Top 5 value for money EPL signings in 2013-14 so far

Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League

The New Year is widely considered to be a time where we forget what’s happened in the past and look toward the future, brighter horizons and new beginnings inclusive.

However, the Premier League isn’t quite as forgiving as a resolution might be, and here we’ll look back over the past six months, weighing up who got the most bang for their buck from the summer transfer window.

It’s worth noting that loan deals haven’t been considered in this rundown; we’re only concerned about the real deal, the permanent transfers.

Weighing up cost of the transfer against what that player’s contributed to the cause so far this term, it’s not necessarily the big-money names who have come out on top midway through the 2013-14 term.

5. Christian Eriksen – Ajax to Tottenham – £11m

For a long time prior to his move to White Hart Lane, Christian Eriksen was linked with a number of Premier League clubs, and his first few steps in the English top flight have made it easy to see why.

The former Ajax man was brought to north London for a relatively meagre £11 million and has since featured in 11 of Spurs’ Premier League matches, creating a sensational 24 scoring chances in that period of time, just three behind Tottenham’s main craftsman Kyle Walker.

The most prolific source of that provision came during the November loss to Newcastle United, where the Dane made no less than nine scoring opportunities, all to no effect.

However, Eriksen has shone all the same, making a chance for his team-mates an average of once every 33 minutes, roughly three per 90-minute outing.4. James McCarthy – Wigan to Everton – £12m

Everton v Southampton - Premier League

James McCarthy’s output took a considerable turn for the better with Roberto Martinez as his mentor at Wigan Athletic, so to see the Spanish manager convince Bill Kenwright to plump a £12 million figure on his former DW Stadium charge was no surprise.

Since then, the young Irishman has continued to progress at Goodison Park, holding his ground as one of Everton’s mainstay central midfielders despite a wealth of other, more experienced options being on hand.

Though the 23-year-old isn’t even in the Toffees’ top 10 when it comes to Performance Score (283), his displays have been nothing if not reliable.

McCarthy has won 38 of his 66 tackle attempts and completed 10 of his 16 tackle attempts. However, there is a more glamorous side to the playmaker and only Kevin Mirallas has crafted more scoring chances than McCarthy’s tally of 26.3. Mesut Ozil – Real Madrid to Arsenal – £42m

Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League

The biggest Premier League transfer signing of the summer, £42 million man Mesut Ozil was always going to have a lot to live up to at the Emirates Stadium, and he’s kindly obliged manager Arsene Wenger.

The German international has maintained his status as one of Europe’s most attractive playmaking talents, and is joint-second in the division’s creative charts, making 45 scoring opportunities for his fellow Gunners, close behind Eden Hazard’s 49 at Chelsea.

Ozil has given Wenger’s side a catalytic gear going forward in attack, maintaining a pass accuracy of 88% and completing more than 800 of his attempts so far this term.

For a player who’s not only switched leagues but switched entire styles of play in dramatic fashion, the 24-year-old is adapting magnificently.2. Tom Huddlestone – Tottenham to Hull City – £5m

Hull City v Fulham - Premier League

Purchased for a mere £5 million, Tom Huddlestone is evidence that price-tags and their value are two completely different aspects of any deal.

Without the former Tottenham man in his squad, Steve Bruce’s side would be far worse off than their current mid-table ranking, with Huddlestone bringing a very reliable resource of top-flight experience to the Tigers’ ranks.

The 27-year-old has lived up to his physical expectations, winning 50% of all duels on average—a respectable tally for a central midfielder—while topping the club’s Performance Score standings by more than 100 points (498).

What’s more, Huddlestone has been a force for the KC Stadium outfit moving forward, too, creating 34 goal opportunities for his side, a considerable amount more than his closest competitor Jake Livermore (21).1. Dejan Lovren – Lyon to Southampton – £8.5m

FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-SOUTHAMPTON

Nicola Cortese’s direction of Southampton’s transfer funds hasn’t always worked to great effect, but the £8.5 million stumped up for former Lyon man Dejan Lovren is looking cooler by the match.

Winning 62 of his 100 headed duels and 64% of all tackles, the Croatian has been one of the main components in a Saints defence that hasn’t looked out of its depth against the Premier League big guns this season.

On five occasions, Lovren has won Squawka’s best defence award, being nominated as Man of the Match once and top man in the team another couple of times.

An average of 11 defensive actions per game puts Mauricio Pochettino’s centre-back supreme on a par with some of the English top-flight’s biggest stalwart’s, helping his side into the same conversations that mention “European football.”

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Edited by Staff Editor