With the January transfer window now at an end clubs will
hope their new additions will play an important role in their respective league
targets. Those aiming for a title or other silverware may only need a minor
improvement at this mid-point in the season, while at the other end of the table
some face perilous danger of the dreaded drop and quickly need to improve their
side.
With the vast amount of money involved in today’s game any
move is a gamble, some a lot more than others. In five months we will probably
discover whether the transfers of the past month have been a stroke of
brilliance or pricey disappointment.
Looking back at the
summer window here’s my top 10 of the players I think have made the biggest
impact in the Premier League the since their moves in August.
10. Mousa Dembélé Fulham to Tottenham £15 Million
The energetic midfielder has played a big part in the heart
of the Spurs midfield since his London switch from Fulham to Tottenham. In the
absence of Scott Parker at the start of the season the Belgium international
formed a successful partnership with fellow midfielder Sandro. Despite only
scoring one goal (on his debut against Norwich) Dembélé offers
creativity going forward along with seeing out his defensive duties.
9. Júlio César Inter Milan to
QPR
QPR’s wretched season could have been even worse if it
wasn’t for the Brazilian shot stopper. In 2009 he was voted the third best
keeper in the world, so his move from Italian giants Inter Milan to a much less
established premier league side came as something of a shock. His four clean
sheets this season haven’t been easy, playing with a side that for most part
have looked out of their depth. Despite his high wages he still provides
excellent cover between the sticks.
8. Eden Hazard Lille to Chelsea £32 Million
This signing was Roman Abramovich’s way of saying that
Chelsea can compete with the wealth and recent power of Manchester City.
Hazard’s decision to join the London club rather than the Premier league
champions was surely down to Chelsea’s champion league triumph last season. His
drive to go forward creating and scoring goals have made him a valuable asset for
the Blues, and despite his recent trouble with a ball boy (in my opinion he did
nothing wrong) Hazard, only 22, has the potential to be a world class
player. 
7. Steven
Pienaar Tottenham to Everton
£3.5 Million
After two years with little success at Tottenham, Pienaar
returned to Everton on a loan last January. An impressive spell and first team
football led to a permanent deal in the summer. The South African winger has
shown why Everton fans love him. This season his partnership with Leighton
Baines on Everton’s left flank have caused many problems for Premier league oppositions,
both players keen to drive forward and create opportunities .
6. Romelu Lukaku Chelsea to West Brom Loan
At only 19 Lukaku barely got a look in the Chelsea team
last season, after a £13 million move to Stanford Bridge in 2011. However
following a loan move to the Hawthorns Lukaku has helped West Brom to a
successful start, steering well clear of the drop zone. The Belgium striker has
netted 9 goals in 21 games for the Baggies due to his pace, power and desire to
score goals. A great deal for West Brom.
5. Santi Cazola Malaga to Arsenal £15
Million
When Robin
Van Persie left to join rivals Manchester United, it looked like Arsenal were
no longer a major force, a team who sold their best players. However the
signing of Cazola showed there was still ambition in the club, the Spanish
international is a perfect fit for Arsène
Wenger’s style of football. Along with Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta, Cazola
is part of one of the best midfields in the league their quick passing philosophy
is very easy on the eye but is it good enough to give Arsenal a top four finish?
4. Dimitar
Berbatov Manchester United
to Fulham £4 Million
Spending most of his time on the
Man United subs bench, it’s fair to say Berbatov’s talents were largely wasted
last season. But a subsequent to move to Fulham for the 32 year old Bulgarian he
has shown what a prolific goal scorer he still is. His work rate can be
questioned at times but Berbatov’s clinical finishing has made him Fulham’s
clear top scorer with 8 goals in the first half of season.
3. Christian Benteke Genk to Aston Villa £7
Million
At the start of the
season I tipped Villa to go down and if it wasn’t for Benteke I think they
would have been as good as gone by now. In a young side without much Premier league
experience Benteke has found the net 8 times in important situations. His
strength and ability to hold the ball up have kept Darren Bent out of the team
and although Villa still have a huge fight to stay up Beteke’s goals will give
them a fighting chance.
2. Robin Van Persie Arsenal to Manchester
United £24 Million
Sir Alex Ferguson was
guaranteed a world class goal scorer when he brought out the cheque book to
sign Van Persie last summer. His 18 goals from 24 appearances in the league
means he is currently the Prem’s leading goal scorer, and providing he stays
clear of injury he is likely to stay there. His partnership with Wayne Rooney
has surely formed the deadliest strike force in the world. With Danny Welbeck
and Javier Hernández on the
beach United aren’t exactly short of backup.
1. Michu Rayo
Vallecano to Swansea £2 Million
It’s amazing how this
striker slipped under the radar of so many clubs, his £2 Million price tag has
now more than tripled thanks to 13 goals which makes Michu the league’s fourth
highest scorer. In December his late double gave the Swans an astonishing
victory over Arsenal at the Emirates. Subsequently he helped earn his side a
Wembley cup final in the Capital One scoring against Chelsea in the first leg
of the semi-final. The Spaniard has certainly set himself very high standards
for the first half of the season, but whether he can continue this form remains
to be seen?
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