Premier League: The best bargain buys in the last decade

The 2018-19 season is gathering pace as the action heads into the winter. Chelsea remain the only teams to have not lost yet with their summer arrival Jorginho spearheading their challenge. While the midfielder didn’t come cheap, he is proving to be worth every penny.

Just like every year, the Premier League clubs spent astronomically on players. However, the rub of the green has gone their way this time as numerous players have taken to the league like ducks to water.

Liverpool’s new boys have had a huge impact while Lucas Torreira at £26 million seems a steal for Arsenal. On the other hand, Riyad Mahrez cost an absolute fortune for the Cityzens yet has started to influence games his price tag and quality warrants.

On many an occasion, the Premier League clubs have been ridiculed for their exorbitant spending on rather average players. Thus, it is time that we recognised the astute pieces of business they have come up with over the years.

Through this article, we would look at the 5 best bargain buys PL clubs have made over the past decade. Without further ado, let us take a look at them:

Honourable Mentions: Kieran Tripper (Burnley to Tottenham), Andy Robertson (Hull City to Liverpool)

#5 James Milner (Manchester City to Liverpool, 2015 – Free)

In the summer of 2015, one of Manchester City’s unsung heroes became a free agent. Having played a hand in the Cityzens’ league triumphs, Milner represented an efficient option who had the experience of winning the biggest prize in England. Thus, when it came to light that he was available on a free transfer, the majority of English clubs sat up and took cognizance.

In the end, Liverpool won the race for his signature. Under Rodgers, Milner was asked to play out of position at full-back. Yet, Milner being the ultimate professional, turned in some fine displays in an unfamiliar role. However, since the arrival of Klopp, the Englishman has looked a man reborn.

Klopp has restored him to his favoured central midfield position and the midfielder has enjoyed a renaissance. Last season, Milner chalked up the highest number of assists en route Liverpool’s run to the Champions League final. In the current season, he has been the midfield general around whom Liverpool’s troops have rallied.

While Milner is not very extravagant with his play, there are barely a handful of players who can match his efficiency. In addition to his tenacity, the Englishman also possesses good dead-ball skills which make him a rare commodity.

In today’s market, a player with such a versatile skill-set would surely cost north of £30m. Hence, the Anfield hierarchy deserves credit for pulling this rabbit out of their hat. For these reasons, Milner makes our list at No.5.

#4 Dele Alli (MK Dons to Tottenham, 2015 – £5m)

Alli was a great buy by Tottenham Hotspur

When Spurs signed Dele Alli for around £5 million, many eyebrows were raised. Splashing such money on a player who had only played in League One seemed a gamble. However, in hindsight, the deal to bring the Englishman to White Hart Lane is as shrewd an acquisition as any.

Blessed with the ability to carve open any defence with his creativity, he burst on to the scene due to his precocious talent and mesmerising displays in League One.

Things were no different when he arrived in the Premier League and took it by storm. Soon after his debut, he became one of Spurs’ most potent weapons alongside Harry Kane. Additionally, the duo formed a fantastic partnership which bamboozled every defence in the land.

Since his arrival at Spurs, Alli has only improved and is now an essential cog for club and country. At 22 years of age, the midfielder has the world at his feet and if he can continue improving at the same rate, England could finally have found their Paul Gascoigne replacement.

Plucking Alli from wilderness was a smart move by Tottenham and therefore it comes as no surprise that he makes our list at No.4.

#3 Philippe Coutinho (Inter Milan to Liverpool, 2013 – £8.5m)

When Liverpool came calling for a diminutive, talented Brazilian in 2013, many Inter Milan fans did not bat an eyelid. A major cause for this was Coutinho’s inconsistent displays. While the whole of San Siro saw an extremely talented individual, they didn’t feel he could make the grade.

Fast forward five years and that very midfielder is one of the best creative talents on the planet. Coutinho really took off after his move to Merseyside and the fact that he was signed for less than 10 million made it sweeter for the Anfield faithful.

In his time at Liverpool, Coutinho played under Rodgers and Klopp. While he impacted games under the former, he took his game up a notch when the latter arrived.

Klopp used the Brazilian to spearhead a fearsome attack and Coutinho repaid his manager’s faith handsomely. The German also helped Coutinho tactically and made him the world beater he is today.

While many Liverpool fans would still be gutted to see Coutinho turn out for the Blaugrana, the fact that he was one of the best bargain buys of the decade can’t be discounted.

Hence, Coutinho makes the top three of our list.

#2 Cesar Azpilicueta (Marseille to Chelsea, 2012 – £6.5m)

Azpilicueta has been 'Mr. Consistent' for Chelsea

Versatility is a virtue that is madly craved yet equally elusive. The ability to play a number of positions in football eases several headaches the manager might be having. While such players are a rare commodity these days, the next player on our list is the epitome of versatility.

Azpilicueta was signed in 2012 from Marseille and yet like many a time, slipped under the radar. Over the years, Chelsea have made numerous big-name signings but one could argue that Azpilicueta was the most important of them all.

There aren’t many in world football who can play on either flank as a full-back while also doubling up as a centre back in a back three. In Azpilicueta, Chelsea found an absolute gem and a gem worth preserving for years to come.

The Spaniard has been as consistent as anyone on the planet and it is just a shame that he hasn’t amassed enough international caps for Spain. However, for his club, he has been superlative.

In his time in West London, Azpilicueta has won the league in addition to the Champions League. Despite the success, he looks as hungry as ever and is a vital part of Maurizio Sarri’s plans this season.

In today’s day and age, a player like Azpilicueta is surely worth in excess of £35m. Thus, the vision displayed by Chelsea to capture him for such a meagre amount is worthy of praise and he finds himself taking the No.2 spot on our list.

#1 N’Golo Kante (Caen to Leicester City, 2015 – £5.6m)

The hard-tackling midfielder slipped under the radar of the big clubs and landed at the King Power Stadium in 2015. Kante’s arrival wasn’t met with much optimism. However, just a year on, the whole world knew that in Kante, Leicester had the best defensive midfielder on the planet.

Kante boasts of an extremely rare skill-set. He prides himself on breaking up the play and being in the right place at the right time. Additionally, the Frenchman is an efficient user of the ball and rarely gives the ball away. Thus, it is no surprise that he has quickly established himself as one of the premier midfielders on the planet.

Leicester City’s run to the title in 2015-16 was as ludicrous a fairy tale as known by mankind. The way the effervescent Foxes outwitted one and all on their way to the title was a sight to behold. While Mahrez and Vardy grabbed all the headlines with their goal-scoring exploits, Kante was the most essential component in their machine.

Players like Kante don’t come around very often. Some years ago, a certain Claude Makelele came about and re-defined the defensive midfielder role. If Kante keeps performing like he has been doing, don’t be surprised if he revolutionises the way a defensive midfielder plays by the time he hangs up his boots.

To think that he cost less than 6 million is absolutely ridiculous. Hence, without a shadow of a doubt, the top spot on our list goes to N’Golo Kante.