We are now about a third of the way into the 2007/2008 Premiership season. Who do you think have been the impressive new signings so far this season and why? My nomination is Fernando Torres. He has already been prolific and looks like he has been playing in England for years. Despite being out for a month or so he has already scored 10 goals for Liverpool. Also Sagna of Arsenal has come in and looked assured, composed and again made the transition to English football seamless. He has forced Eboue into the RW position and looks very consistent. I think Bale of Spurs has been brilliant also. Despite being so young he is already one of Spurs best players and has made the step the divisions without breaking stride. He has already scored a few and will be a big star for many years.
Can't forget Elano, one of the best players this season and the driving force behind Man City's resurrgence on the pitch.
Torres has been impressive but I can't help thinking hat he'd have had more of an impact if Rafa had not dropped him all the time. Tevez has proved to be good for us and Bale has been impressive for Tottenham. I like Veronyn atr Liverpool, as limited as he can be. He works hard and knows where the net is when given a chance...
I would say that Anderson has been probably the most impressive, though obviously he hasn't had the same impact as a Elano or Torres or Tevez. In any case, here is my top 10 based on the most impact(league and Europe, where possible):- 1. Elano Blumer 2. Fernando Torres 3. Carlitos Tevez 4. Sylvain Distin 5. Martin Petrov 6. John Utaka 7. Roque Santa Cruz T8. Javier Garrido T8. Bacary Sagna T9. Kenwyne Jones T9. Olivier Kapo T10. Anderson T10. Gareth Bale
Sulley Muntari has been working very well in the Pompey midfield...Roque Santa Cruz has also been quite impressive for Rovers.
You've based the list on impact and included such names as Gareth Bale, Santa Cruz and to a lesser extent John Utaka. Nigel Reo-Coker has been excellent this season. Fantastic workrate. Quality defensive player. His passing isn't world class but it doesn't have to be. As long as he isn't too extravagant/keeps things simple he's a very effective player. Not a glaring oversight but on the course of impact there's no way he'd be anywhere behind Bale who seems to have a case of Ledley King-itis.
From whatever I have seen of NRC this season, he seems to be recapturing his form of 2005-06; his dismal form last season was more of an aberration. His performances haven't exactly stood out for me personally. While there is a decent case for saying NRC has had more of an impact than Bale so far, a T10 position is still just rewards for the ease with which he has made the step-up from the Championship to the Prem. Santa Cruz, while he hasn't exactly been tearing up the goal-scoring charts, has got a fair number of goals and has been involved in so many of Blackburn's goals(just checked his stats; 6 goals and 5 assists in 15 starts).
The Best Signings Not In Order 1. Torres 2. Bale 3. Santa Cruz 4. Petrov 5. Tevez 6. Anderson 7. Jones 8. Sagna
I am not arguing with your choice of players but should just point out you cannot actually have a top 10 list containing 13 players. It's actually a top 13 list
I can't tell if your just talking about additions to the EPL this year, or if team to team counts. Because Yakubu is worth mentioning. 8 goals in the league
I am talking about new signings and not just players new to the EPL. So Yakubu is def worth considering. Strangely I think he has been under-rated this season until last weekend. He has been somewhat low on the radar but his record in the Prem speaks for itself. Now he seems more settled and confident at Everton he should cause some damage this season.
You are quite right. 10 goals in 15 games for him now. Truly wonderful piece of business for Moyes. He will have his doubters for being lazy as us Everton fans like players who will constantly fight for the team but he's been exceptional. Looks like he's lost weight from when at Boro', working hard, scoring goals and linking up with other players. Whilst on the subject of Everton and new signings, Steven Pienaar has been very good as well. Never stops running, great distribution, good and hard in the tackle (despite being small) and can pick out a killer pass. He takes the pressure off Arteta as well because he supplies goals. Other players have to be Torres, Muntari, Elano, Tevez, K.Jones etc
Elano for sure... Talking about Brazilians.... Here's a free comp:to win a Brazilian Serie A kit http://bashthebookie.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=main1&action=display&thread=1197554822
The problem with Yakubu is still that he tends to score goals in spurts and is anonymous in between. If he sustains his current form through the season, only then can he claim his position amongst the best strikers in the league(something which his goals to games ratio indicates).