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The armsace in the Premier League well and truly started when a certain Roman Abramovich brought his riches to London. The English Premier League clubs spending on players reached almost £500m during the summer transfer window this season. You can never stand still in the Premier League, clubs add players to bring more quality, push others in the squad or for future preferences. New signings gets the fans excited and have them up in giddiness.
While some end up biting the dust, others are instant heroes. So who are the biggest captures of the season so far? We judged them on two parameters: The Price and The Impact. We’ve come up with a score for each one and a fair idea about what they have brought to the table for their new teams.
The Price – 6.5/10
Sunderland signed the Scottish international from relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers for an initial £12 million, potentially rising to £14 million. The fee really seemed astronomical given Fletcher’s goal scoring record of 22 in 61 for the midland club didn’t quite command such a fee. However, Sunderland were in need of a striker with pedigree and a limited scouting network brings about such need for spending.
The Impact – 8/10
The Scottish international however has done everything to live up to his billing. He began his Sunderland stint in some style, bagging 5 goals in his first 4 games, in the process endearing himself to the Wearsiders.
The Price – 8/10
Martin Jol pulled off a coup late on in the Summer transfer market as he brought in the talented Dimitat Berbatov from the clutches of Juventus. The Bulgarian may have been surplus to requirements at Manchester United and past his peak but he still gives the Londoners that extra oomph that any team like Fulham need to push on to claim a European spot.
The Impact – 7/10
Berbatov’s return has been a handy 5 goals in 10 starts. But he brings much more to the table than just mere goals. He leads the side with 23 chances created so far and provides a sense of calmness to the Fulham attack, which has been one of the most potent in the league this season while all the while looking totally nonchalant.
The Price – 8/10
The Gunners brought the experienced and explosive yet dynamic forward from German side 1. FC Köln for a reported fee which could rise to about 11 million pounds. That’s really not much for the experience and offensive pedigree that he brings to North London.
The Impact – 7/10
Used mostly on the left side of the midfield, the German hasn’t been afforded the best position to let his goal scoring attributes be noticed. He has scored 18 last season in the Bundesliga but up until now has only been able to bag 4 while starting every game for the Gunners. He has chipped in with 3 assists from open play as well.
The Price – 7.5/10
Chris Hughton is certainly known for pulling off transfer coups. In his time at Newcastle, he brought in players like Tiote for 2.5 million and Hatem Ben Arfa. It was his managerial brilliance that got cash-strapped Birmingham to the Championship play-offs. This time Hughton has pulled the rabbit out of the hat again with the signing of Cameronian Sebastien Bassong for 4.5 million. He knew what he was getting with the defender, having worked with him in the 2008-09 season when he was the assistant manager at Newcastle, which when he came to the fore as Newcastle’s player of the season.
The Impact – 7.5/10
The Cameroonian, along with Turner, has shored up the Canaries’ defense. The Canaries are now on an 8 game unbeaten streak, a stretch which has seen them have 4 clean sheets while conceding only 4 goals in the period. Bassong’s presence has been a large reason Norwich look assured at the back and his capability to chip in with goals time and again has just been the icing on the cake.
The Price – 8/10
The Spanish starlet cost the Gunners around 13 million but that’s what the going rate is these days for as talented a midfielder Cazorla is. The Spanish wizard was instrumental in getting Malaga to the Champions league before he left to be part of Arsene Wenger’s latest revolution.
The Impact – 8/10
Cazorla has quickly become Arsenal‘s mainstay at the centre of midfield. His play has been a source of inspiration for the Gunners. If they hadn’t faltered in the last few weeks, Cazorla may well have been placed higher in the order. Cazorla leads the league in creating chances for any midfielder and has the highest number of passes in the final third. His partnership with Wilshire has the Arsenal fans dreaming of a rosy future to come.
