Top 10 best buys

[phil80]

With the season over who do you think the Top 10 best buys were? This article included many of the players i would pick: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=534684&root=england&cc=5901

i probably would have put torres over santa cruz, but it is good they included lassana diarra (who's one of the most underrated player in the epl)

[Morsello]

Good list actually. I think the Santa Cruz signing was put number one based on the cost and what Blackburn have got out of it. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Roque getting an offer from one of the big 4 in the next couple seasons, his proved his worth already. I would of thought Tevez would be in the top 3.

[LG David]

Kenwyne Jones above Yakubu? Ha!

[soccerislife7]

On a somewhat related topic...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=534468&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos3&cc=5901

Anyway, Martin Petrov, to me, should've been higher on the list. His stats haven't been the highest, but the role he's played for City is clear (I like watching/rooting for them because they're rivals with ManU:)).

[Charlie_Boy]

On a somewhat related topic...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=534468&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos3&cc=5901

Anyway, Martin Petrov, to me, should've been higher on the list. His stats haven't been the highest, but the role he's played for City is clear (I like watching/rooting for them because they're rivals with ManU:)).

I think Tal Ben Haim, and Bizzaro should be on that list as well.

[glennaldo_sf]

Benny Feilhaber and Eddie Johnson should definitely be in the top five.

:D

[Harry Boulton]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branislav_Ivanovic

I had no idea what so ever that this guy signed for Chelsea in January for nearly £10m. £10m and he's never played. Only Chelsea could do that and, incidentally, only Chelsea could get him through the doors for so much money and not have anyone notice it either? What a bizarre transfer that is. It says a lot about your transfer policy when you sign someone for £10m and the world doesn't notice.......... :rolleyes:

[Charlie_Boy]

And who might you support?

[fanatic2008]

it is good listing

[Matt Clark]

It's a decent enough list and I don't think anyone can argue that Santa Cruz is the best buy - £3.5m for 19 debut season league goals ... that's genius. I'd put Mascherano in somewhere as well - he was expensive and of course first arrived in England last season, but for someone actually bought this season, he surely comes in the top 10 (bias acknowledged). His role and value in our midfield cannot be overstated (bizarre tantrum at Old Trafford notwithstanding). He made a massive difference to our basic tactical disposition, particularly as we had to play the ageing and glacier-slow Hyypia in the centre of defence for most of the season.

Other than that, good list.

[Swooshy]

£3.5m for Santa Cruz was a great deal for Blackburn.

[arsenal8080]

Frank Lampard signed a contract with Inter. 9 million euro will be paid per year. And Mourinho's 2nd man Drogba is the next target of Inter. Here are the photos of the hidden transfer deal.
http://www.turkspor.net/default.asp?o=1&id=37808 (http://www.turkspor.net/default.asp?o=1&id=37808)

[Twix]

Well, here are my own red-tinted views..

1. Santa Cruz

19 goals for 3.5m is ridiculous. Well done Sparky.

2. Carlos Tevez

In his debut season with United, he won the CL and the PL. Got 18 goals and a bunch of them were clutch.

3. Nani

In his debut season in a new country, he won the CL and the PL. Finished as the assist leader, despite not being a definite starter. Excellent prospect.

4. Fernando Torres.

33 goals for £26 million. He's had his breakout season and has established he may be the best #9 in all of Europe. Rafa should buy big names more often.

5. Anderson

He won the PL and the CL in his debut season in a new league in a new country. He's bossed players like Gerrard, Fabregas and so on in his debut season has the potential to be a true great. His influence waned as the season went on, but I reckon he'll put in some truly mammoth performances next season.

6. Distin

Has won the FA cup in his debut season He's been solid and has been integral to Pompey's success this season. Consistent all-round defender who's added depth to Pompey's backline (as they now have Primus as back up next season).

7. Mascherano

He's probably the best holding midfielder in the world. He has given 'Pool the platform to score so many goals this season. One of the few players I would adore to see at OT. He's still a mouthy f*cker though.

8. Owen Hargreaves

He's won the PL and the CL in his debut season. He's shown his tenacity, versatility and and plays with his heart on his sleeve.

9. Elano/Petrov

Didn't want to split them up. Before they were ran into the ground, they were class and added a new dimension to City. Dunno if City's new manager will utilize them properly yet.

