Arsenal, Blackburn, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League
Seven star signings who will rock the Premier League
With more money spent than ever before this summer, the Premier League has attracted some of Europe’s best talent. But which players will make the most impact in a season that promises a three-team chase for the title and an intense scramble for European places? Footballing World picks out seven of the most exciting deals to [...]
With more money spent than ever before this summer, the Premier League has attracted some of Europe’s best talent. But which players will make the most impact in a season that promises a three-team chase for the title and an intense scramble for European places?
Footballing World picks out seven of the most exciting deals to be completed; seven stars who will shake up the Premier League.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
A huge price tag does not detract from the talent of Torres, a striker with immense potential and forever linked with a major club before Liverpool finally came up with the necessary cash. The club’s greatest problem in their bid to win a league title has been a lack of goals, deriving from a missing hitman up front. Torres has arrived to fill the void.
The strongest Liverpool squad since Rafa Benítez landed in England will abet Torres’s progress, providing him with the chances he needs to notch up more than 20 goals next season. Third favourites for the title, the Reds’ challenge depends much on the success of the 23-year-old Spaniard and whether he can adjust to the ruthlessness of the Premier League swiftly. Immediate adaptation and goals galore could lead Liverpool to the title and make Torres a hero on Merseyside.
Nani (Manchester United)
Sir Alex Ferguson’s eye for talent brought Nani to the club, and the Portuguese has the ability to emulate the success of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferguson has groomed the latter into one the best players in the world and Nani is expected to follow suit. A left-sided winger, the 20-year-old is the obvious replacement for Ryan Giggs, and Nani undoubtedly has the nimble feet and shrewdness to replace the Welsh wizard.
Manchester United appear to have made a steal from under the noses of Europe’s top clubs – all of whom could have found a place for Nani in their side – and the signing might just ensure United have an advantage in European competition over the coming years. Certainly, the idea of Nani on the left and Ronaldo on the right playing in tandem is one that wets the appetite for United supporters; fear and loathing from opponents and rivals.
Eduardo Da Silva (Arsenal)
Wenger’s decision to sell Thierry Henry stirred up debate, as did the news that Da Silva would be replacing him. The Brazil-born Croatian international scored for fun at previous club Dynamo Zagreb – 73 times in 98 games – but was a relative unknown in England when Arsenal snapped him up for half of what they received for Henry.
Da Silva is perhaps more predatory and clinical than Henry; a genuine striker in the mould of a Ruud van Nistelrooy who can at last fulfil Wenger’s desire for a “fox in the box” after past attempts failed miserably. With pace to burn and his best years to come, Da Silva might end the supporters’ frustrations at the side’s profligacy in front of goal while ensuring Arsenal’s vast potential is met, eventually.
Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
The player of the year in France chose Chelsea ahead of Liverpool and a host of Italian sides and his goal in the Community Shield showpiece demonstrated why José Mourinho opted to splash the cash on the Frenchman. Malouda will occupy the left-wing position, offering Chelsea far more width than last season, using his pace to surge past defenders and touch to deliver pinpoint crosses for teammates while also chipping in with goals.
Malouda, 27, has been the backbone of Lyon’s incredible domestic successes over four years and rose to prominence at the World Cup last year. Unlike many other signings from the continent this summer, Malouda will not need time to adjust to the Premier League and he has the suitable facets to sparkle in England and deliver the league title back to West London.
Elano (Manchester City)
The Brazilian’s surname is ‘Blumer’ and it is an apt description of Elano’s career thus far. He led an undistinguished career in his home country before making a name for himself in Ukraine for Shakhtar Donetsk, by which time he was 24. So impressive was he that new Brazil coach Dunga called him up to the national set up in August 2006 – becoming the first player in Ukraine to play for the country – and the coach’s gamble paid off a month later when Elano netted twice in an accomplished performance against Argentina in a thumping 3-0 friendly victory.
Now an integral part of the Brazil set-up – he played in the Copa América final – the 26-year-old midfielder could be Manchester City’s leading light this season as new manager Sven-Göran Eriksson attempts to lead them into the Uefa Cup. Of all City’s signings, Elano possesses the most quality and he might have the extra bit of class and flair necessary for any side chasing a top six place.
Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers)
Not as high-profile and costly as others on this list, but Mark Hughes did good business in persuading Santa Cruz to come to Uefa Cup-bound Blackburn. Glimpses of brilliance during a frustrating time at Bayern Munich indicate the Paraguayan has what it takes to make it in the Premier League and alongside the irresistible Benni McCarthy Blackburn will have a strike force to be feared both in England and on the continent.
At 20, Santa Cruz scored three times in just seven Champions League starts, and his ability to play alongside and score against some of Europe’s leading teams stands him in good stead for a new challenge as Blackburn eye a top six finish. Hughes is also aiming for Uefa Cup glory – and Santa Cruz, at 6′2″ and with previous European experience, may well excel and explode on such a platform and bring Blackburn unanticipated silverware.
Carlos Tévez (Manchester United)
After all the legal wrangling, Manchester United finally got their man. The league champions rejected Tévez a year ago but after a stunning run with West Ham, they fought off clubs from Spain and Italy to land the Argentine’s signature. A fantastic work-rate, immense skill and lethal shot obtained Sir Alex Ferguson’s attention and United could ultimately pay more than £25m to sign Tévez on a permanent deal.
