Top 10 Transfers Throughout Europe this Season
They add spark to a team and are a breath of fresh air. Fans are excited and the entire club believes that this is their year.
New signings often have an extremely positive effect on the club and the performances of the team. Signings are extremely important as they ensure that the club does not stagnate. Some are expensive, some come at throwaway prices and some are free, but the end result is that they add an extra dimension to the side and influence the team in a positive way.
A good signing is a always a pat on the back for the coach and entire scouting department.
Here is a list of 10 transfers who have dazzled and entertained in a short span of time.
Honourable Mentions
1 of 11
Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow to West Bromwich Albion)
Marco Boriello (A.C.Milan to Roma)
Alberto Aquilani (Liverpool to Juventus)
Joe Cole (Chelsea to Liverpool)
Edinson Cavani(Palermo to Napoli)
Asamoah Gyan(Rennes to Sunderland)
10: David Silva
2 of 11
Valencia to Manchester City
Many of Manchester City's new signings have struggled in the league this season, but David Silva has been tremendous in the season so far. He has provided City with some real quality down the wings and has been in scintillating form.
After getting off to a rather slow start, Silva is finally finding his feet in the Premier League and has been enthralling fans with some brilliant displays. Silva has managed to find the net thrice this season already, including an absolute stunner against Blackpool. Combining that with his five assists makes him a good buy for Mancini's side, and there is surely more to come from this exciting, pacy and entertaining winger.
9: Milos Krasic
3 of 11
CSKA Moscow to Juventus
Signed by Juventus for 15 million euros, Krasic has been instrumental in the Juventus midfield along with fellow summer acquisition Alberto Aquilani. Krasic's powerful dribbling technique and speed have helped him create numerous chances for his teammates. He is proving to be a real danger and revelation this season.
Playing some majestic football, Krasic helps his teammates find the net fairly often and scored a superb hat-trick against Cagliari. He is helping Juventus continue its revival and capture the glory of its previous years. If Krasic can continue his fine run of form, Juventus will be back in the UCL next year and will be challenging for the Serie A this season.
8: Javier Hernandez
4 of 11
Guadalajara to Manchester United
With Wayne Rooney struggling with form and fitness and Dimitar Berbatov unable to score since the game against Liverpool, Man Utd needed someone to step up to the mantle and take up the responsibility of scoring goals. That man is Javier Hernandez.
Displaying maturity that belies his age, Chicharito has scored six goals already and has won at least four games for Manchester United this season.
Despite his small stature, he seems to have no problem using his head if necessary, and has used his quick feet with aplomb. He has already been compared to United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and if recent performances are anything to go by, that is no exaggeration.
A great prospect, Hernandez is turning out to be another of Sir Alex's great buys.
7: Ricardo Carvalho
5 of 11
Chelsea to Real Madrid
The main reason for Real falling short of the league crown last season was their leaky defense. Another of Jose Mourinho's summer recruits, the Portuguese centre back has added some much-needed stability at the back for Real Madrid.
Mourinho knew that if Real were to win the title this year, they would need a watertight defense. The signing of the experienced defender from Chelsea have ensured that Real Madrid are solid at the back.
Carvalho added some much-needed leadership and organisation to the Real Madrid and is one of the main reasons behind Real conceding only five goals this season. He has also managed to find the net twice this season.
His superb technique and experience will prove to be vital and essential for Real Madrid if they are to lift the Spanish league and, more importantly, the Champions League.
6: Marouane Chamakh
6 of 11
Bordeaux to Arsenal
One major source of concern from last season for Arsenal was the lack of a plan B. But with the signing of Chamakh, Arsenal can finally adopt a different strategy when approaching games.
Widely considered to be one of the best headers of the ball, Chamakh is an aggressive player who relishes the physical aspect of the game.
His fantastic work rate and tireless movement off the ball mean that he is easily able to adapt to the Arsenal style of the game, and is capable of bringing his teammates into the game by holding up the ball extremely well.
The signing of Chamakh has added a dimension to the Arsenal side, and this is the first time in several seasons that Arsenal have a solid backup plan if their passing style of play fails.
Chamakh traditionally nets around 15 goals a season, but this season he has already managed to find the net eight times. Another key factor that makes him so indispensable to the Arsenal side is that he is injury-resistant, meaning he is almost always available for selection.
A firing Chamakh can help Arsenal finally end their goal drought and lift some silverware.