10. Sagna

He's been solid and probably been one of the most consistent players in the whole league. He rarely gets caught and is already a mainstay in the Arsenal side.

[glennaldo_sf]

Darren Bent

At least for whoever is walking around with 15 million quid in their pocket.

:p

[phil80]

Well, here are my own red-tinted views..

1. Santa Cruz

19 goals for 3.5m is ridiculous. Well done Sparky.

2. Carlos Tevez

In his debut season with United, he won the CL and the PL. Got 18 goals and a bunch of them were clutch.

3. Nani

In his debut season in a new country, he won the CL and the PL. Finished as the assist leader, despite not being a definite starter. Excellent prospect.

4. Fernando Torres.

33 goals for £26 million. He's had his breakout season and has established he may be the best #9 in all of Europe. Rafa should buy big names more often.

5. Anderson

He won the PL and the CL in his debut season in a new league in a new country. He's bossed players like Gerrard, Fabregas and so on in his debut season has the potential to be a true great. His influence waned as the season went on, but I reckon he'll put in some truly mammoth performances next season.

6. Distin

Has won the FA cup in his debut season He's been solid and has been integral to Pompey's success this season. Consistent all-round defender who's added depth to Pompey's backline (as they now have Primus as back up next season).

7. Mascherano

He's probably the best holding midfielder in the world. He has given 'Pool the platform to score so many goals this season. One of the few players I would adore to see at OT. He's still a mouthy f*cker though.

8. Owen Hargreaves

He's won the PL and the CL in his debut season. He's shown his tenacity, versatility and and plays with his heart on his sleeve.

9. Elano/Petrov

Didn't want to split them up. Before they were ran into the ground, they were class and added a new dimension to City. Dunno if City's new manager will utilize them properly yet.

10. Sagna

He's been solid and probably been one of the most consistent players in the whole league. He rarely gets caught and is already a mainstay in the Arsenal side.
How can you leave out Lassana diarra?

[Twix]

How can you leave out Lassana diarra?
Who do I replace him with?

He's only been there for half a season, and since the QF against United, Portsmouth turned off and he seemed to be saving himselves only for the big games. He wasn't there in the first half of the season (like Distin was), where Portsmouth were flying and I penalized him for that as well. He's still a classy player, though. I'm sure he'll be find himself at a big club (again).

[phil80]

Who do I replace him with?

He's only been there for half a season, and since the QF against United, Portsmouth turned off and he seemed to be saving himselves only for the big games. He wasn't there in the first half of the season (like Distin was), where Portsmouth were flying and I penalized him for that as well. He's still a classy player, though. I'm sure he'll be find himself at a big club (again).
You can replace him with just about everyone on there. He has been exceptional especially if you consider his transfer fee. He was instrumental in them reaching and winning the fa cup and without him who knows how low they would have dropped in the table. although nani played the whole season he was not always used and hargreaves was injured for many games, and for their transfer fees and impact i wouldnt necessarily call them better buys than diarra.

[David Bolt]

Here's my top 10 but these players were all newcomers to the league.
1)Roque Santa Cruz
2) Bacary Sagna
3) Martin Petrov
4) Sulley Muntari
5) Wilson Palacios
6) Elano
7) Fernando Torres (only this low due to a high transfer fee)
8) Tuncay
9) Vedran Corluka
10) John Utaka

[Grinners89]

You can replace him with just about everyone on there. He has been exceptional especially if you consider his transfer fee. He was instrumental in them reaching and winning the fa cup and without him who knows how low they would have dropped in the table. although nani played the whole season he was not always used and hargreaves was injured for many games, and for their transfer fees and impact i wouldnt necessarily call them better buys than diarra.

I thought Diarra was cup-tied in the FA Cup...thats the whole reason why he didnt play the final. How would he have contributed then?

[glennaldo_sf]

I thought Diarra was cup-tied in the FA Cup...thats the whole reason why he didnt play the final. How would he have contributed then?

Eh? :rolleyes: It was Defoe who was cup tied. Diarra played in the final and was the best player on the pitch by quite some ways.

But they still gave the MOM award to Kanu for his tap in goal even my mother could have scored from.