10 Best Signings of the Season

Xavi6

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=653262

English Debate: Top 10 Transfers Of The Season
Sulmaan Ahmad runs through the top 10 signings made by 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 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 (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 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.

03) Anderson (Porto to Manchester United)

Arguably the most intriguing signing of the top 10, Anderson commanded a huge fee - reportedly in excess of £18 million - despite being incredibly young, relatively unknown and largely unproven. Having risen through the ranks in his native Brasil playing for Gremio, the wonder-kid was often touted the next Ronaldinho and, having just started his professional career at the club, was immediately plucked from such obscurity by Portuguese giants Porto.

He had only made five first team appearances with Gremio, but settled in well at Porto, helping the team on its way to the Liga title. The following season saw him begin to attract attention from other clubs such as Real Madrid and Chelsea, this despite him missing five months of the campaign with a broken leg.

So impressive and promising was the youngster that, almost certainly under the advisement of Carlos Queiroz, Sir Alex Ferguson snapped him up from Porto at the end of last season for such a reportedly high fee, despite the inherent risk in picking up a player who was recovering from a major injury, not to mention his apparent lack of experience - all so no one else could get their hands on him first.

After a couple of shaky games early on in the season, the Brasilian settled brilliantly in his new surroundings; most impressive was his ability to play a more withdrawn, workmanlike role in midfield as opposed to the expansive, free-roaming game he had been accustomed to. He looks an ominously complete player at just 19 years of age and stepped in for the indispensable Paul Scholes who missed much of the early season due to injury. Just what the Brasilian will be capable of in years to come in any number of positions remains to be seen.

02) Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich to Blackburn Rovers)

The Paraguayan prospect was plucked from obscurity by German giants Bayern Munich at just 18 years of age following the Bavarian club's Champions League final heartbreak against Manchester United. He rose through the ranks at the Allianz Arena and picked up much silverware along the way, including a Champions League medal in 2001, but he found himself peripheral for much of his time in Germany.

This was partly due to injuries and also in no small part due to the high-profile stars who remained ahead of him in the pecking order. He nevertheless proved a goal-scoring asset for his side and a definite talent, despite making many of his appearances as a substitute.

Blackburn Rovers picked him up this summer for a paltry sum of £3.5 million - this for a player that had not yet turned 26 at the time - and it has proven to be the bargain of the season. While Mark Hughes' side don't look like making it into Europe next season, Santa Cruz has, on countless occasions, sealed invaluable points for the club with his goals in a season that, without him, could have been a lot worse.

Having been around at the top level with Munich for so long, many forget how young he is and how many years he has ahead of him, and Blackburn will no doubt seek to have the best of them all to themselves as they continue to grow under the guidance of Mark Hughes.

01) Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid to Liverpool)

Not even Manchester United or Everton fans could logically argue this decision, and that's as good a reason as any that Fernando Torres tops the pile of this season's top transfers. When considering immediate impact, prospective contribution and overall quality, el Nino has finally delivered to the Reds what they have been lacking for all too long.

He is the most expensive signing on the list - and indeed the most expensive of the summer - at over £20 million. Few could now argue his worth, as in his debut season he has smashed innumerous records, netting 29 goals in all competitions so far in a league where foreigners have found it notoriously hard to settle.

He has been good enough for the world's most stubborn manager Rafa Benitez to by and large abandon his rotation policy and afford him the same untouchable status as club icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. Rafa has even changed his formation to Torres' benefit. Mascherano and Torres have proven to be two tremendous signings and ensure Liverpool now have a world class spine in place, and may finally be able to compete at the highest level over the course of a season.

It is true that Torres has not yet scored in many big games, but the sheer number of goals - and the quality of them - has been exceptional and unforeseeable by even the most devout optimists. He was the prodigal son during a torrid time in Atletico Madrid's history that saw them relegated then promoted again, and could never consistently showcase his skills the way he has at Anfield.

