Arguably the Top TEN Premier League summer transfers
With megabucks Manchester City lavishing millions on new players over summer it was left to the rest of the clubs in the Premier League to bring some much-needed stability and sanity to the transfer market. Below Football FanCast runs through the top ten deals of the transfer window, taking into account a player’s price, ability and potential in these recessionary times.
10. David Silva, Man City
Despite the hefty price tag at £24m, the highly-talented David Silva can transform Manchester City from Europa League competitors to Premier League contenders this season. The support striker has the creativity and flair to unlock those mean, stubborn defences and the Spaniard has his best years ahead of him at the age of 24.
After four successful years in the Valencia first-team, clocking up over 100 appearances, Silva finally made his move to England this summer after previously being courted by the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. Silva also has 39 caps for Spain and looks set to make a big impact this season.
9. Hatem Ben Arfa, Newcastle (loan)
As a product of France’s highly regarded Clairefontaine academy, which has produced the likes of Louis Saha, William Gallas and Thierry Henry; Hatem Ben Arfa is considered to be one of the hottest talents in French football today.
Newcastle secured the 23-year-old winger on a season-long loan from Marseille after Ben Arfa went on strike in a desperate bid to leave the Stade Velodrome following a series of fall-outs. Ben Arfa is a mercurial talent and if manager Chris Houghton can help him overcome his disciplinary problems then The Magpies could reap the benefits this season.
8. Marouane Chamakh, Arsenal
Landing fast and powerful Moroccan forward Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux was an astute piece of business by Frenchman Arsene Wenger this summer.
The 26-year-old scored 56 goals in 230 appearances for FCGB, helping the club win their first league title in ten years in 2009. Wenger said at the time:
“I know he will provide our squad with great quality.”
7. Stephen Ireland, Aston Villa
Aston Villa received £16m, as well as Man City’s 2008/09 Player of the Year Stephen Ireland, in exchange for England international James Milner and The Villa certainly got a good deal. Ireland has a point to prove after being frozen out by Roberto Mancini at Eastlands and will be raring to go this season.
The passionate midfielder will add extra bite to the Villa midfield and at 23 will look to improve his all-round game at the Midlands club.
6. Asamoah Gyan, Sunderland
Sunderland sprang one of the biggest surprises on deadline day by breaking their transfer record to capture the signature of World Cup star Asamoah Gyan. The 24-year-old lit up the tournament with some eye-catching displays for Ghana’s Black Stars on their spectacular run to the quarter-finals.
Gyan’s World Cup performances has clearly pushed up the player’s transfer fee and at £13m represents a slight risk for Black Cats boss Steve Bruce. However if Gyan can recapture the form he showed over the summer than Sunderland fans are in for a real treat.
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Agree with the majority of this list.
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Sing it now: ### He’s a Yid, he’s Dutch, he didn’t cost us much…Van Der Vaart, Van Der Vaa-aaa-aart ###
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This list is really really bad.. silva 10 and hernandez second? wow…
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Really poor list
Joe Cole shouldn’t be there
Van der Vaart wasnt needed as Spurs already have 7 Midfielders
Hernandez is really good but well too high, he wont play that much, nor will David Silva
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HBA could be way higher and reckon Gyan won’t be worth anywhere near £13m.
Not many great signings tbh, interested to see how VDV does…
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So spuds getting a washed up player that madrid couldnt wait to be rid of is the biggest signing in the premier league? Chicharito, Chamakh, even Hleb will have much greater impacts. Theres a reason he came as cheaply as he did.
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first thing is that joe cole shouldnt b 3rd maybe 6th but i hope van der vaart proves people wrong and does brill in the premier league and help tottenham to another top 4 finish coysssssssssss
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lol rockofgilberto what has Chamakk done to show he is a great signing? At Least VDV is an established world class player.
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Players like Ben Arfa and Hleb are much bigger signings than the likes of Hernandez due to the position of their respective clubs… Hernandez is nothing but yet another talent in Man Utd, and if a top club like utd should even have a player on this list considered it would take someone like Kaka of Ribery.
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Just want to add, has anyone seen Van Der Vaarts recent performances before commenting? Absolutely dreaful.
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