5: David Villa
7 of 11
Valencia to Barcelona
Signed by Barcelona for 40 million euros from Valencia, Villa has continued where he left off with Valencia. Villa has already been successful in finding the net eight times this season and continues to prove why he is considered one of the best strikers at the moment.
Scoring some great goals, Villa is proving to be a phenomenon. He would be placed higher in this list had it not been for his goal drought in which he struggled to find the net in close to a month.
Villa has been able to put this behind him, and is once again back at what he does best—scoring goals. But his main contribution has been in relieving Messi of all the goal-scoring duties. At times last season, one could get the feeling that Barcelona were dependent on Messi to score goals, but the signing of Villa has gone great lengths in removing the goal-scoring burden from Messi's back.
If Villa continues his rich vein form, it will be good news for all Barcelona fans.
4: Mesut Ozil
8 of 11
Werder Bremen to Real Madrid
One of the heroes of Germany's World Cup, Ozil has carried his rich vein of form into the season with Real Madrid. Signed from Werder Bremen for close to 15 million euros, Ozil has dazzled spectators with his technique and ball control.
Mourinho knew that if his team were to compete for trophies, they would desperately need a world-class playmaker, and the signing of Ozil has ensured that.
Playing in the attacking midfield role, Ozil has slotted seamlessly into this Real Madrid side. He has been instrumental in organising attacks from the Madrid midfield and is establishing himself as one of the world's best midfielders. Ozil has brought finesse and improvisation to the team with his vision and movement.
Ozil has already notched up an impressive four goals and six assists from 15 outings, and has created numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
Ozil will have to continue his impressive form if Mourinho and Real Madrid are to dethrone Barcelona. If the initial signs are anything to go by, we can expect great things from the German.
3: Angel Di Maria
9 of 11
Benfica to Real Madrid
Throughout last season, it was evident that Real Madrid lacked the quality down the flanks and needed someone who would put in the balls and attack from the sides—that is exactly what Angel Di Maria is offering this Real Madrid side.
Another of Mourinho's summer signings, Di Maria is proving to be worth every penny of his 25 million euro transfer fee.
Pacy, dynamic and elegant, Di Maria has added another dimension to Real Madrid's attack and is quickly establishing his presence as one of the world's best wingers. Scoring four goals this season, Di Maria has had an extremely positive impact on the team, whether starting or coming on as a substitute.
Di Maria's pace and quality are a great trick to have up your sleeve when the going is tough. Throughout the season, he has shown that he possesses the quality to turn the game around and have a positive effect on its flow. After coming on as a substitute against Auxerre, Di Maria went on to score a goal and showed his game-changing quality as Madrid were a different team after his introduction
2: Zlatan Ibrahimovich
10 of 11
Barcelona to A.C. Milan
A disappointing 9-10 season, his deteriorating relationship with coach Pep Guardiola and the signing of David Villa meant fewer opportunities for the big Swedish striker, so he orchestrated a move to Italian giants A.C. Milan on a loan deal. Milan were in desperate need of a quality player who could bring some spark and life into a squad that was ageing, which was essential if they were to challenge for the Scudetto.
Ibrahimovich has been truly inspirational for his teammates. His tireless running for his team has gone a long way to dispel the notion that he is a selfish player; rather, he has proven to be a team player.
Ibracadabra has already managed nine goals this season, including a goal over former club and eternal rivals Inter. Adding another five assists to his contributions this season make him an integral part of this Milan side.
Establishing himself as an indispensable member of the team has helped him resurrect his reputation as one of the world's deadliest strikers.
Milan have the option of making his deal permanent next year and, if he continues his scintillating run of form, they would do it gladly.
1: Rafael Van Der Vaart
11 of 11
Real Madrid to Tottenham
After qualifying for the UCL for the first time in their history, Tottenham needed a world-class player, a person with experience at the top level if they were to qualify for the UCL once again and progress deep into the Champions League.
That's exactly what Van Der Vaart offers Tottenham.
The right mix of experience, quality and flair make him a great player to have in your team. And if that signing comes at a throwaway price of eight million euros, it is all the more remarkable.
In his short stay in the Premier League, Van Der Vaart has already managed to find the net nine times and has inspired Spurs to victory on many occasions. He was considered surplus to requirements at Real Madrid; however, after seeing his performances, Madrid should be regretting their decision to sell the gifted playmaker.
Van Der Vaart has proven that he is in the class of the likes of Fabregas, Lampard and Gerrard. Redknapp may or may not be a wheeler and dealer, but he sure can negotiate.
If Van Der Vaart can continue playing like this, Tottenham can easily match their heroics from last season.
