opposition has proved priceless to a Liverpool side who, as a team, have by and large struggled this season.
Just how they might have coped without his services if a thought best left unexplored by the Anfield faithful, but if they are to become as dominant a force domestically and in Europe as they would like, there is no doubt Mascherano will be at the centre of their success, even if the headlines would have you believe otherwise.
