Tottenham’s Berbatov - Summer Signing of the Year?
An article evaluating the summer signings sparked much discussion a few months ago. I would now like to open the floor to see who should be dubbed the Signing of the Year.
Here are some candidates, feel free to nominate others, however I think my mind is already made up. Evaluation is based on performance, impact on the squad, how the club has fared this season in all competitions, and long-term potential for the team.
Stats are taken from ESPN Soccernet
THE NOMINEES:
Dimitar Berbatov: 26, Forward, Tottenham. Signed for 10.9m pounds
Premiership: 8 goals, 8 assists,
FA Cup: 3 goals, 1 assist,
Carling Cup: 1 assist,
UEFA Cup: 5 goals, 1 assist
To become a virtual automatic pick on a team that has 4 reasonably good strikers is no easy task. To do so while becoming a consistent scoring threat in whichever competition he plays (92 shots, 57 on goal in 32 games) is even more impressive.
Dimitar started a little slow, and had a bit of a goal drought in late December/early January, but has steadily progressed, and especially turned it on recently (5 goals in the last 6 appearances). He and Keane seem to be working well together, which bodes well for Tottenham if they can keep Keane.
While he stays out of trouble (one yellow card all season), he does pick up a minor injury here and there. Tottenham are still in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup, and within striking distance of the 5 or 6 spot in the Premiership. If Berbatov stays healthy I see him leading the Tottenham charge for years to come.
Obafemi Martins: “22,� Forward, Newcastle. Signed for 10.1m pounds
Premiership: 10 goals, 4 assists
FA Cup: 1 assist
UEFA Cup: 6 goals
Martins did not have as much competition as Berbatov, but has produced similar results. He stepped up big for Newcastle who, without Michael Owen lack a striker who is a real scoring threat (Martins has 91 shots, 47 on goal in 37 appearances).
Newcastle has struggled in the Premiership, Carling Cup, and FA Cup, but I doubt they would still be in the UEFA Cup without Martins. It remains to be seen how he pairs with Owen when he returns, but he has a lot of football ahead of him, and the outlook is certainly promising.
Tim Howard: 27, Goalkeeper, Everton. Signed on loan, made permanent for an undisclosed amount (Editor: 3m pounds).
Premiership: 28 games, 12 clean sheets, 23 goals against, 159 saves, 1 penalty save
Carling Cup: 1 game, 1 goal against, 4 saves
FA Cup: 1 game, 4 goals against, 4 saves
While his teammate Andrew Johnson may have been the early frontrunner for this award, (5 goals in his first 5 games), Howard has been a rock between the posts all year. While neither he, nor Everton performed well in the Cup competitions, Everton sit 6th in the Premiership, and have conceded only 26 goals all year, largely due to Howard’s presence.
Everton lost the only Premiership game he didn’t play 3-0 to Manchester United. His 12 clean sheets are second only to Jose Reina, and against Arsenal he had 12 saves in a marvelous performance that ended in a 1-1 draw. Tim should be a stalwart at Everton for years, and is pushing to win back his starting job for the United States.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Benedict McCarthy, Jonathan Woodgate, Nicholas Anelka, David James, Nwankwo Kanu, Andrew Johnson
You will notice that no players from the Big 4 are on this list. Nemanja Vidic would have been, but he was a January transfer. This is mainly because the impact these players have had for their clubs has been so obvious, and partially because none of the signings for the Big 4 were revolutionary to their teams. Players like Michael Carrick, Ashley Cole, Dirk Kuyt, Thomas Rosicky, etc. have all contributed, and some may eventually become more important to their club than those nominated here, but they did not have the same immediate, noticeable impact that they can single-handedly claim.
My vote goes to Dimitar Berbatov for his contribution in all competitions, ability to be a team player, and the fact that Tottenham still are still in the running for the FA Cup, UEFA Cup, and a top 6 berth in the Premiership.
All the latest football headlines.
I concur
Berbatov has to take it. Absolutely brilliant player who no doubt had yet more to offer.
McCarthy deserves more than just a mention - He has been excellent for Blackburn after years of being linked with english clubs. They have a reasonable shot at silverware in the FA Cup - and they have avoided the slide down the league that many predicted at the start of this season, in part thanks to him.
I’d say that Carrick and McCarthy deserve look ins in this list, so does Kuyt.
Berba is brilliant though
Berbatov is absolutely superb and probably takes it but MacCarthy does deserve a little more then an honerable simply for the fact he’s scored more then any one else in the list
Rebrov who?
Berby all the way - you can’t have carrick surely Ahmed, unless it’s for sale of the season. Shouldn’t this be judged on results vs money paid?
Toby - Carrick’s impact at United is very under-rated. Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo and Vidic have had visible impacts, but Carrick’s work goes unnoticed because his job is unglorious - he intercepts, doesn’t allow for easy passes through to the strikers, quickly passes the ball back to front, and sensibly hangs back when Scholes and co are rushing up field.
Not a ‘great’ signing but from the slew of all the signings last summer, he should definitely have his name in the hat.
I’m a man utd fan and i really think we shouldve gone for berbatov in the summer, he would’ve been perfect and way cheaper than torres but would’ve done the same job, excellent player and should definately get the summer signing of the summer
Ahmed - I think Berbatov shades it over Martins.
Both have been excellent buys for their clubs.
Berbatov has been outstanding for Tottenham and is a great hold-up player….who can also put the ball in the net….and he seems very consistent - always in the game.
Some of his performances have been demonstrations on how to lead the line….and he can take the physical knocks too.
Expect Obefemi Martins to score a lot more goals next season - once he has acclimitized himself……he is a more natural goalscorer than Berbatov - but doesn’t lead the line nearly as well….and doesn’t have the height either.
McCarthy of Blackburn has done very very well this season and Aston Villa’s John Carew looks outstanding….he was unbelievable against Newcastle.
Bravo na tozi bylgarski futbolist. Toi slavi Bylgariq po celiq svqt i za men toi e nai-dobriqt napadatel v sveta.
Berbatov and Benni would both top it for me.
Regarding Carrick, I believe he was a brilliant signing, but, I have a suspicion that he might cause a bit of an imbalance in the team when ManU signs a new midfielder. IMO he seems to place somewhat of a limitation on the type of midfielder SAF could get next season because, the new man will have to accomodate Carrick. SAF will not show himself to have made such an expensive mistake. Therefore I think we can effectively rule out an offensive midfielder - like Kaka for instance - for the next couple of years arriving at OT.
commenting late,berbatov has now 19 in all comps plus a couple
more assists-summer signing of the year? YES spurs best signing
for 15 years most definately
Berbatov is not only the summer signing of the year, he is the best player in the Premiership this season!
Forza BERBA!!!!
Wonderful for Tottenham but for all those who tout him for Manchester I fear he’ll just limit the midfield’s goals because of his weak link up play. A bit too selfish I would think
I think Berbatov is overated
The goals he has scored havent been that spectacular , they were straight forward tap-ins which could have been finished of by any one( even Rio Ferdinand, who I must hate being a reds supporter.
Martin should be the one for me, as he shows a great trend between technique and POWER!!
( A Classic Forward ) 