Raul, Toure or Villa? The Top 10 Buys in the Summer Transfer Window
The summer of 2010 was characterized by the flurry of activity in the transfer window.
Amidst all the rumors and the drama, some players left their clubs for financial reasons, others for personal issues and some for ambition. Some left for obscene sums of money and much publicity, and other transfers went under the radar.
Now with the leagues on the Old Continent having reached their midway point, it's time to analyze which players were worth their big contracts, and which other players have been bargain buys for their clubs.
10. Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal)
1 of 10
It seems that every summer Arsenal are linked with another striker to make up for their woes up top.
Last season, Arsene Wenger's young side were in serious contention for the Premier League before main target man Robin Van Persie went down for five months with an ankle injury. And this summer, the London club finally got their man in Chamakh, whose playing style almost directly mirrors that of Van Persie, with his athletic presence, speed and ability to play as a target man.
His seven goals and three assists in the Premier League so far have kept Arsenal in the running for the Premier League title, and he represents a smart buy on the club's part, as he is young, and he arrived on a free transfer, allowing the club to divert funds to other parts of the team that need work.
9. Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
2 of 10
When Real Madrid shelled out €25 million on the young Argentine, many thought this was another example of Florentino Perez's madness.
Many thought Di Maria would be surplus to the requirements at a club already littered with attacking talent: Ronaldo, Higuain, Benzema, Kaka and others. To date, however, Di Maria has been worth every penny with his five goals and eight assists, keeping Madrid on Barcelona's tail in La Liga.
His ability to create chances for his teammates as well as finish oppurtunities has been integral in the club's progression out of a tricky Champions League group and into the latter stages of the Copa del Rey. His skill and ingenuity are often the only bright part of a sometimes dull Blancos offense.
8. Danny Welbeck (Sunderland)
3 of 10
At the beginning of the season, few outside of England had heard of Welbeck or his new club Sunderland.
But halfway through the season, Sunderland sits sixth in the league, only four points off the lucrative Champions League spot. Welbeck (along with other summer signings Asamoah Gyan and Ahmed El Muhamadi) has been critical to Sunderland's rise from relegation fodder to the brink of European qualification.
Welbeck's six goals and one assist (good for second on the team and ranking him ahead of world class names like Wayne Rooney and Mario Ballotelli), have also come virtually for free, as the young Englishman arrived from Manchester United on a loan, meaning Sunderland are only responsible for paying his wages. In addition, Welbeck's constant running and physical presence make him a nightmare for defenses to contain, creating many opportunities for his club teammates.
7. Raul (Schalke 04)
4 of 10
When the Real Madrid legend was basically forced out of the Bernabeu, many assumed the once prolific hitman's career was virtually over, and the relatively small fee Schalke paid for him demonstrated that.
However the 33-year-old's career has been rejuvenated in Germany, with his 10 goals and one assist, good for fourth in the Bundesliga and his two Champions League goals ensuring that Schalke successfully made it to the Round of 16. In addition, he has formed a prolific partnership with fellow summer signing Klaas-Jan Huntleaar creating havoc for defenses both in and out of Germany.
6. David Villa (Barcelona)
5 of 10
David Villa arrived at Barcelona with a reputation as a goal scorer, an expectation and an astronomical €40 million fee.
Despite gelling well with the team, Villa has looked uncharacteristically shaky in front of the goal, missing many opportunities in the box. In addition, his play has been overshadowed by that of teammates Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. Regardless, Villa has gotten off to a good enough start with the Catalans to merit a spot on this list.
His 14 goals have supplemented Barcelona's virtually flawless play this season, with the club first in La Liga, in the Round of 16 in the Champions League and in the final of the Copa del Rey; Villa's goals, willingness to run and vision have been a major part of that.
5. Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
6 of 10
When the Ivorian arrived at the Eastlands for a sum of £24 million, many eyebrows were raised; after all, the player had eventually fallen out of favor in Spain.
Surely there would be no room for him in City's star-studded lineup. Toure, however, has added steel to the Citizens' midfield, his physical imposing presence perfect for the athletic Premier League. In addition, Toure has added another dimension to his game this season—scoring goals. The four he has netted so far are good for third on the team and have ensured that City are on pace to accomplish their primary goal—qualification for the Champions League.
4. Ricardo Carvalho (Real Madrid)
7 of 10
Amidst Madrid's major summer signings this season—Ozil, Khedira, Di Maria, Canales—it was easy to overlook the €7.9 million Los Blancos paid for him. However the Portuguese center back has been one of the best deals of the summer.
He has added a veteran presence to a once shaky Madrid backline, and the nine clean sheets the team has recorded this year in La Liga are a testament to his leadership and defensive capabilities. He has also performed in the big occasions, when his teammates have often struggled, the exception of course being the debacle at Barcelona.
However, considering the relatively meager price Chelsea received for him, Perez and Co must be proud, especially with the team performing so well in the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
3. Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)
8 of 10
When Dortmund paid €350,000 for the young Japanese forward, no one took notice, especially considering the player had failed to even garner a spot on Japan's relatively mediocre World Cup squad.
Fast forward to today, Dortmund is in first place, with second a distant 11 points away. Kagawa has epitomized that mercurial rise to the top with his eight goals, two assists and overall dynamic play, making him arguably the Bundesliga player of the season thus far.
He has continued his fine play internationally as well, with his two goals for champions Japan at the Asian Cup of Nations an added bonus.
2. Rafael Van Der Vaart (Tottenham)
9 of 10
When Tottenham purchased the Dutch playmaker from Real Madrid, they knew they were getting an established veteran, albeit one who had experienced a fruitless past couple of years, with his exploits with Madrid and Holland falling just short.
Many doubted the Dutchman's ability to compete and the extremely fast paced and athletic English League. However, the once stagnant attacker has once again discovered his love for the game at White Hart Lane. Only injury has kept him out of the top spot, with his 10 goals and six assists in 17 games, keeping Tottenham afloat in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Most importantly however, has been his ability to link his teammates and create opportunities, transforming players like Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon into superstars.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan)
10 of 10
Despite a history of success with the Swedish National Team, and with clubs Juventus and Inter Milan, Ibrahimovic was labeled a bust after one average season with the Catalans.
His inability to score in the big games was criticized, as well as his lack of goals in the Champions League cited as one of the reasons for Barcelona's failure to win the much coveted trophy. This summer, Ibra headed back to Italy, not to former clubs Inter, but their fierce rivals AC Milan, where he has carried the team on his shoulders in the first half of the season. His numbers have been spectacular, with an eye popping 13 goals and 10 assists in only 20 games.
He has answered his doubters with his knack for scoring critical goals, with his presence pushing a once dormant Milan team to the top of the Serie A. He has also been prolific in the Champions League, with four goals and an assist in only six games.
