As the curtains are being drawn on the European football season, the evaluation period begins. Who did how? Who was a hit? Who was the ultimate flop?
It is in human nature to judge—we are pejorative beings, we like to look at others and discuss how they have been doing instead of looking in the mirror. It is no different in football as well. After a summer of spending, people hope for results—especially if big money moves for star players are involved.
Sometimes, it reaps rewards. At other times, it doesn’t. One can never really predict if a signing is going to work or not. For instance, Ricardo Kaka was one of the best players in the world when Real Madrid signed him. Fans were hoping that he would get the ground running, but he turned out to be their worst signing ever.
However, we won’t be addressing the darker end of the spectrum here. In the summer of 2015, some great deals were made. And here are 5 of them…
#5 Eric Bailly – Espanyol to Villarreal
We start off with a young defender. Eric Bailly has been a revelation this season. After being signed from Espanyol for just 5.7 million Euros, he has established himself as one of the best defenders in the league with his fine performances every week.
His presence at the back for Villarreal was one of the biggest reason for them conceding only 33 goals in the league season—which is the third best in the league.
What stands out about him is his composure and ability to read danger a moment earlier. He might only be 22 years old, but he plays like someone who is a veteran of the game. His performances also haven’t gone unnoticed as Manchester City are apparently interested in acquiring his services.
#4 Kevin de Bruyne – Wolfsburg to Manchester City
When Kevin De Bruyne was signed from Wolfsburg for a whopping 58 million pounds, many expected him to take the Premier League by storm. And they were right.
Injuries might have hampered his season more than he would have liked, but it couldn’t undermine his influence in the games he played. His direct influence in the final third is what made him the best player in the Bundesliga last season and it was something that helped Manchester City in many games this season—especially in the beginning before the injuries started to kick in.
In the 43 games he played in all competitions this season, he managed to score 17 goals while providing 9 assists in the process—a great return considering that he was played in numerous position in an injury bothering season.
#3 Toby Alderweireld – Atletico Madrid to Tottenham Hotspurs
The last time Spurs qualified for the Champions League was when Ledley King was fit enough to play enough games to stamp his authority on the team. Since then, Tottenham have tried and tried…and failed.
However, it seems like their search for another Ledley King-like leader in defense has ended with the rise of Toby Alderweireld.
After a fine season with Southampton, where he was on loan from Atletico Madrid, he was snapped up by Tottenham Hotspurs for just 11.5 million pounds. The intention of the club was for him to be the partner of Jan Vertonghen.
This turned out to be their signing of the season as his superb ability to win the ball back was crucial for Tottenham Hotspurs. The team that was always mocked for their defense are now the best defensive unit in England—and they have the Belgian’s genius to thank for.
#2 Dimitri Payet – Marseille to West Ham United
Marseille have produced some really fine footballers and one among them is the 29-year-old, Dimitri Payet.
The French wing-forward was one of the revelations of this season as he ripped apart many backlines with his trickery and zeal. Like almost every other winger, he has an uncanny ability to dribble and threaten the opposition defense directly.
However, what stands out about him is his execution. He knows when to do and what to do—whether to go solo or bring in a team-mate. It is this ability that allowed him to score 12 goals and make 12 assists in all competition this season—something that earned him a call-up to the France squad for the Euros.
Not only was this a great season for him on an individual level, but his performances have helped West Ham stay in contention for European football. Certainly, this was the best way to spend 10 million pounds.
#1 N’Golo Kante – Caen to Leicester City
Riyad Mahrez might have been given the award for the best player of the year in the Premier League, but N’Golo Kante is the true top player of this season.
There is not a single championship winning team in the history of modern football that didn’t have a proper world class holding midfielder guarding the defense. In an era that is dominated by Sergio Busquets, his arrival to the big scene has finally brought some legit competition for the Spaniard.
His performances have sparked a lot of interest as even Real Madrid—a club not known to deal well with holding players—are keeping an eye out for this man-mountain.
It is not like he is someone who only knows to win the ball back and then do nothing good with it. He is also a clever passer of the ball who is surprisingly good with dribbling—thanks to his upbringing as a winger.
All this for just 8 million euros. Perhaps, money can indeed buy happiness.
