World Football Rankings: Best Transfers of the Summer XI

This summer has been eventful, to say the least. Top European Clubs have been looking to replenish their squads to take on their opposition in the 2011-12 season. European powerhouses now seek methods of stopping the current European and Spanish Champions, Barcelona and generally just to replenish their squads in key areas.

One of the key players this transfer window is Manchester City. Well-known for their substantial transfer budget and high-profile signings, City have remained relatively quiet this season( with the notable exception of signing Sergio Aguero for 39 million).Furthermore, their rivals Arsenal had a torrid season and desperately need replenishing. They have signed Carl Jenkinson from Charlton Athletic and Gervinho from Lille. It would be wise to watch out for more spending from the North London side as they try to strengthen their flimsy defence.  

After a great 2010-11 season, Barcelona seek to strengthen their side even more than before. They have signalled their intent by signing Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez from Serie A giants Udinese. European Cup finalists Manchester United seek to avenge their defeat to Barcelona and have already gone on something of a spending spree signing young British talents Phil Jones and Ashley Young, as well as a replacement for recently retired Dutch legend Edwin Van Der Sar (David De Gea).

The last major English spenders this summer has been Liverpool, Sunderland, Newcastle and Aston Villa. Liverpool's manager Kenny Dalglish has brought in British midfield talents Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing as well as Brazilian 'keeper Alexander Doni. Steve Bruce has brought starlet Connor Wickham, Seb Larsson, Manchester United Veterans John O'Shea and Wes Brown as well as Blackpool star David Vaughan to the Stadium of Light. Newcastle have invested very well , by buying French playmaker Yohan Cabaye  and his compatriot Sylvain Marvaeux as well as Demba Ba. Aston Villa have brought in Charles N'Zogbia and Shay Given.

Real Madrid can always be expected to spend, and spend they have. Jose Mourinho added Nuri Sahin, Hamit Altintop, Raphael Varane, Callejon and Fabio Contraeo to his ranks. Malaga have added Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Finally, we come to the Serie A, where spending has been interesting. Milan bought Mexes Taiwo and Marco Amelia. Lazio bought Klose,Marchetti, Cisse and Lorik Cana. Juvenus have brought in Quagliarella, Matri, Simone Pepe, Andrea Pirlo, Amauri, Lichsteiner, Vidal and Vucinic.

Let us take a look at the best transfers by position( A transfer XI) 

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

I hear the masses crying out for David De Gea. However, Neuer has almost single-handedly saved Schalke from relegation and has been a key figure in their run to the Champions League Semi- Final, where they lost to a far superior Manchester United side.

He has the most saves of any goalkeeper in the Champions League, as well as the best distribution rate, and the most intercepted crosses. Against Manchester United at home, Neuer put on a display of goalkeeping which moved Sir Alex Ferguson, prompting him to say:

“I think in my time at United this was the finest display of goalkeeping against us. I’m sure there were other feats – but tonight we saw a very good one.”

He is first choice for the German national team and has proven himself at the highest level, unlike De Gea.

Left-Back: Taye Taiwo (AC Milan)

Taye Taiwo has been tipped by many to be a future great. After moving from Olympique Marseille, he will seek to reach his potential at Milan, where he replaces aging full-back Gianluca Zambrotta. He is known for his dead ball ability and was a key player in the Marseille side which narrowly lost to eventual finalists Manchester United in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Taiwo should have enough first-team appearances to show off his tackling and crossing ability in a Milan side which often plays a narrow midfield. This should allow him to make the most of his substantial attacking prowess.

Honorable Mention: Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)

The Portuguese left back came to Madrid from Benfica, where he has had an excellent season. He came of age in the 2009-10 season, when he was named the breakthrough player of the year in the Portuguese League and had been Benfica's standout player last season getting, which included a brace against Lyon in the Champions League.

However, I doubt he will displace Marcelo in the Real Madrid side, who was arguably the best left-back in the world last year.

