The 2010 summer transfer window has been as exciting as ever and the columns kept filling up with the latest deals, but seeing the window has just closed, this looks like the perfect time to assess clubs’ dealings in the transfer market and see which deals are expected to prove the most profitable. In addition to that, the future candidates for the transfer flops of the season will also feature here.
Best summer signings
5.) Simon Kjaer (Palermo to Wolfsburg, €12 million)
After arriving to Palermo, Simon Kjaer quickly established his reputation as one of the brightest talents to have emerged from Denmark during the last decade and after two impressive seasons at Renzo Barbera, as well as a formidable showing at World Cup 2010, the 21-year-old became one of the most sought after players in Europe. Even though he was courted by big European clubs, Kjaer eventually made a switch to Wolfsburg for 12 million euros, with the Wolves getting one of Europe’s hottest prospects for a reasonable price. Considering his age and quality, there is no doubt Kjaer’s price will just continue to rise.
4.) Marouane Chamakh (Bordeaux to Arsenal, free)
The fans were constantly on Wenger’s back asking for the boss to sign a true center forward, and he finally decided to grant their wish by bringing Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer. The Moroccan striker gained a lot of experience with les Girondinds over the last few years and he looks ready for the Premier League, while he seems to be just the player Arsenal needed all these years. Towering striker that he is, Chamakh is very good in the air but also very competent on the ball, and he is a real poacher in the box. With players like Arshavin, Walcott and Fabregas around him, the Moroccan could easily explode in his first Premiership season.
3.) Mesut Ozil (Werder to Real Madrid, €15 million)
The whole football world has witnessed the meteoric rise of Mesut Ozil ever since he joined Werder Bremen two years ago, although there were hardly a lot of interested clubs in the Germany international before the World Cup in South Africa. However, everything changed after Ozil played an integral part in Germany’s outstanding World Cup campaign and it was soon just a question of where he will continue his career. Real Madrid pulled off quite a coup by signing him for as little as €15 million and there is no doubt the German will quickly pay Real back for the faith shown in him.
2.) David Villa (Valencia to Barcelona, €40 million)
Villa’s transfer to Barcelona will go down in history as one of the biggest deals ever in La Liga, but considering the fee involved, this simply cannot be dubbed the best of the summer. Villa, nonetheless, showed that he will have no problems fitting in by rounding off a brilliant debut for the Catalans with a goal against Racing Santander, and he is only expected to go from strength to strength at Camp Nou. El Guaje already knows most of the Barca players from the national team and the attacking trident of Villa, Messi and Iniesta is second to none at the moment.
1.) Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid to Tottenham, €10 million)
Not even Harry Redknapp himself could believe that Real Madrid were willing to let such a great player leave for the price of €10 million, and this is clearly the bargain of the season. It is interesting that the best deal of the summer was done just few hours before the transfer window closed and it needed a special clearance from the before being announced as official. Van der Vaart’s creativity and experience at the biggest stage should prove to be a major asset for Tottenham in their maiden Champions League campaign, while it will also keep Spurs in good stead for the Premier League top 4 race. The Tottenham fans must have thought somebody was winding them up when they were informed of this transfer.
Worst summer signings
5.) Paul Konchesky (Fulham to Liverpool, €4 million)
New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson brought the air of excitement with him, especially after bringing Joe Cole to the club and persuading Gerrard and Torres to remain at Anfield but the deadline day signing of Paul Konchesky from Fulham will not go down as one of the best moves in his career. Having played in the Premiership more than 10 years, the left-back brings with him a wealth of experience but apart from that and maybe hard tackling, there is not much more he has to offer to Liverpool faithful. Roy Hodgson obviously knows his qualities very well having trained him at Fulham, but there is no way Kochesky can be a success at Anfield.
4.) Mario Yepes (Chievo to Milan, free)
Milan are not called a retirement home for nothing and the Rossoneri are doing their best to justify the tag. For a team supposedly fighting for honors, bringing a 34-year-old defender well past his prime cannot be considered a good move, even if there is no money involved. Yes, Yepes played well for Chievo last season, but he was a part of defence-minded team that often had at least ten players behind ball, and now, obviously if called upon, the Columbian will have to guard a side that boast players like Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Robinho and Pato. Can you tell the difference?
3.) Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool to Chelsea, €6.6 million)
Nobody knows what in the world possessed Carlo Ancelotti to let Joe Cole leave the club and sign Yossi Benayoun as his replacement, but the Italian must know something we don’t. The Israeli midfielder proved to be a big flop at Anfield despite the fact that Rafa Benitez would play him even if he was completely out of form, and at 30 years of age, he doesn’t look fit to sit on Chelsea’s bench let alone play on regular basis. At a time when Roman Abramovich looks to curb the club’s spending, this looks like a total waste of money.
2.) Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim to Rubin, €20 million)
This transfer window have shown us that Russian clubs are not too far away from Manchester City and Real Madrid when it comes to excessive spending. Rubin Kazan managed to win back to back Russian Premier League titles without any big name signings but after seeing what Zenit and Spartak Moscow were doing, they decided to splash €20 million on Hoffenheim playmaker Carlos Eduardo. The Brazilian played pretty well for the Bundesliga outfit during the last three years but he is still somewhat of an unknown quantity and €20 million is just too much for a player that never took part in a European competition.
1.) Jorge Martinez (Catania to Juventus, €12 million)
Jorge Martinez become one of club’s first signings this summer after completing his switch from Catania but the Uruguayan was simply paid too much for standards. Martinez may be a good player but with Juventus being just his second club in Europe, he will learn the hard way the pressures of playing for such a big club, something that not even Diego and Felipe Melo could deal with. To make matters worse, Martinez picked up an injury on his debut against Bari that is set to sideline him for at least a month. All things considered, the Uruguayan already looks like a firm favorite for the flop of the season.
Go here for more for 2010/2011. Also make sure to visit our section for the latest transfers and rumours.