There have been critics picking at minor parts of his game just as they have done and still do to Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is by and large irrelevant in determining the player's class, as he already has the makings of being the Premier League's next big thing.

Anything to add?

event

kenwyne jones would be in there, if sunderland stay up, he will have had a big part to play

kinaldo

Habib Beye - fast becoming a Toon legend.

IrishMike

event wrote: »

kenwyne jones would be in there, if sunderland stay up, he will have had a big part to play

+1

Nalz

Woodgate, Andy Reid, Hargreaves, Defoe in top 20 for sure!

Swap numbers between Tevez and Anderson but I agree.

CountingCrows

Craig Gordon?

lordgoat

Defoe, while not being a big fan of his he's been awesome for pompey

Nalz

CountingCrows wrote: »

Craig Gordon?

Wasn't he dropped for a few weeks?

Sherifu

event wrote: »

kenwyne jones would be in there, if sunderland stay up, he will have had a big part to play

He has been great for them alright.

shane86

Anderson is the most overrated player in the PL imo. His position and not one goal yet, and most attempts Ive seen have been woefully sloppy. Id have had him in the other list tbh.

Xavi6

shane86 wrote: »

Anderson is the most overrated player in the PL imo. His position and not one goal yet, and most attempts Ive seen have been woefully sloppy. Id have had him in the other list tbh.

Lol I beg you to post that in the United thread!

shane86

shane86 wrote: »

Anderson is the most overrated player in the PL imo. His position and not one goal yet, and most attempts Ive seen have been woefully sloppy. Id have had him in the other list tbh.

LOL :pac::pac::pac:

His position? Defensive midfielders, yea Makelele was always prolific wasnt he. U have to remember he's a number 10 who was adapting to playing as a sitting midfielder, hence he was reluctant to go too far forward, if u watch him a lot he tend to sit back a la Scholes last season. Once he gets the hang of the defensive part of the game then IMO he will blossom into being more of a box-to-box type player.


His finishing thus far has been rubbish, hence why I wanted him 9th and Tevez 3rd but his all round play, aggression, workrate dribbling, trickery, tackling, and especially his passing have been top notch.

CountingCrows

Trilla wrote: »

Wasn't he dropped for a few weeks?

Rested I thought, any Sunderland game I've seen this season he's always made a few world class saves.

estebancambias

Some of those inclusions are stupid!!!! Zarate has gone on a good run in the last 3/4 games but prior to that he didn't really do anything.

Why is Mascherano on the list?

dardoz

estebancambias wrote: »

Why is Mascherano on the list?

You have got to be kidding...

PHB

Sorry, this is actually a list of who is the best player from those signings, not who is the best signing.

How do you know this?
Santa Cruz - 3.5 million - 18 goals
Torres - 26.5 million - 28 goals

To me, it's very clear who the better signing is, like it's just stupidly obvious.

Then you have Sagna, the undisputed best right back in the league, bought for what, 5 million?

Limerick Dude

Habib Beye, quickly becoming one of the best right backs in the premiership!

redzerdrog

estebancambias wrote: »

Why is Mascherano on the list?

because he has been immense this season

Chardee MacDennis

PHB wrote: »

Sorry, this is actually a list of who is the best player from those signings, not who is the best signing.

How do you know this?
Santa Cruz - 3.5 million - 18 goals
Torres - 26.5 million - 28 goals

To me, it's very clear who the better signing is, like it's just stupidly obvious.

Then you have Sagna, the undisputed best right back in the league, bought for what, 5 million?

well i know who i would prefer to sign, so I would say Torres is the better signing. i mean how old is Santa Cruz? in terms of how long they are going to play for Torres is better again surely.

ibh

Call_me_al wrote: »

well i know who i would prefer to sign, so I would say Torres is the better signing. i mean how old is Santa Cruz? in terms of how long they are going to play for Torres is better again surely.