Centre-Backs: Phil Jones (Manchester United) and Wes Brown (Sunderland)

Phil Jones is chronically overrated in the British media and Ferguson has paid a hefty price for him. Jones is a good player and should flourish given enough first team opportunities. However, this would be unlikely if he played at centre-back, as Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are all better players than Jones at the current time. Jones did will in the European U-21 Championship, but was slightly outshone by his partner, Chris Smalling.

Wes Brown has experienced a downturn in his fortunes of late, being ignominiously dropped and slowly filtered out of the Manchester United first team, where Ferguson has decided to get rid of the "deadwood" by selling both Brown and fellow defender John O'Shea. Wes Brown went to Sunderland and will be looking to establish himself in a Premier League first team again.

Honorable mention: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) and Phillipe Mexes (AC Milan)

Raphael Varane was a great player for Lens last season. He has great tackling ability, and also provides a threatfrom set-pieces. Knowing Jose Mourinho's eye for talent, it is almost inevitable that this boy will become a star.

Phillipe Mexes is a great centre-back, but he is unlikely to displace the pair of Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva, one of the best defensive partnerships in the world.

Right-Back: Rafinha (Bayern Munich)

The Brazilian international Rafinha is a great right back with outstanding offensive ability. He had a great season last year at Genoa and now returns to Germany after spending five years with Schalke earlier in his career. Rafinha looks to be a positive signing for Bayern Munich as they attempt to win back the Bundesliga crown.

Honorable Mention: Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal)

The Anglo-Finn right-back has recently been bought from Charlton Athletic by Arsenal. During preseason, he has shown glimpses of his tackling crossing and and versatility, despite being forced to play on the left to accommodate Arsenal veteran Bacary Sagna.

He seems to have a cool head in defense, although his age will render him prone to mistakes. He should be immense for Arsenal next season.

Defensive Midfielder: Arturo Vidal (Juventus)

The Chilean was great for Bayer Leverkeusen in the 2010-11 season. He is a great passer of the ball, had the most touches in the Bundesliga, won 82 percent of his tackles, and is as good in the air as he is on the ground. Vidal has also proven himself to be a cool finisher from the penalty spot. He is one of the most versatile players in the world and should prove to be a great addition to the Juventus midfield.

Central Midfielder: Nuri Sahin (Real Madrid)

Borussia Dortmund's deep-lying playmaker was essential to their Bundesliga title win in 2010-11. He had one of the most successful passing statistics, only surpassed by Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona. After collecting his winner's medal in Germany, Sahin made a €10 million move to Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid.

Central Midfielder: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)

Lille's midfield general had some of the best passing and tackling statistics in Ligue 1, only surpassed by Yann M'Vila and Blaise Matiuidi. Cabaye will be a great addition to Newcastle's severely lacking midfield as Alan Pardew's side prepares for another season in the English top flight.

Right-Wing: Gervinho (Arsenal)

Gervinho got 15 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 last season for Lille. He plays as a winger, but often cuts inside and has a shot. He formed a highly effective strike force with Belgian youngster Eden Hazard and Senegalese striker Moussa Sow. He has impressed in pre-season friendlies for Arsenal and will do well there.

Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Sergio Aguero has been a great attacker for Atletico Madrid and featured heavily for Argentina during the 2011 Copa America. He formed a great strike partnership with Diego Forlan at Atletico, but has moved on to 2011 FA Cup winners Manchester City in search of silverware. Manchester City hope Aguero will be as successful as his compatriot Carlos Tevez was for the club during the 2010-11 season.

Left-Wing: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)

Alexis Sanchez is a great Chilean winger who should fit nicely into the already successful Barcelona team. He was great at the Copa America for Chile and featured in the team of the tournament. He was Udinese's player of the season in 2010-11, scoring 12 goals during Serie A play. His performances in Italy prompted Barcelona to pay €26 million for his services.