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The shutters came down on the transfer window across various European leagues with the clock ticking past 11 PM in the night. The summer, like always, was witness to some pain-staking sagas, never-ending negotiations and bargaining. But eventually, it proved to be a fruitful summer for Premier League fans as a plethora of stars from various leagues across the planet made their way to England to strut their stuff in the most popular top-flight competition in the world.
Away from the Cazorlas, van Persies, Hazards, Maicons, the mid-table and newly-promoted clubs too dipped their beak into the water time and again, securing shrewd business deals, loan moves without splashing truckloads of moolah.
We look at some of the shrewdest business deals of the summer transfer window that might have missed the public’s eye because of the relatively inferior stature of the clubs involved, the amount involved in the transfer or the obsession of the media with the top clubs of England.
The French defensive midfielder made a less-than pronounced switch to London from Marseille in the second week of August. And what makes this story even more unexpected is his destination in London. No it wasn’t Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham or QPR. Diarra slid in through the back door to none other than West Ham United, one of the 3 teams promoted from Division Two after last season. For a fee believed to be in the region of £2 million, the deal is more than just a bargain.
French football enthusiasts might have known him since his prodigal talent surfaced, but Diarra, no matter how many of his name-sakes ply their trade in the same position, made a name for himself at this summer’s Euros. He provided able cover for the injured M’Vila and at the age of 31, has ample experience under his belt. He might just be the coherent and holding force the Hammers need to stay afloat in the top-fight.
The right-back position had transformed into a sort of Achilles Heel for Chelsea football club over the the last decade. Different managers tried different options in Paulo Ferreira, Jose Bosingwa, Juliano Belletti to name a few. Apart from Ferreira, none seem to click for the Blues. Even their current first choice, Branislav Ivanovic isn’t a natural right back, although he did a fairly decent job last season.
Azpilicueta is as good as a right-back as they make them. The Spanish Olmypian moved to West London in a reported £7 million deal. He has pace, agility, anticipation apart from being a solid defender. On top of that, he was nurtured among Spain’s upcoming crop of players and has represented his country at every possible youth level, right from the age of 16. RDM has covered all the holes in histeam with this signing from Marseille.
Miguel Pérez Cuesta, better known as Michu, has got be this summer’s biggest transfer success story. Signed for a meager £2 million by the Danish legend and Swansea boss Michael Laudrup, Michu has already scored 3 goals in his club’s opening two league fixtures. For those who religiously follow La Liga, and not just Barcelona and Real Madrid, Michu’s transfer to Swansea signaled an approach towards an ambitious project taken by the Welsh club’s think-tank.
Playing for newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano last season, Michu was the heart and soul of some stunning and brave football showcased by the Madrid-based club. His league tally of 15 goals was the best effort by a midfielder in the Spanish top-flight as Rayo finished at a commendable fifteenth position. With Allen and Sinclair’s departure, the responsibility on Michu’s shoulder might have compounded a bit, but the Spaniard would be relishing at the prospect of carrying his team forward and continuing his own and his team’s exceptional start to the season.
Now this came as a shocker to most Premier League aficionados. If you’ve been watching European football for six-seven years, you’d definitely know who Pablo Hernandez is and what this diminutive winger is capable of. To give up Champions League football for a club which just finished its first season in the English top-flight speaks volumes about Laudrup’s ambitions and where Swansea see themselves at the end of the season.
Pablo was probably attracted by the chance of reuniting with his former boss at Getafe. The club transfer fee record of £5.55m was enough for The Swans to pry him out of Valencia. Pablo will more than make up for the loss of Scott Sinclair. He has international experience, has featured regularly in European club competitions and has been a mainstay on the flanks for Valencia. His signature represents a major coup for the Welsh side.
When an Inter Milan player, who won 5 Serie A titles along with a Champions League medal with them, moves to an English club, which avoided relegation on the very last day of the season, on a free transfer, you know it’s a work of the Almighty. After seven glorious seasons in Milan, Brazilian international goalkeeper bid adieu to Italy and landed in the humble surroundings of Loftus Road.
Whatever Mark Hughes spoke to him about might be history, but it certainly worked wonders. Part of a transformed QPR squad, Cesar didn’t quite make the British tabloid headlines as anticipated. But he’ll surely be grabbing all the attention in the QPR shirt as he adjusts to a new life in London. He remains one of the top shot-stoppers in the world and fans across the globe will be itching to see him in action in the Premier League.
Disclaimer: The above list of players was solely at the author’s discretion and represents his personal view. Readers are expected to respect his opinion and are welcome to express their disagreements in the comments section. You can also add players who you think should have been part of this list but don’t forget to mention why!
