In a (Premier) League of their own: The top five signings of the season!
A top five list comprising of the signings of the season that includes just one player from the big four? I must be barmy right? But in all honesty there hasn’t been that many truly remarkable signings across the board during a Premier League campaign that has certainly been one of the best ever.
But even with the introduction of world class players to the Premier League mix, there were still a couple that deserve to be noticed for their ability to make an impact for their new club. Some made the switch from one Premier League club to another — while others made the jump from an entirely different league where the playing style was significantly different from that of the rough and tumble in England.
Although I’m not too hard pressed to come up with five and while you will be sure to contest them, here they are for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
5. Wilson Palacios
I’ve got nothing but praise for Palacios especially when you consider that he has been playing superbly well for Tottenham during a season in which his younger brother had been held in captivity before being brutally murdered. I don’t think I would have coped to be honest.
I ridicule anyone that calls this a sympathy vote because the Honduran has been a tremendous acquisition at White Hart Lane, protecting the back four and affording the likes of Modric and Lennon the freedom to probe forward.
The industrious former Wigan star has made that holding midfield berth his own at Spurs and at £14 million, Harry Redknapp will surely do a lot worse than that in the market.
4. Marouane Fellaini
The Belgian may deserve to be on this list purely for sporting such an impressive afro but Marouane Fellaini has proved there is so much more in his locker than just his excessively big hair.
It had seemed that David Moyes was taking something of a gamble when he made the decision to land this relatively unknown 20-year-old from Standard Liege for a club record £15 million.
Although fast-forward eight months and Fellaini’s signing appears a master stroke as his debut season with the Toffees has yielded an impressive eight league goals, relinquishing some of the pressure from a certain Australian in the process. A striking presence too (no I’m not referring to his barnet again), Fellaini has often more than capably helped cover in the centre forward position too.
3. Andrei Arshavin
He was being tracked by every manager and his dog (yes even Roy Keane was probably interested) after his successful campaign at that tournament that England failed to qualify for. I forget the name now. Fortunately for Arsenal fans, their trusty French leader realised the former Zenit man’s potential and eventually stumped up the £15 million odd required in January.
Arshavin has revitalised the Gunners since moving to the Emirates and we can only begin to ponder how different their season may have been had he signed during the summer months.
They say the Premier League and English football can be the toughest environment for a foreign import to adapt to. Well obviously no-one told Arshavin as made a mockery of that statement with his six goals and ten assists in just eleven domestic matches.
2. Abdoulaye Faye
You’ll no doubt look at this selection with an element of surprise and I’m sure many quarters would be pushing for another Stoke player to make the list. One James Beattie ofcourse.
And yes while Beattie has clearly been a huge catalyst in propelling Stoke up the table since January, the contributions of Abdoulaye Faye from the off have arguably been of much greater significance.
Having started all but two league games this season the Senegalese international has been a commanding presence at the back for City in easing any pre-Premier League relegation fears. He was recently voted the club’s Player of the Year by supporters and his team-mates and he has also aptly stood in and captained the side on many occasions. Not bad for a debut season eh.
1. Mark Schwarzer
In all fairness, this Aussi stopper was probably gearing up for a season of fighting against relegation when he first opted to join Roy Hodgon’s revolution at Craven Cottage.
Yet after a terrific season by all standards and estimations, Fulham have found themselves flirting with the European places and Schwarzer has undoubtedly played a massive part.
Often unbeatable between the sticks this season, the former Middlesbrough goalkeeper can proudly state that he has started every game in the league for the Cottagers, with Fulham conceding less than anyone else outside of the top three (even Arsenal). Take a bow Mr Schwarzer as you are my undisputed (well we’ll see!) Premier League signing of the season.
Topics: English Premier League, Lists
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Good article. This will probably surprise you, but I actually agree with you!! Especially with your number one choice, as a proud aussie, I agree that Schwarzer really has stepped up this year and gone from a good goalkeeper, to a potentially great one. He’s got a few years left yet as well, considering keepers retire late.There have been other good signings, just not really ground breaking great ones.
