2) Alex Song – Arsenal to Barcelona
Alex Song was a young teenager playing for Bastia in France when Arsene Wenger spotted his talent. The manager brought the midfielder on loan in 2005 and after impressing the coach he made his move permanent at the end of the season.
Song initially played as a centre back for Arsenal whenever their regular defenders were unavailable through injury. His breakthrough season was 2007-08 when he played his usual position of Central defensive midfielder.
Song was very crucial to Arsenal and became an undroppable member in the 2011-12 season when Fabregas left for Barcelona.The Spaniard was the creative engine while he was at Arsenal and that mantle was now taken up by the Cameroonian.
He provided several assists for Robin Van Persie and finished as Arsenal’s assist leader that season. But just after establishing himself as a key member he decided to join Barcelona after the Spanish club had shown interest in him.
Song was bought as back up to Sergio Busquets and hence didn’t really play much of a part at the club. Over the two seasons, he made only 39 appearances and several of them were from the bench. It’s never easy to break into team with the likes of Xavi Iniesta and Busquets. And Song never made a good enough impression to make a case to be a regular starter.
