10. Samuel Eto'o to Chelsea
Although Eto'o featured in the Top Ten Underwhelming Signings, it's difficult to argue that the striker isn't a bargain on a free transfer. A move for Wayne Rooney would have generated much more of a buzz at Stamford Bridge, but Jose Mourinho's faith in Eto'o suggests the forward may have enough left in the tank to lead the line this season. The 32-year-old is no longer at the peak of his powers but, with Chelsea's many and various attacking midfielders providing support, he could prove to be a shrewd stop-gap signing before a renewed move for Rooney next summer. Let's hope he's here for one last hurrah rather than an overstayed welcome at the top level.
9. Sascha Riether to Fulham
This may be the most boring suggestion imaginable, but Fulham's decision to make Sascha Riether's loan move permanent is one of the more sensible deals in a summer of splurging. Martin Jol has had to make the most of a limited budget and a £1million move for last year's Mr Dependable is money well spent. Indeed, there was talk of Schalke offering Fulham double their outlay for Riether just two weeks later. The 30-year-old will do little to lower the Cottagers' alarming average age, but he is one of the Premier League's unsung heroes and can be relied upon for another season of consistency.
8. Jonathan de Guzman to Swansea
After De Guzman helped Swansea to the League Cup and ninth place in the Premier League last season, agreeing another deal for the Dutchman was high on Michael Laudrup's list of priorities. At first it was reported that Villarreal were demanding £8million for the 25-year-old, who picked up his first international cap last season, but eventually another season-long loan was struck. Considering how important he has proved to Swansea's style of play, De Guzman could be an even more crucial signing than the club's £12million acquisition of Wilfried Bony.
7. Nathan Redmond to Norwich
Although not as exciting as the capture of Dutch duo Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Leroy Fer, Redmond's arrival from Birmingham could turn out to be Norwich's best bit of business in a busy summer. The Canaries paid just £3.5million for the England Under-21 star and he has already chipped in with the winning goal in the club's first victory of the season against Southampton. Redmond adds zip and incision to a Norwich side that were often quite ponderous in Anthony Pilkington's absence last season and he has completed the highest number of dribbles in the Premier League so far. It's a no-lose deal for Norwich and should Redmond continue to show promise, they can expect his sell-on value to soar over the course of the season.
6. Gary Medel and Steven Caulker to Cardiff
As Daniel Storey wrote here, defence is often a manager's blind spot when it comes to strengthening for a survival bid, but Cardiff have reinforced the spine of their team with two quality recruits. Paying £8million for an England international defender is a particularly shrewd piece of business and whatever happens to the Bluebirds this season, they will still be able to recoup their outlay on Caulker. Medel was more expensive at around £11million, but I'm a huge fan of the Chilean after watching him marshal the midfield for the national team and Sevilla. If Malky Mackay can keep Medel fit and focused Cardiff stand every chance of survival. They won't top any fair play leagues, mind.
5. Tom Huddlestone to Hull
After spurning several opportunities to leave Spurs over the past three years, it was strange to see Huddlestone turn up at relegation candidates Hull earlier in the summer. The move to the KC Stadium was surely not what Huddlestone had been holding out for, but alongside fellow new signing Jake Livermore, the 26-year-old has immediately provided more backbone in Steve Bruce's midfield. The duo's composed performances against Norwich were instrumental in Hull holding on to their 1-0 lead after Yannick Sagbo's dismissal for a head-butt and much of the Tigers' survival hopes will be pinned on Huddlestone maintaining his early form.
4. Erik Lamela to Tottenham
The first time I saw Lamela play was at the Under-20 World Cup in 2011. Although a precocious talent with superb technical ability, the then River Plate forward was often betrayed by his decision-making as he strived to make a name for himself. A move to Roma followed and just two years later Lamela finds himself at Spurs on the back of his most impressive season to date. Now a much savvier forward, the 21-year-old grabbed 15 goals and five assists in Serie A last year and he should prove to be the pick of Spurs' signings. It's now up to him and fellow new arrival Christian Erisken to provide the service Roberto Soldado requires.
3. Mamadou Sakho to Liverpool
Kolo Toure's first two Premier League appearances for Liverpool prove that he was worth taking a punt on as a free transfer, but Sakho's arrival says a great deal more about the club's long-term philosophy. Make no mistake, for £12million Sakho is a statement signing that shows Liverpool are serious in their quest to build a squad worthy of the top four. The former PSG captain provides fierce competition for Daniel Agger on the left side of Brendan Rodgers' defence and he will expect to play a big part after taking a step down from the Ligue 1 champions. With Victor Moses also joining on a season-long loan, the Reds wrapped up some impressive business on deadline day as they look to maintain their brilliant start to the campaign.