May 21st, 2009 @ 17:26i’m a man u fan and i have to admit arshavin is the signing of the decade so far! 4 amazing goals against liverpool! what else can i say? he has paid for himself already!
May 21st, 2009 @ 17:30I agree with schwarzer…but not with faye.I think beatie should be there.
May 21st, 2009 @ 18:46signing of the decade? please, let’s not get carried away here…
May 22nd, 2009 @ 01:37Signing of the decade!? Let’s hold on a bit before we judge that.
If he hadn’t scored the 4 at Anfield against a clearly intoxicated Liverpool defence would we even be talking about him here?
Not convinced yet!
May 22nd, 2009 @ 07:15I think José Bosingwa should be in the list.
May 22nd, 2009 @ 09:06He addapted to the Premier League in very few games.
where is Luka Modric, he saved spurs from relegation after he get on with the team and he leads them to europe, and arshavin can’t be 3rd signing of the season, I haven’t noticed him after l’pool game
May 22nd, 2009 @ 19:36i think arshavin was a really good signing for arsenal. he showed a lot of attacking abilities at the latter stages of the season. i guess next year we’ll see more goals for him in a full season. i’m a man u fan and i think we would see next season why we sign berbatov. go united.
May 23rd, 2009 @ 03:27i think sagna should be there as well, he has quickly adapted to the premierleague. Also james beatie should be there, his goals are what kept stoke up this season
May 23rd, 2009 @ 09:09“after his successful campaign at that tournament that England failed to qualify for. I forget the name now.”
what the fuck has that got to do with anything?
May 23rd, 2009 @ 10:07@Golden Gunner: Sagna? Signed this season?? Hmmm…
May 23rd, 2009 @ 11:47For anyone doubting Arshavin, Did you miss the part about 10 assists and 6 goals in 11 games? Or the fact that we were headed for the uefa cup before he came. Maybe you haven’t noticed him after the Liverpool game because Arsenal have been in the Champions League or he’s been injured. I like the list but think one person who has done really well is Albert Reira. He may not be as talented as Gerrard or Torres but he has stepped in and made Liverpool a much better teamby his presence alone.
May 23rd, 2009 @ 12:34Fellaini is a bold call, I am still not convinced by him. Iconic? yes. class? Not for me. Cost a lot of money and has scored a few goals but overall performances i don’t think have been excellent.
Beattie was a superb signing by Stoke. I predict he might struggle a bit (like Stoke perhaps) in the second season as he was always something of a streaky player at Southampton, but he was a superb piece of business by Tony Pulis and played a massive part in keeping Stoke up.
Few others who I’d like to mention- Albert Riera of Liverpool, who was a bargain at around £5m & Finnan (who i was sad to see leave), good left sided players are tough to find and I think Riera has done really well for us this season, Bosingwa at Chelsea has had a fine season although it was hardly surprising, quality player at a big fee. Luka Modric has turned out to be an inspirational player for Spurs. The £30m spent on he and Palacios leaves them with a great midfield base for plenty of years to come (potentially). James Milner has had a good season at Villa, I thought he was overpriced but has played well, Friedel & L Young were also solid buys by Martin O’Neill, and finally, Lee Cattermole & Ben Watson at Wigan. Cattermole comes across as a bit of a thug but he adds a lot to Wigan’s midfield and has played a lot of games- Boro could have done with him this season. Watson I saw a lot of at Palace and I think he will go on to be a really good player for Steve Bruce, good passer and scores goals. I like him, despite his Prince Harry tendencies.
May 26th, 2009 @ 09:50The man to watch out for is the lattest signing by Inter Millan. Mc Donald Mariga. Kudo’s Jose Maurihno. Give him more chances to prove his worth while.
February 5th, 2010 @ 10:32G