Why bother arguing. Nobody but PHB would come out with that rubbish.

kryogen

agree with the last post about Zarate, I think Kenwayne Jones should be on the list(and in the man u squad next season!) Craig Gordon should be there too, Torres is spot on imo, fantastic signing. You could probably find a few more who should be there i guess

Tusky

PHB wrote: »

Sorry, this is actually a list of who is the best player from those signings, not who is the best signing.

How do you know this?
Santa Cruz - 3.5 million - 18 goals
Torres - 26.5 million - 28 goals

To me, it's very clear who the better signing is, like it's just stupidly obvious.

Then you have Sagna, the undisputed best right back in the league, bought for what, 5 million?

I Think Torres is a better signing. He is on his way to becoming possibly the best striker in the world if you ask me. Santa Cruz was fantastic value for money but I still rate Torres as a better signing.

Also, its 30 goals.

kryogen

tbh lads PHB has a point, in terms of value for money Cruz is a better deal the Torres financially speaking... Torres i a better player though. no question in my mind about that.

Pepe LeFrits

ibh wrote: »

Why bother arguing. Nobody but PHB would come out with that rubbish.

Liverpool fan by any chance?

Santa Cruz is 26, and has scored 19 goals in his first season with relatively mediocre Blackburn.

Torres cost 6+ times as much.

This isn't about who is the better player, it is about who is the better signing.

estebancambias

dardoz wrote: »

You have got to be kidding...

Nope...he played with them since last January, and even though they officially signed him he was hardly a new signing in 2007/2008.

ibh

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Liverpool fan by any chance?

Santa Cruz is 26, and has scored 19 goals in his first season with relatively mediocre Blackburn.

Torres cost 6+ times as much.

This isn't about who is the better player, it is about who is the better signing.

Yea and i believe that Torres is and will be a far better signing than Santa Cruz. 23year old Spanish international, scores a sh!tload of goals and is a far better player than Santa Cruz.

I think if you look at the impact that Torres has had on the league it warrants his placing. He has scared the sh!t out of defences all season.

And I think Santa Cruz was a brillaint signing, but if price is that big an issue how does Anderson justify being in the list at all?? You have to consider that the bigger clubs will be spending more money (as a rule) on their players. Otherwise the best signing of the season will always come from someone who spent fcuk all on a player and got a decent return.

Pepe LeFrits

ibh wrote: »

Yea and i believe that Torres is and will be a far better signing than Santa Cruz. 23year old Spanish international, scores a sh!tload of goals and is a far better player than Santa Cruz.

I think if you look at the impact that Torres has had on the league it warrants his placing. He has scared the sh!t out of defences all season.

And I think Santa Cruz was a brillaint signing, but if price is that big an issue how does Anderson justify being in the list at all?? You have to consider that the bigger clubs will be spending more money (as a rule) on their players. Otherwise the best signing of the season will always come from someone who spent fcuk all on a player and got a decent return.

But I thought it was so ridiculous as to not even be worthy of arguing?

Personally, I think if Santa Cruz had been playing for Liverpool instead of Torres his numbers would be considerably more impressive than they already are. Whatever about some perceived fear factor that Torres may or may not construe in his opponents. He still wouldn't reach the same level as Torres, but then he wouldn't have needed a major bank loan to finance his signing.

Nalz

estebancambias wrote: »

Nope...he played with them since last January, and even though they officially signed him he was hardly a new signing in 2007/2008.

plus he's only been "immense" since Christmas. imo he was average at best up until then.

joe123

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Liverpool fan by any chance?

Santa Cruz is 26, and has scored 19 goals in his first season with relatively mediocre Blackburn.

Torres cost 6+ times as much.

This isn't about who is the better player, it is about who is the better signing.

You cant compare Santa cruz's goal tally to torres.

The simple fact is when teams go out to play liverpool (apart from the big three) they set there team out to defend a HELL of a lot more than they would if they were playing blackburn. Thus torres would be marked tighter and have less space than santa cruz would.