2. Romelu Lukaku To Everton
When I wrote that Everton were struggling for firepower in Winners and Losers, I didn't expect the Toffees to go out and sign a striker of Lukaku's quality on Monday. The Toffees had a brilliant deadline day and a solid window overall with Lukaku the pick of several quality additions. West Brom will be gutted that they missed out on bringing the Belgian back to the Hawthorns after his 17 Premier League goals last season and it's a surprise that Chelsea have allowed him to leave when they are so short of convincing options in the centre-forward role. The Blues' loss is Everton's gain and following two matches without a goal, Roberto Martinez now has the striker he requires to fire the Toffees up the table.
1. Mesut Ozil to Arsenal
"What excites Arsène isn't necessarily what excites you," was Ivan Gazidis' warning back in June when he spoke of an escalation in financial firepower. While that may be true of free transfer signings Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini, the £42.4m deal for Mesut Ozil is a massive coup for both Arsenal and the Premier League. There is surely not a fan in the country who isn't looking forward to watching him play for the Gunners. There is a case that Arsenal haven't strengthened the right areas or as much as they needed to, but when a player of Ozil's talent becomes available it's hardly irresponsible to focus all your efforts on securing that one blockbuster deal. The 24-year-old has already provided an enormous boost to the club, with Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla tweeting their excitement and Wenger, who Ozil has emphasised was a key part of his decision, vindicated for not throwing his budget at the first big name that became available. Ozil provided 67 assists during his three years at Real Madrid and played a crucial role in the club's recent success, with fans chanting "Don't sell Ozil" at Gareth Bale's unveiling on Monday. This will surely be a deal that Florentino Perez lives to regret, but for Arsenal it could prove a game-changer.
Although Eto'o featured in the Top Ten Underwhelming Signings, it's difficult to argue that the striker isn't a bargain on a free transfer. A move for Wayne Rooney would have generated much more of a buzz at Stamford Bridge, but Jose Mourinho's faith in Eto'o suggests the forward may have enough left in the tank to lead the line this season. The 32-year-old is no longer at the peak of his powers but, with Chelsea's many and various attacking midfielders providing support, he could prove to be a shrewd stop-gap signing before a renewed move for Rooney next summer. Let's hope he's here for one last hurrah rather than an overstayed welcome at the top level.
9. Sascha Riether to Fulham
This may be the most boring suggestion imaginable, but Fulham's decision to make Sascha Riether's loan move permanent is one of the more sensible deals in a summer of splurging. Martin Jol has had to make the most of a limited budget and a £1million move for last year's Mr Dependable is money well spent. Indeed, there was talk of Schalke offering Fulham double their outlay for Riether just two weeks later. The 30-year-old will do little to lower the Cottagers' alarming average age, but he is one of the Premier League's unsung heroes and can be relied upon for another season of consistency.
8. Jonathan de Guzman to Swansea
After De Guzman helped Swansea to the League Cup and ninth place in the Premier League last season, agreeing another deal for the Dutchman was high on Michael Laudrup's list of priorities. At first it was reported that Villarreal were demanding £8million for the 25-year-old, who picked up his first international cap last season, but eventually another season-long loan was struck. Considering how important he has proved to Swansea's style of play, De Guzman could be an even more crucial signing than the club's £12million acquisition of Wilfried Bony.
7. Nathan Redmond to Norwich
Although not as exciting as the capture of Dutch duo Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Leroy Fer, Redmond's arrival from Birmingham could turn out to be Norwich's best bit of business in a busy summer. The Canaries paid just £3.5million for the England Under-21 star and he has already chipped in with the winning goal in the club's first victory of the season against Southampton. Redmond adds zip and incision to a Norwich side that were often quite ponderous in Anthony Pilkington's absence last season and he has completed the highest number of dribbles in the Premier League so far. It's a no-lose deal for Norwich and should Redmond continue to show promise, they can expect his sell-on value to soar over the course of the season.
