EPL Transfer Rumours: 10 Moves That Will Cause Power Shift in Premiership

The arrival of a new player is usually met with a sense of optimism and excitement from football fans, even if the transfer does not concern their own team!

As is the norm, this transfer window has been a hive of activity. Exorbitant fees have been paid, new signings have instantaneously become fan favourites and Sir Alex Ferguson has built yet another formidable Manchester United squad.

Sometimes, however, big-name signings can turn into grand disappointments. Simultaneously, a transfer that goes unnoticed can become an influential member of a club’s first team.

Also, the departures of players from one club can have an equally great impact on the squad’s finishing position.

This slideshow aims to take all of the above criteria into consideration.

This is my list of 10 Premier League transfers that will have an impact that resonates throughout the season, for better or for worse.

Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal to Barcelona

Arsene Wenger was his usual resilient self in a press conference yesterday despite selling his team’s best player.

“We have lost a world-class player, we are sad about it but this club is 125 years old this season, many big players have left the club but the club has gone on,” the Frenchman said.

Despite brushing off concerns about Arsenal’s championship credentials, Fabregas’ transfer to Barcelona has left a gaping hole in the Gunners' midfield. 

Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal as the best midfielder in the Premier League. No footballer has created more opportunities than him in the past five seasons of Premier League football and that service will go amiss.

Arsenal have gained infamy for their inability to convert an abundance of goal-scoring opportunities; without Fabregas there will be much fewer chances to squander. Van Persie will definitely need a striker up front to help bury the opportunities created by the weakened Gunners' midfield.

In Aaron Ramsey the football club has a replacement oozing with potential but it is yet to be fulfilled. This will be the first full season in which the Wales captain can expect to be a permanent fixture in the starting 11. A big question mark looms over his head on whether he is able to perform week in, week out like Fabregas has done consistently during his tenure at the football club.

Instead it seems that Arsenal’s main line of offense will come from the wing. In Gervinho, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arshavin the Gunners have some very capable wingers, but that means that many of Arsenal’s opportunities to score will come from the air.

At present Arsenal have no great aerial threat.

From set pieces Vermaelen is dangerous but Arsenal really needs a player like Peter Crouch or Andy Carroll; a tough, physical striker that is able to score with his head and feet. If there is no height in the Arsenal attack then a bountiful amount of opportunities could go begging. It is a shame that Bendtner has not fulfilled his potential.

Arsenal has begun the season crippled by the loss of their captain and the lack of his influence was easy to see. Aaron Ramsey put in a solid performance but not enough opportunities were created from the centre of midfield; instead, the wingers were forced to cut inside and dribble the ball around the box.

If a replacement is not found for Fabregas, Arsenal will not be as strong as they were last season. That does not mean to say that they will not qualify for the Champion’s League or win some silverware, but it does mean that achieving such goals has just got a little bit harder.

Ashley Young

Aston Villa to Manchester United

Ashley Young did not look like a debutant against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday as the 25-year-old winger put in a performance of seasoned quality.

The England footballer graced the left wing with an enthusiasm and determination that Manchester United fans have come to expect from their wingers in recent years.

He created a bountiful amount of opportunities and his tendency to drift into the centre of midfield saw him link up well with Wayne Rooney.

Indeed, it was this great understanding between Rooney and Young that led to the scoring of United’s first goal.

Ashley Young will tear holes in any Premier League defence and, unlike his time at Aston Villa, he will have strikers waiting in the middle of the box who are capable of converting his crosses into goals.

Wearing Manchester United colours seems to have greatly enthused the 25-year-old. He brings pace, width and goal scoring opportunities to the squad.

For all the positives that Manchester United will gain from this transfer, Aston Villa will suffer greatly without their talismanic winger.

Alongside Stewart Downing, the duo contained standout players in an otherwise decrepit Aston Villa team. Young’s transfer may help United stay at the summit of Premier League football, but Villa risk falling victim to a sudden, and fatal, descent.

Although Young is perhaps not the most talented footballer in this slideshow, the way he has already slotted into United’s team makes him the best piece of summer business so far this season.

Charlie Adam

Blackpool to Liverpool

In Charlie Adam Liverpool have secured the services of one of the finest passers in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old Scot slotted nicely into Liverpool’s four-man midfield against Sunderland and his inch-perfect cross set up Luis Suarez’s 12^th-minute goal.

Adam’s passing ability should become an invaluable asset to Liverpool, who have found themselves guilty of over relying on Steven Gerrard in recent seasons.

