EPL Roundup - Top Transfers

The 2007/2008 English Premier League season saw some big transfers failing to adjust with English football while others started firing straightaway. So after a post on the league's top ten teams a few days back, here is a list of the top ten transfers last season.

10. Phil Jagielka (4 mil) - Everton
His awareness, positioning and tackling was high quality throughout the season and he was a rock in Everton's back four, as they pushed for the Champions League spot. Like most Evertonians last season, he played with passion and courage. And at 4 million pounds, David Moyes will be more than happy to have signed him.

9. Sulley Muntari (7 mil) - Portsmouth
Muntari was acquired from Udinese for 7 million pounds and had a great impact on Portsmouth's season. He was commanding in the midfield and controlled the game well. He is surely one reason why Portsmouth are FA Cup champions and why they are playing in Europe next season.

8. Martin Petrov (4.7 mil) - Manchester City
Martin Petrov was brought to Manchester City from Athletico Madrid and was alien to Premier League, but he soon became a force to reckon. The Bulgarian proved that he was more worthy than his 4.7 million pounds price tag suggests. In 34 matches, Petrov has tallied 5 goals and nine assists. His runs up the left were key to City’s success as he was able to beat defenders with ease.

7. Blumer Elano (8 mil) - Manchester City
Another quality signing by Manchester City. His shooting ability, vision, passing skill, and commitment were awesome and he is reason why City had such a great beginning to the campaign last season. The fans will always remember his great freekicks and something tells me there is more of those coming next season.

6. Owen Hargreaves (17mil) - Manchester United
17 million is not cheap, but Hargreaves delivered and more importantly has the potential to deliver for many more years. He certainly proved his worth at United and threatened the position of Carrick throughout the season, in his first year itself. His ability to win balls, keep it and pass well together with his expertise in dead ball situations were vital for United as they won the double.

5. Jermain Defoe (9 mil) - Portsmouth
Defoe was languishing on the bench at Tottenham but has rebooted his career under Harry Redknapp’s guidance, after Portsmouth signed him mid season. n Defoe’s 12 matches for Portsmouth, he netted 8 goals and set Fratton Park on fire. He was certainly worth his price tag and with his performance he would have issued a statement to Capello as well.

4. Bacary Sagna (6 mil) - Arsenal
Sagna arrived in the summer from Auxerre, for a sum of £6 million, and went on to become one of the top players last season with his consistency. The Arsenal scouts did a great job in finding this right-back, whose tight defensive play and attacking overlaps were one of the reasons why Arsenal did well last season. One should note the fact that Arsenal's downfall fastened Sagna's injury. That tells us how important a member was Sagna in the team.

3. Carlos Tevez (loan) - Manchester United
Another amazing signing by Sir Alex. He was bought on loan from Wetsham after a lot of problems, but served United well. In 48 appearances, he scored nineteen goals, and some of them vital last minute equalizers or winners. His bullish play and knack for being in the right positions served Carlos and United well.

2. Fernando Torres (26 mil) - Liverpool
He was brought from Athletico Madrid for 26 million plus Luis Garcia. He was worth the money and formed a great partnership with Gerrard. The pair were the best for Liverpool last season. His 24 goals in 33 league matches are the most goals scored by a foreigner in his first year in the EPL. But for Torres, Everton would be playing Champions League next year and Liverpool struggling for a UEFA Cup spot. His amazing speed bamboozled the opposition defenders time and again he was a treat tow watch.

1. Roque Santa Cruz (3 mil) - Blackburn Rovers
Roque Santa Cruz, a 26 year old Paraguayan scored 19 goals in 37 league appearances, which makes him the fourth leading scorer in the EPL. He was a top signing by Mark Hughes, and a great bargain too. 19 goals for 3 million pounds is awesome and this makes him more valuable than Torres, who came at a higher price.

What makes me sad is that there are no Chelsea players in the list. And what is more distressing is the fact that 2-3 of our players would have made the 'Worst EPL signings - Top ten' list. No points for guessing who all.