Top 10 smartest transfers of the close season
After a summer of big spending, Kevin McCarra picks the new signings most likely to succeed in the Premier League
Wednesday August 8, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Eduardo da Silva, 24, Arsenal
£8m from Dinamo Zagreb
It would be as well not to speak of a fox in the box at Arsenal, where the memory of Francis Jeffers has not quite been expunged, but the Brazilian-born Croatia international should bring a sharpness that has been lacking. With no guarantee that Emmanuel Adebayor will become more dependable in front of goal, Arsène Wenger needed someone to help make up the deficit following the departure of Thierry Henry, who got 10 league goals even in his last season as a semi-invalid. Eduardo showed his prowess with that wrong-footing header when Croatia beat England.
Valeri Bojinov, 21, Manchester City
£5.75m from Fiorentina
Sven-Goran Eriksson may have been buying players he has never watched in the flesh, but City´s manager must know a great deal about Valeri Bojinov, who made his Serie A debut with Lecce at 15. There is often pain waiting for prodigies and last season was not comfortable for the Bulgarian. He went from Fiorentina to Juventus on loan, but opportunities were restricted because Alessandro del Piero stayed with the Turin side in Serie B. None the less, he should bring excitement to City. He has the strength to cope with the Premier League as he attacks from deep positions.
Younes Kaboul, 21, Tottenham Hotspur
£8m from Auxerre
Martin Jol could find himself reliant on a France Under-21 captain entering his debut season in England. Tottenham have toiled without Ledley King and he is again missing. A fragile team needs another imposing centre-half if it is to contend for a Champions League spot.
The prospect of Kaboul getting early chances at White Hart Lane is pleasing for many French observers who think he will be in contention for a role at Euro 2008 if the former Auxerre player gets enough Premier League experience. Spurs, paying £8m for him, have expressed their faith in the defender.
Nigel Reo-Coker, 23, Aston Villa
£8.5m from West Ham United
The strife at West Ham last season must have been a boon to Martin O´Neill, who saw the price of the Upton Park captain drop during a rancorous season in which Reo-Coker incurred the rancour of the fans. In the process, people ceased thinking of the midfielder as a prospective signing for the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal. Just over a year ago Reo-Coker was on stand-by for the World Cup before hurting his back. The pre-season form suggests that O´Neill has got a player who can solidify the midfield and also call up the energy to burst towards the attack occasionally.
Yossi Benayoun, 27, Liverpool
£5m from West Ham United
This ought to be the meeting of a footballer and a club who complement one another. The Israeli needs a team with the solidity which gives him the licence to express himself and Liverpool crave players whose flair will keep at bay the predictability that has hindered them on their Premier League off-days. Benayoun will scarcely be the first name on the team sheet, yet he may appear more often than has been expected. In addition to his playmaking from the flanks, he could feature behind a single striker in European away games.
Carlos Tevez, 23, Manchester United
Free from West Ham United
A charge of £10m just to borrow a footballer for two years would normally look extortionate. In the case of United and Tevez, though, the arrangement has the makings of a masterstroke. After all, it had appeared well-nigh impossible for the club to get someone who could sustain the slick excitement the team has attained. If others lack last season´s elan, Tevez ought to prosper at a club whose philosophy is perfect for him. Can the Argentinian and Wayne Rooney play in the same line-up? Opponents are all too afraid it will be a deadly combination.
Sylvain Distin, 29, Portsmouth
Free from Manchester City
Had Thaksin Shinawatra completed his takeover of City in time his funds would surely have been used to persuade the centre-back to stay. The defensive record was one of the few elements last season that gave City solace, as well as keeping them in the top flight. Harry Redknapp regards the signing of an outstanding centre-back on a Bosman as a coup, even if the personal terms will have given Portsmouth pause for thought. So long as Distin settles on the south coast, he will combine with Sol Campbell and David James to make the team much more resilient.
Phil Jagielka, 24, Everton
£4m from Sheffield United
Entering the top flight with Sheffield United, his former club failed the Premier League test, but Jagielka vindicated himself. His versatility peaked last December when he took over in goal from an injured Paddy Kenny and kept out Arsenal in a 1-0 win. He will be expecting to appear variously as right-back, centre-half and midfielder at Goodison, where David Moyes must regard the £4m fee as a bargain. Wherever he crops up, Jagielka will be an energetic and able contributor who brings out the best in the players around him.
Mark Viduka, 31, Newcastle United
Free from Middlesbrough
He gets accused, with some cause, of moodiness, but the Australia international striker has proved to have lasting value. With strength, skill and imagination at his disposal, pace is the one attribute that is lacking. While Viduka will soon be 32, there was no indication at Middlebrough that he is in decline.
Should Newcastle risk becoming a little too pragmatic under Sam Allardyce, it is most likely to be the flair of this forward that appeases the crowd. There will be a concern about the time needed for him to settle after a summer at the Asian Cup, but Viduka was a highly appealing Bosman signing.
Florent Malouda, 27, Chelsea
£13.5m from Lyon
He must be the archetypal Jose Mourinho signing, an impressive winger who has an unquenchable craving for hard work. They have had such a person at Stamford Bridge before, though he was not bought by the Portuguese. Mourinho´s early days at the Bridge were some his best and Damien Duff´s contribution was vital. The Irishman is gone now and few would depend on Arjen Robben´s fitness and state of mind, assuming he stays on the books. A winger of the character and quality revealed by Malouda in the Community Shield could be indispensable.
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