Connect with us

Football

Transfer Window: Who was the smartest signing?

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Who was the smartest signing of this transfer window?

The European transfer window effectively closed on October 5th, with only domestic business allowed after that point. Despite the disruption of Coronavirus, it has been another high-spending window for Premier League clubs. But of all of the deals that were done, which signing will turn out to be the smartest? Here are five of the contenders. 

 

James Rodriguez 

Even when Carlo Ancelotti took the reigns at Everton last year, few Toffees fans would have expected as high-profile a signing as James Rodriguez. The Colombian was one of several impressive acquisitions that Everton made over the summer, but was by far the most exciting. A quick Youtube search reveals a dazzling highlight reel from the midfielder, who has now been reunited with his old manager. Rodriguez has been injury hit over the last few campaigns, and arguably not lived up to the huge hype he had following the 2014 World Cup. But the 29 year old has settled into this Everton team seamlessly, in their excellent start to the season. So far it seems as if the rumoured £20 million Everton paid is excellent value. 

 

Emiliano Martinez 

A good indicator of how good a signing Aston Villa made in Emiliano Martinez was how upset Arsenal fans were to lose the keeper. Martinez has spent most of his career as a back-up, but shined in goal for them last season after Leno’s injury, and some suggested he should keep his first team place this season. Instead, Martinez went from London to Birmingham in a deal worth up to £20 million. He saved a penalty in a 1-0 win on debut, which will be sure to endear him to the Villa faithful. For a team that has such problems in goal last season, this appears to be a great signing. 

 

Timothy Castagne 

Whilst one of the most expensive signings of the summer was Chilwell going from Leicester to Chelsea, it is the fullback Leicester have brought in that has made this list. Timothy Castagne impressed in the Champions League for Atalanta last season, and Leicester fought off interest from several clubs to land the Belgian. Castagne can play at either right or left back, and many expect him to switch flanks when Ricardo Pereira returns from injury. A debut goal for the Foxes was a good start to life in the East Midlands, and Foxes fans will be excited to see what he offers both defensively and going forward this season. 

 

Hakim Ziyech 

There a number of Chelsea signings who could have made this list, but Hakim Ziyech is the one who seems to offer the best value for money. The Moroccan playmaker is already proven on the European stage, having starred in Ajax’s Champions league run in the 18/19 season. He also has an incredible goals and assist record in the Eredivisie. Whilst the record of Dutch league players coming to the Premier League is a mixed one, Ziyech has shown an elite quality which should see him thrive in England. If used correctly, he could be the perfect link between Chelsea’s midfield and Timo Werner up front. 

 

Thiago 

After the two most successful seasons in Liverpool’s recent history, the club needed a marquee signing to show their continued ambition. In came Thiago Alcántara. The Italian born Spaniard has spent his career so far winning countless trophies at Bayern and Barca. Now he has come to the English champions, for a relatively cheap £27 million. He arrives as a player with a history of injuries, but also as one of the best midfielders in the world. Reds fans will be very excited to see how he fits into their midfield three, as they aim to ‘attack, not defend‘ their league title as Jurgen Klopp put it.

 

We hope you enjoyed this article ‘Transfer Window: Who was the smartest signing?.’ Is there someone else you think should have made our list? Let us know!

 

Read more on football here:

Related Topics:

Jack Wood is a journalism degree graduate from University of Derby, with a particular passion for boxing, football and MMA

Trending

Copyright © 2019 Sporting Ferret | All Rights Reserved