His well-weighted deliveries ought to complement Andy Carroll’s aerial ability and provide a challenge for all of the Premier League’s defences.

On top of his passing ability he is a feisty competitor off of the ball. Although at times a little aggressive, his physical presence in the midfield will offer something that Liverpool have been lacking since the sale of Xabi Alonso.

He also has a keen eye for goal and is a very capable set piece taker. He managed to score 12 goals last season whilst playing for Blackpool; it would be reasonable for Liverpool fans to expect a similar tally this season.

For £8 million Kenny Dalglish has secured the services of a player who could be instrumental for the Reds this season.

Stewart Downing

Aston Villa to Liverpool

Liverpool’s transfer targets may not be the most eye-catching players as individuals, but football is not an individual game.

Stewart Downing’s work rate was a little patchy during the early years of his career, but during his tenure at Aston Villa he blossomed into a fine team player and dangerous winger.

He has one of the best left feet in the Premier League and, although he may be lacking in half a yard of pace, he is capable of making surging runs on either wing.

Stewart Downing’s ability to play inch-perfect crosses will complement Andy Carroll’s aerial ability in much the same way Charlie Adam’s piercing balls from the half way line will.

Liverpool’s frontmen in general will all be blessed with service from the wing that is as consistent as it is efficient.

Carlos Tevez

Manchester City to ?

Although at present Carlos Tevez remains a Manchester City player, his desire to the leave is well documented. A transfer from the Etihad Stadium before September 1^st seems a distinct certainty.  

Last season the Argentine forward carried a Manchester City team that at times showed teething problems.

It is difficult to build an empire over the course of one season and were it not for the contributions of Carlos Tevez, City may not have qualified for Champion’s League football as convincingly as they did.

Tevez’s work rate is perhaps the best in world football and it hid the casualness displayed by some of City’s big-name players. With the exception of David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and Adam Johnson, few players have shown a commitment towards City’s cause.

Without the Argentine in the starting 11 these frailties could become costly for United’s “noisy neighbours.” One such example that comes to mind was City’s lacklustre 4-3 win against Wolves, when were it not for two goals by Tevez, City would have been humbled by the Premier League minnows. 

It is rare to find a striker who is able to come deep and collect the ball and also run into open space behind the opposition's back four. None of City’s other strikers are able to do both, meaning that Roberto Mancini will have to turn three strangers into strike partners instantaneously.

Without Tevez up front, new signing Sergio Agüero will have to fill a gaping hole in the City offense, while at the same time adjusting to Premier League football.

The pressure will be on Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli to find the back of the net much more regularly than they did last season. A return of 10 goals must be the minimum expectation from each player.

Sergio Agüero

Atletico Madrid to Manchester City

Despite Sergio Agüero’s hefty transfer fee, he has the potential to be the best signing of the summer transfer window.

His thirty minute debut against Swansea suggests that Diego Maradona’s son-in-law will be a nuisance for even the toughest of Premier League defenders.

Despite his small size, he is strong and a threatening dribbler on the ball. He has a dogged determination, a sublime finish and killer pass.

Off of the ball he is able to make piercing runs behind the backline of his opponents' defence, making it difficult to mark him, and usually beating the offside trap at the same time. Furthermore, he is willing to get back and assist his team in defence.

Moreover, he seems genuinely delighted to be playing for Manchester City and is enthusiastic to contribute towards the club’s cause.

Manchester City entered the transfer market needing players capable of creating goal-scoring opportunities because last season they were far too reliant on Carlos Tevez.

Sergio Aguero seems like one solution to last season’s creative woes.

Similarities can be drawn between his performance and that of David Silva. The two players may have only just met but they speak and play football in very much the same language.

The problem that Manchester City faces is going from being too reliant on Tevez, to being overly reliant on Aguero.

David Silva’s performances in the tail end of last season, and in the match against Swansea, suggest he is capable of preventing this from happening. One more signing, however, is needed to convince critics.

The only question marks that surrounded his arrival at the Etihad Stadium was whether he was a natural replacement for Carlos Tevez and how long would it take for him to become settled in the Premier League.

The answer to the latter of the questions is, not long; the answer to the former, a resounding yes.

It is easy to get carried away from a player's start and Aguero does need to build on his impressive performance. What it does show, however, is that all of the ingredients for success are there—let’s hope they don’t come out undercooked!

Charles N'Zogbia

Wigan Athletic to Aston Villa (N’Zogbia)

The sales of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, combined with the departure of Brad Friedel and appointment of Alex McLeish as manager, seemed to suggest that Aston Villa’s directors had hit the self-destruct button.