How many times do you see a player bag 15 goals for one club, he moves to a bigger club and it just doesnt happen. Alot of its down to teams tactics.

ibh

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

But I thought it was so ridiculous as to not even be worthy of arguing?

Personally, I think if Santa Cruz had been playing for Liverpool instead of Torres his numbers would be considerably more impressive than they already are. Whatever about some perceived fear factor that Torres may or may not construe in his opponents. He still wouldn't reach the same level as Torres, but then he wouldn't have needed a major bank loan to finance his signing.

Yea i think he would have scored more as well if he was at Liverpool but i still think he was overall the 2nd best signing of the year.

I will ask again, if value for money is such an important feature of this, then why are Anderson and Mascherano 3rd and 4th on the list???

Tbh i think the list was put together well and obviously wasn't just thrown together using stats. Stats are obviously important but on their own they would not have given a true reflection of the best signings made last year.

joe123

joe123 wrote: »

You cant compare Santa cruz's goal tally to torres.

The simple fact is when teams go out to play liverpool (apart from the big three) they set there team out to defend a HELL of a lot more than they would if they were playing blackburn. Thus torres would be marked tighter and have less space than santa cruz would.

How many times do you see a player bag 15 goals for one club, he moves to a bigger club and it just doesnt happen. Alot of its down to teams tactics.

The counter to that is that Torres gets better service and playing in a teamlike Liverpool means opposition defences have more players to watch out for.

PHB

Indeed, Anderson being that high on the list is stupid.

Look, which is a more impressive feat?

Buying a world class player that everybody knows is world class for 26.5 million, and then him turning out to be top class?
OR
Buying a relative unknown in these shores for 3.5 million, and then him turning out to be very very good?

Which was a better signing? Solskjar or Yorke?


Of course I'd prefer Torres in my team, don't be stupid, but this is about what the best signings were, which includes the price you paid.
Torres cost 6 times the amount of Santa Cruz, yet only scored 10 goals more. Cop on like!

Very good players for low prices:

Two outstanding buys of the season:
Santa Cruz - 3.5 million - 18 goals!
Sagna - 6 million - Best player in his position in the league for 6 million!

Tevez and Zarate should also be included, because they were loan signings, that said, Mascherano is included so?
Then Defoe and Diarra for Portsmouth, however they were January deals.

Very good players for high prices:

Torres - 26.5 million
Mascherano - 10-18 million
Anderson - 17.5 million
Nani - 16.5 million

Good players for average prices:

Jones - 6 million
Petrov - 5 milllion
Muntari - 7 million

I don't know why Yabuku is in there, 11.5 million for a good player? Just a standard transfer

PHB

Deleted User wrote: »

The counter to that is that Torres gets better service and playing in a teamlike Liverpool means opposition defences have more players to watch out for.

Also he scored quite a few goals against teams when Liverpool were just dominating. Something that doesn't happen to Blackburn.

Pepe LeFrits

ibh wrote: »

I will ask again, if value for money is such an important feature of this, then why are Anderson and Mascherano 3rd and 4th on the list???

It obviously isn’t otherwise Torres and Anderson wouldn’t be placed so high. Hence the discussion…

Mascherano shouldn’t be there as he is inelligible – if a loan like Zarate is included, then Mascherano should be counted as a 2006/07 signing. Anderson is placed much too high.

When considering his overall value, Liverpool could have signed 4 of the other players from the top 10 – Muntari, Sagna, Petrov and Santa Cruz – for what they paid for Torres.

PHB

PHB wrote: »

Also he scored quite a few goals against teams when Liverpool were just dominating. Something that doesn't happen to Blackburn.

Yea that reminded me, my friend pointed out that most, not all, but most of his goals this season were against teams in the bottom half of the league.

estebancambias

PHB wrote: »

Also he scored quite a few goals against teams when Liverpool were just dominating. Something that doesn't happen to Blackburn.

Exactly. He's a great player but only 2 goals away from Anfield.