The 23-year-old single-handedly saved the Hammers from relegation last season and he since has earned the promotion MSI had planned for back in August last year. Tévez will be expected to fire in 20 goals while leading the front line as Manchester United aim to retain their league crown and he will also have a first bite at the Champions League – the trophy Ferguson has made clear is top priority. Having acquired Tévez for peanuts on a two-year loan deal, it could prove one of the manager’s best bits of business during his long and distinguished reign. The striker is expected to cut the over-reliance on goals from midfield, especially from the twinkle-toed Cristiano Ronaldo, in a season where optimists believe three major trophies are possible. The success or not of Tévez might be crucial in determining whether United recapture the Premier League title as Chelsea and Liverpool bay for their blood.
Which player will make the most impace this season? Share your views by leaving a comment below.
Tags: Carlos Tevez, Eduardo Da Silva, Elano, Fernando Torres, Florent Malouda, Luis Nani, Roque Santa Cruz
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I think Tevez will rock the premiership this season
Do not bother asking, because you already know. Without so much unnecesary details, it’s Eduardo.
It never seases to amaze me how stupid Arsenal fans can be. Like Eduardo will make that big an impact! Yeah, his scoring record is good… in the Croatian league. Yeah, I can see there being a lot of quality in that league. Loads in fact. He’s moved to a different country so his impact will be reduced as he settles in and gets used to the different style of play. This same problem will affect all the other foreign imports this season. That’s why if any of these signings will make a big impact then it will be Tevez. He’s already used to the league, and everyone knows he is a quality player. It pains me to say it as well cos I’m a Liverpool fan, but the sensible money is on Tevez out of all of these players.
yeah danny,of course u r rite..its sooooo obvious u r a footbal genius typing a comment like that sitting in front of your pc..i mean like,what does arsene wenger know about signing world class players,he is only the manager of the best team in england.its a good thing u said u r a liverpool im not gonna start about what a ‘wonderful’ signing fernando torres is…27 million quid on a player who is gonna score as many goals as da silva..at the best:P….arsenal champs..
Having acquired Tévez for peanuts on a two-year loan deal, it could prove one of the manager’s best bits of business during his long and distinguished reign.
10 million pounds just to loan him for 2 years is hardly peanuts , infact it is probably the highest amount in the history of the game . keep in mind this does not include his salary which must be upwards of 75 thousand pounds a week atleast .
danny are you retarded you fuckin scouse yes eduardo played in a far less capable league but that doesn’t mean he can’t make a big impact what the fuck are you out of your mind i mean torres used to play in the la liga and he played nearly 200 games and only scored about 97 goals what kind of record is that but to be honesrt he is a fabolous player but 97 goals in such an easy league i mean fuck whats going on and the money you payed for him is not worth it so just hush about other players when your own players aint even all that plus if thierry henry played in the croation league thats ig and played 98 games he would probably have scored a hundred and something goals maybe even over 200 but if that was before he came to england would you have said that i think so but then he would have proved your sad sorry red ass wrong you fuckin artaud also i would like to piont out how liverpool have never won the premier league and how arsenal have also that all liverpool do is go for gay spaniards and spend millions on them but we sign youngsters who will be greats in 2-3 years i mean anelka 500,000 henry 11m and he wasnt even doing well at juventus playing in midfield then of course tactical and talent also position master played him in strike a new great was born then go to vieira 3.5m what a bargain and now lets go to youth players who have you guys made ok you guys have made some excellent players owen,carragher and gerrard we have made cashley cole,pennant(now with you pricks) and of course tony adams. To defense we made a champions league record 10 games in a row without conceding a single goal and cost only 5m altoghether for the whole defence while you guys have probably spent gazzilions on your crappy defence don’t try to piont out that we lost 4-1 at anfield o well we played shit in respect to you guys you played superb but you lot barely made it into the quarters in 2005-2006 season but the next season neither did we but we didn’t get smashed and battered out so just fuck off and anyway good luck this season but i have to say you are a very disrespectful guybut good luck this year
jamila Let the boys do the talking on the pitch mate - there is absolutely NO need to vent all that fury on a Liverpool fan - steeped in history and funded by Yanks !!! Nobody plays better football than Arsenal - We just could not hit a cows backside with a banjo last season. So what does that muppet Wenger do - goes and buys a real predatory striker with a proven goalscoring pedigree - wherever that is - A certain Ian Wright was playing park football before being snapped up by Crystal Palace - He wasn’t bad was he ? Sit back and chill I respect Liverpool but they have to be faintly embarrassed to chirp on about Torres etc when they had to rely on someone to hand them loads of cash to buy him. We made £13m on transfers alone this summer and bearing in mind we had a transfer kitty already in place and £100m on the way form the sale of the Highbury development - trust Wenger to do the right thing and leave the others to drool over the kind of football only Arsenal can produce.
DaSiva maybe - Tevez definately - great signing by Fergie - at least I hope so I have him in my fantasy team
danny is a retard ha ha ha arsenal 4 life
I know everyone is saying the big money will rock the prem, that much is obvious, i recn Santa Cruz is the best buy, mark highes has done another smart bit of business like signing benni from porto, champions league players, top strike with bags of potential
[...] did not plan to use Nani as much as he has done. Only bought last summer, the idea was to give the explosive winger a taste of Premier League action rather than a full-on 40 appearance buffet. Nani’s [...]
[...] Do you agree with our selections? Who else deserves a mention? Have your say in the comments section below. And see our pre-season list of the seven star signings who we thought would rock the Premier League. [...]