The arrival of Charles N’Zogbia should assure fans of the board’s sanity.

In his five years of playing Premier League football the 25-yearold has blossomed into a fine player. He has consistently outperformed his former employers in recent seasons.

Charles N’Zogbia will give Villa some much needed width after losing their two most important wingers. Prior to his arrival, the Villains looked to be a very one-dimensional, boring team. Having Stillian Petrov and Fabian Delph in the centre of midfield is not going to leave many teams trembling with fear.

N’Zogbia, alongside Albrighton, is the player in the Villa dressing room capable of providing a creative spark. He is able to charge down either wing with purpose and vigour before delivering teasing crosses. One can only hope that his efforts are not in vein because Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey do not have the best conversion rates in the league.

The Frenchman’s arrival will trigger some life into an otherwise lifeless team. It is difficult to anticipate where Villa will finish this season, but with N’Zogbia in the team fans can rest assured that it probably will not be in the bottom three.

Wes Brown

Manchester United to Sunderland

Steve Bruce has raided Manchester for several players this season, and rumours suggest that he is yet to completely take his eye off the city.

It will, however, be difficult for the Sunderland boss to make a better signing than Wes Brown, no matter what city he casts his observant gaze upon.

The former United and England centre back cost the Black Cats a measly £1 million.

Granted, his best days are soon to be past him, and he is rather injury-prone, but he is an experienced defender who seldom makes mistakes and is acclimatised to playing football at the highest of levels.

Brown’s experience and leadership qualities should inspire Sunderland’s back four to perform.

At times Anton Ferdinand, Michael Brown and Phil Bardsley can fall victim to complacency and conduct unnecessary acts of aggression. Above all, Brown’s presence should have a calming influence over Sunderland's back four. 

Wes Brown will not win the Black Cats points up front, but he will certainly make it difficult for his opponents to steal them from his team.

Michel Vorm

Utrecht to Swansea

In almost every situation, conceding four goals in your debut game is a nightmare for any goalkeeper. Michel Vorm, however, can hold his head high after making more saves than any other goalie in the Premier League season’s opening weekend.  

Little was known of the Dutch shot stopper prior to his arrival at the Liberty Stadium, but early signs suggest that his £1.5 million transfer fee was a shrewd purchase by Brendan Rodgers.

Interestingly, the ‘keeper already has some experience playing against Premier League opposition. In last season’s Europa League he kept two clean sheets against Liverpool whilst playing for FC Utrecht.

Vorm’s best attribute, based on his debut game, seems to be his ability to pull off reflex saves at the last minute. This was best highlighted by a brilliant save he made from David Silva’s free kick, which wrong-footed the keeper following a deflection and was heading to the back of the net with some velocity.  Vorm managed to redistribute his weight and pull off a fine, low, save.

Swansea City likes to play an attacking style of football, indeed it was their hallmark in their Championship campaign last season. In Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair the Swans have two attack minded wingers oozing with creativity and energy.

Against weak opposition they should not have a problem creating goal-scoring opportunities. Their biggest frailty, however, is their defence, which left Vorm far too exposed all too often.

If Swansea is to survive in the top flight, they will need to sort out their leaky defence. In the meantime, they can rest assured that they have a very capable shot stopped between the posts and he could save the Welsh team some precious points come the end of the season.

David De Gea

Atletico Madrid to Manchester United

The Spaniard already has a Europa League title, UEFA Super Cup medal and two youth European Championships to his name, at the tender of 20.

His trophy cabinet makes it easy to justify his £18 million transfer to United, but his early form has left a few question marks regarding his ability.

Is he good enough to be United’s first choice ‘keeper?

Is it too much pressure, too soon?

Does he have the head to handle the pressure?

At the age of 20, no footballer is the finished package.

He has the luxury of playing for one of the best teams in world football. If he makes a mistake, which he has done in his first two games, the attacking department will, more often than not, bail him out.

There have been several miscommunications with his back four, but once he learns English, he will be able to command the box much better. He has shown at Atletico that he is capable of organising his defence.

His ball distribution is already world-class, and he is a good stopper from close distance. However, he is vulnerable to shots from range and that cut across him. This is something that the Spaniard will have to work on.

De Gea will make some mistakes this season, but it is likely that his team will be able to compensate for them. In years to come he has the makings to be a world-class goalkeeper.

So What Do You Think?

As always, I would love to hear from you:

Who, in your opinion, is the best signing to date?

Which of the names in this slideshow will have the best season?

Have I left anyone out?