5 best transfers from La Liga to the Premier League in the last 5 years

Spain had the best national team towards the end of the last decade, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the Euros in 2012. Though the national side has declined slightly in the recent past, Spanish clubs have dominated Europe over this decade without question

Sevilla won the UEFA Europa League three times in a row between 2013-14 and 2015-16 and Atletico Madrid won the second tier competition twice in three seasons between 2009-10 and 2011-12. Barcelona and Real Madrid, between them, have won the last four Champions League crowns.

Premier League sides, on the other hand, have spent exorbitant amounts of money to try and attract the best stars from La Liga to ply their trade in England.

There have been many successful moves from La Liga to the Premier League. There have been many flops as well - for every Mikel Arteta, there was a Federico Fazio.

In this slide-show, we look at the best La Liga-to-Premier League transfers in the last 5 years. More specifically, we look at players who had never played in England/Britain before and were transferred in directly from Spain.

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#5. Pedro (FC Barcelona to Chelsea)

Chelsea's Spanish star Pedro left Barcelona for the Blues

Pedro began his career at Barcelona, making 125 appearances and scoring 27 goals for Barcelona C and B, before being drafted into the first team in 2008-09, making 14 appearances under Pep Guardiola.

In 2009-10, Pedro played brilliantly, scoring 23 goals in 52 games and netting in six different competitions. He was also involved in many crucial goals across the season and became a mainstay of the Barcelona attack for the next four campaigns.

He suffered a slight downturn in goal-scoring form and expressed a desire to leave which was granted by the Barcelona hierarchy. Despite a £28 million move to Manchester United being reported, Pedro signed for Chelsea.

Since his arrival at the London club, he has racked up 90 appearances and scored 23 goals so far for the Blues. He enjoyed a good season in 2016-17, netting 13 times across the season as Chelsea were crowned champions.

#4. Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid to Arsenal)

Mesut Ozil has developed wonderfully at Arsenal

The German International is someone who has divided opinion in recent years. When he moved to the Premier League from Real Madrid, he was one of the best midfield playmakers in the world.

The sheen of his attacking brilliance has been weathered a little with all the talk of his falling out at Arsenal. He remains, however, a success without doubt, especially since his productive link-up with Alexis Sanchez.

Ozil has managed an astounding 42 assists and 23 goals in the Premier League for Arsenal. Despite his questionable defensive work-rate, Ozil has been value-for-money for the £42.5 million in transfer fees that were paid to get him from Real Madrid.

#3. Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao to Manchester United)

Herrera starred in United's first Europa League win

Ander Herrera began playing professionally for Real Zaragoza B and then the first team before being signed by Basque club Athletic Bilbao. He excelled in midfield for Bilbao and was subject to a failed £24 million bid from Manchester United in 2013-14.

Subsequently, he joined the Manchester giants in the next season and has grown in influence and stature at the club.

Herrera spent a large part of his early United career playing off the bench until he established himself last season. He has found himself back on the bench so far this season, making only 2 league starts, but he seems content as a part of a rotation system.

United paid £28.5 million for Herrera and have been repaid with commitment and quality performances by him.

#2. Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea)

Costa score in the FA Cup final vs Arsenal

In the last five years, Diego Costa switched his nationality to Spanish, helped knock out Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final while playing for Atletico Madrid, joined Chelsea and returned to the Spanish capital as a two-time Premier League winner.

Costa had a very controversial stay in England. He was a divisive figure and there were always doubts on whether he was fully fit in the English environment. Despite that, there was no doubt that his brute strength and clinical finishing suited the English game.

He joined as a highly rated striker and left as one of the best Chelsea forwards in the Premier League era. Costa even gave Chelsea a profit, after going AWOL earlier this season. This at 29, shows how valuable the Brazil-born centre-forward is.

#1. Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona to Arsenal)

Arsenal's contract rebel has unquestionably been an excellent purchase

Alexis Sanchez left Barcelona because his performances and value to the side were over-shadowed massively by Lionel Messi. Joining Arsenal truly matured the Chilean star. He went from left-wing side-kick at Barcelona to cover star at Arsenal.

In 108 games for Arsenal in the league, Sanchez has scored 53 goals, netting 24 times last season. He also starred in the FA Cup final vs Chelsea, scoring once and being named Man of the Match.

Sanchez was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in the summer window, but has stayed at Arsenal. The Chilean joined the club for £31.7 million and has been worth every penny spent, despite his recent antics and attempts to leave the club.