6. Gary Medel and Steven Caulker to Cardiff
As Daniel Storey wrote here, defence is often a manager's blind spot when it comes to strengthening for a survival bid, but Cardiff have reinforced the spine of their team with two quality recruits. Paying £8million for an England international defender is a particularly shrewd piece of business and whatever happens to the Bluebirds this season, they will still be able to recoup their outlay on Caulker. Medel was more expensive at around £11million, but I'm a huge fan of the Chilean after watching him marshal the midfield for the national team and Sevilla. If Malky Mackay can keep Medel fit and focused Cardiff stand every chance of survival. They won't top any fair play leagues, mind.
5. Tom Huddlestone to Hull
After spurning several opportunities to leave Spurs over the past three years, it was strange to see Huddlestone turn up at relegation candidates Hull earlier in the summer. The move to the KC Stadium was surely not what Huddlestone had been holding out for, but alongside fellow new signing Jake Livermore, the 26-year-old has immediately provided more backbone in Steve Bruce's midfield. The duo's composed performances against Norwich were instrumental in Hull holding on to their 1-0 lead after Yannick Sagbo's dismissal for a head-butt and much of the Tigers' survival hopes will be pinned on Huddlestone maintaining his early form.
4. Erik Lamela to Tottenham
The first time I saw Lamela play was at the Under-20 World Cup in 2011. Although a precocious talent with superb technical ability, the then River Plate forward was often betrayed by his decision-making as he strived to make a name for himself. A move to Roma followed and just two years later Lamela finds himself at Spurs on the back of his most impressive season to date. Now a much savvier forward, the 21-year-old grabbed 15 goals and five assists in Serie A last year and he should prove to be the pick of Spurs' signings. It's now up to him and fellow new arrival Christian Erisken to provide the service Roberto Soldado requires.
3. Mamadou Sakho to Liverpool
Kolo Toure's first two Premier League appearances for Liverpool prove that he was worth taking a punt on as a free transfer, but Sakho's arrival says a great deal more about the club's long-term philosophy. Make no mistake, for £12million Sakho is a statement signing that shows Liverpool are serious in their quest to build a squad worthy of the top four. The former PSG captain provides fierce competition for Daniel Agger on the left side of Brendan Rodgers' defence and he will expect to play a big part after taking a step down from the Ligue 1 champions. With Victor Moses also joining on a season-long loan, the Reds wrapped up some impressive business on deadline day as they look to maintain their brilliant start to the campaign.
2. Romelu Lukaku To Everton
When I wrote that Everton were struggling for firepower in Winners and Losers, I didn't expect the Toffees to go out and sign a striker of Lukaku's quality on Monday. The Toffees had a brilliant deadline day and a solid window overall with Lukaku the pick of several quality additions. West Brom will be gutted that they missed out on bringing the Belgian back to the Hawthorns after his 17 Premier League goals last season and it's a surprise that Chelsea have allowed him to leave when they are so short of convincing options in the centre-forward role. The Blues' loss is Everton's gain and following two matches without a goal, Roberto Martinez now has the striker he requires to fire the Toffees up the table.
1. Mesut Ozil to Arsenal
"What excites Arsène isn't necessarily what excites you," was Ivan Gazidis' warning back in June when he spoke of an escalation in financial firepower. While that may be true of free transfer signings Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini, the £42.4m deal for Mesut Ozil is a massive coup for both Arsenal and the Premier League. There is surely not a fan in the country who isn't looking forward to watching him play for the Gunners. There is a case that Arsenal haven't strengthened the right areas or as much as they needed to, but when a player of Ozil's talent becomes available it's hardly irresponsible to focus all your efforts on securing that one blockbuster deal. The 24-year-old has already provided an enormous boost to the club, with Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla tweeting their excitement and Wenger, who Ozil has emphasised was a key part of his decision, vindicated for not throwing his budget at the first big name that became available. Ozil provided 67 assists during his three years at Real Madrid and played a crucial role in the club's recent success, with fans chanting "Don't sell Ozil" at Gareth Bale's unveiling on Monday. This will surely be a deal that Florentino Perez lives to regret, but for Arsenal it could prove a game-changer.
http://www.football365.com/faves/8904157/F365-s-Top-Ten-Summer-Signings...
I'm surprised that us finally adding a midfielder fails to get a mention over the likes of Huddlestone or Riether. Reckon Fellaini will give us a solid base in midfield which will give our creative players more freedom. Something which we have lacked in recent years. Think Erikson should have also been there. Mine would be, not in any particular order after the first one:
Ozil
Lamela
Erikson
Fellaini
Wanyama
Lukaku
Jovetic
Sakho
Negredo
Soldado
fecking Ashley Young. Pick our most bog standard player and compare him to Fellaini. Okay we will just wait and see shall we?