Shaque attack

Buying a world class player that everybody knows is world class for 26.5 million, and then him turning out to be top class?

Torres was hardly thought of as world class when he first came to anfield though, was he? i seem to remember a good number of people being highly sceptical of him. his goal records were hardly amazing either.

Sajan

estebancambias wrote: »

Exactly. He's a great player but only 2 goals away from Anfield.

Scored against Marsielle and Inter both away from home.

joe123

PHB wrote: »

Also he scored quite a few goals against teams when Liverpool were just dominating. Something that doesn't happen to Blackburn.

thats a good point...but torres is an all round better player.Torres has scored in BIG games where we really needed him.

Liverpool paid the 26 million so we would have a striker able to score against the likes of inter milan and arsenal. It would be interesting to see what teams Santa cruz has scored against this season. I know torres has only 2 away from anfield but I think its fair to say hes a much more dangerous player than cruz...

Saying this though I wouldnt mind seeing liverpool pick him up in the summer.

LuckyLloyd

Agree that Santa Cruz is signing of the season. In fairness though, I think a lot of people aren't surprised by the impact he has made. That price was beyond ridiculous for him.

PHB

People are really missing the point.
Torres is a better player than Santa Cruz. However, he is not 6 times better than him! Yet he cost 6 times as much.
In the leagues, the only places that they both have played,
Santa Cruz: 15 goals 6 assists in 33 games
Torres: 22 goals 3 assists in 31 games.
That means Santa Cruz is a better signing! It doesn't mean he's a better player.

Santa Cruz has scored twice against Arsenal (H), once against Liverpool(A), once against Everton(A)

Tusky

kryogen wrote: »

tbh lads PHB has a point, in terms of value for money Cruz is a better deal the Torres financially speaking... Torres i a better player though. no question in my mind about that.

If it was titled 'bargain signing of the year' then I would agree, Santa Cruz would be number 1. Its not just about how much was paid for the player.

Raekwon

joe123 wrote: »

It would be interesting to see what teams Santa cruz has scored against this season.

Clicky

LuckyLloyd

To put a different angle on things, how much do people reckon Santa Cruz would have cost (with the same profile obv) if he was English and coming from a premiership team? He makes the Bent signing for 16m look very lol.

armour87

Eduardo

No seriously, its Sagna for me.

whatawaster

Can people stop falsely claiming Torres cost 26.5 million? Rafa himself said it was 20 and that's including Luis Garcia.

PHB

Rafa said that the total cost of the deal, i.e. the net spend, was 20 million.

Torres went to Liverpool for 26.5 million
Luis Garcia went to A. Madrid for 6.5 million

Tusky

PHB wrote: »

People are really missing the point.
Torres is a better player than Santa Cruz. However, he is not 6 times better than him! Yet he cost 6 times as much.
)

So by that rational you just divide how much they cost by how many goals they scored and whoever has the most favorable stats is a better signing ?

Torres - 26.5 m - 30 goals. So just over a goal per million

Yakubu - 11m - 19 goals. Almost 2 goals per million

Yakubu must be the better signing then. Its a retarded way at judging. As I said, its not the list of the top 10 bargains, its a list of the 10 ten signings. For this reason, the price should not be the most important factor.

I-Bleed-White

Although he was a Jan signing I don't think Defoe is getting enough credit for the outstanding displays he has turned out for Pompey.

Another Jan signing Woodgate should defo get a mention. Although Spurs have recently been leaking goals he has been superb for games where spurs have been in contention for something.As evreyone knows shoring up the spurs defence is no easy feat.

Anderson should be in the signing with the most potential list. Yakubu has been a beast for the Toffs. McFadden was also a really astute signing. Birmingham did well to get him.

Vote for the biggest waste of a signing has to be Sidwell at Chelski.

Bubs101

I think Defoe definitely warrants a place on that list. He has been quality since he moved. Also think Alex deserves a mention. Whenever we have used him he has been brilliant