Transfers in today’s football can dramatically change a side for the better or sometimes prove a real waste of money. So I thought it would be interesting to look at history of the English Premiership and see who are the 15 Best and Worst Transfers ever done. By no means is this an exhaustive list, or some finite cut in stone immovable list, but simply my own analysis. Today I bring you “The Best”, and will follow that up tomorrow with “The Worst”.
The Best
1- Peter Schmeichel (Man United) Costing only half a million, it had Alex Ferguson saying the “bargain of the century”. At that price it surely was an unreal, once in a lifetime purchase! As good a keeper I have ever seen, he is in my eyes the best pound for pound transfer ever in Premiership History.
2- Eric Cantona(Man United) at 1.2 million again transfer by Sir Alex!! He was the final cog in the united’s engine that helped made it tick, yes he was a nutter but as a footballer was exceptional scoring 82 times for United.
3- Thierry Henry (Arsenal) at 10.5 million a very shrewd Wenger buy who went on to become the all-time top Arsenal scorer and one of the best players ever to play in the Premiership. He will always be an Arsenal legend.
4- Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) 7.5 million. Even to this day it is still marveled over by the Arsenal fans as he scored 120 times for the Gunners. He was a truly great player that had it all – superb passer that scored some truly amazing goals.
5- Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) It was no chicken feed at 12 million form Lisbon, but was exceptional for United before being sold for a transfer fee record for over 80 million. He has everything a player needs and more. A top, top quality player.
6- Alan Shearer (Blackburn) For 3.6 million, he was a great buy for Blackburn from Southampton who went on to score 131 times in only 172 appearances. He won the title at Blackburn before returning to hometown club, Newcastle.
7- Peter Cech (Chelsea) Cech cost 7 million from French club Rennes. He has consistently proven himself to be one of the world’s best keepers. A great shot stopper, very brave and just very difficult to beat between the posts.
8- Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) For 3.5 million, he simply bossed the midfield for Arsenal during their most trophy laden period in Gunners history. It was a great bit of business by Arsenal, getting him so cheaply.
9- Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea) 4.5 million bought Zola from Parma by Rudd Gullit. He went on to become a Chelsea legend who had it all; skill, a great touch and the ability to score beautiful goals. Zola is still talked about by the Stamford Bridge faithful to this day.
10- Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Since joining the Blues for 11 million from West Ham, Lampard has become a true legend at the Bridge! Over 150 goals and counting is immense for a midfielder. He has been nothing short of a silky, classy footballer.
11- Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Drogba was not cheap at 24 million, but was unbelievable for the Blues, seemingly always scoring important goals in the biggest of games – Champions League final, FA cup final, and the list goes on. At his best he was an unstoppable legend at the bridge.
12- Vincent Kompany (Man City) Kompany is one of the best centre backs in the World, and at 6 million he was a real bargain in today’s highly inflated market. He has already helped City win the title, and is simply a colossus at the back.
13- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Man United) Nicknamed the “Baby-faced Assassin”, or “Super Sub”, at 1.5 million he proved a real snipe for Man United. He scored so many important goals, ending his united career with 91 goals – a real proper poacher.
14- Paulo Di Canio (West Ham) Di Canio joined for 1.75 million from Sheff Weds and is still a legend for the Hammers. He had great skill and worked hard for the team proving a quality buy for the price.
15- Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal) Anelka was a real snip for the Gunners at 500,00, scoring 23 times in 65 games. He had his attitude issues, but knew where the onion bag was.
So there you have my Best Signings Ever. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow as I give you my Worst Signings Ever.
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