26th Aug 2016
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We profile this summer’s top 11 signings in football.
This seasons’ transfer window was rife with buzz, speculation, big spenders and easy pickings. There were some transfers that surprised no one and some which no one saw coming. Here is counting down top 11 blockbuster moves that had our jaws dropping, tongues wagging and hearts thumping.
11. Alvaro Morata
Credits: RisultatiSport
From: Juventus
To: Real Madrid
For: 24 Million Pounds
Alvaro Morata is back to his Spanish roots, though some say, not for long. Rumours have it, Real Madrid have activated the Spaniard’s buy-back from Juventus to spark a transfer deal with a Premier League club (hint: it’s owned by a wealthy Russian oil tycoon). However, for now, the striker will play under the tutelage of Zinedine Zidane. Morata netted 27 goals for the Serie A champions during his brief spell which fast-tracked the call-back to Madrid. But we feel, given the current line-up at Bernabeu, Morata will need to fight for his place in the starting XI. So where, how and for how long he plays for the Los Blancos is anyone’s guess. Wanna take one?
10. Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Credits: handelsblatt.com
From: Borussia Dortmund
To: Manchester United
For: 26.3 Million Pounds
Jose Mourinho had identified four “fundamental” players to complete his roster of 23 outfield players to compete in the Europa League campaign this year; Henrikh is one of them. With 23 goals and 32 assists for Dortmund across all competitions, Mkhitaryan’s move to Old Trafford meant stepping up and getting on with the big boys. A free-scoring midfielder, Mkhitaryan will prove to be an assist machine to the United strikers. However, we have been left wondering how Mkhitaryan and Mata will line up in Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Guess only time will tell.
9. Renato Sanches
Credits: AFP
From: Benfica
To: Bayern Munich
For: 27.5 Million Pounds
Renato Sanches became one of the most expensive teenagers in football when Carlo Ancelotti picked him up for a staggering fee. One of Euro 2016’s breakthrough performers, Sanches is known for a highly combative, creative and clinical style of play reminiscent of the likes of Edgar Davids. His all-action mode for Portugal was dynamic to watch and we are excited about this move. Having displayed powerful acceleration over 5 – 10 yards, Sanches will mostly play alongside Vidal to form an explosive central midfield for Bayern. Known to be tactical and action-driven himself, Ancelotti, now has in his kitty a live-wire to unleash assault on those already-intimidated teams that enter the Allianz Arena.
8. Sadio Mane
Credits: dafabetsports.com
From: Southhampton
To: Liverpool
For: 30 Million Pounds
Raw speed, goals and a whole lot of hunger – Sadio Mane brings a lot to the table as he moves from the Saints to Anfield. Having scored 21 goals in 67 Premier League appearances, Mane has been a mouth-watering prospect in the season’s transfer window. The Senegal forward, who played out wide and centrally for Southampton, will now join an array of attacking talent including among them, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke at Anfield. How Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will pair his players to maximize assault on rivals, remains to be seen. We are kicked about this move, as it is a smart climb to the top for this fast versatile striker.
7. N'Golo Kante
Credits: PA Sport
From: Leicester
To: Chelsea
For: 30 Million Pounds
Very few players witness history, even fewer make them. N'Golo Kante, key member of the legendary Leicester City team, made his big-money move to Chelsea this season. Was it right to jump ship? Evidently, the offer was “too good to turn down.” If early indications are anything to go by, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, will place him alongside Fabregas, Matic and Hazard for a disruptive yet well balanced midfield. Given the players at Conte’s disposal, he is most likely to give wrecking-ball Kante a whole lot of playing time. As the Italian manager likes to say, “Attack with five, defend with five,” Kante’s key positions will be clear only after the first few games. But on the whole, this move makes for a great value proposition in a highly inflated market scenario.
6. Eric Bailly
Credits: Getty
From: Villareal
To: Manchester Unired
For: 30 Million Pounds
What is the first thing Jose Mourinho did after joining Man United? Sign Eric Bailly. Lightning fast on the ball with strong defensive technique is what caught Mourinho’s eyes when he first profiled Bailly for a place in his starting XI. He was the key man in a Villarreal defence that kept 17 clean sheets in La Liga last season to secure fourth place. Bailly will be desperate to get some first-team action under his belt as he will be competing against the likes of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind for starting spots in Mourinho’s plans to restore United to its former glory. And he could well turn out to be the standout signing among all the other superstars that arrived over this shop window.
5. Granit Xhaka
Credits: talksport.com
From: Borussia Monchengladbach
To: Arsenal
For: 30 Million Pounds
Blessed with an eye for young raw talent, it was only a matter of time that Arsene Wenger snapped up Xhaka from the Bavarians. As his first summer signing, the prudent Frenchman brought on the 23-year-old with the pivotal purpose of strengthening his midfield after losing the likes of Flamini, Rosicky and Arteta. Quick, agile in the air and a clinical passing technique are some of the attributes that made him the club’s 3rd most expensive signing. This move will provide Xhaka with the much-needed motivation to boost his game and transform him into a household name. Needless to say that given his current skill-set, our sense is that Wenger will deploy him to his strengths and knowing the club’s well-founded reputation of developing young talent, make no mistake, we are witnessing a star in the making.
4. Michy Batshuayi
Credits: radiogoal24.it
From: Marseille
To: Chelsea
For: 33.2 Million Pounds
After a promising start for Belgium in Euro 2016, Batshuayi appeared on the “must-have” list of several high-profile clubs this summer, Chelsea being one of them. With swift dribbling ability and dominant upper body strength, Batshuayi is the formidable goal-machine Chelsea so desperately needed. With 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season, he was new-boss Antonio Conte’s first signing. Conte, who is most comfortable with two strikers up front, will mostly pair him with current lone-wolf Diego Costa. With a tactic-tight formation, we are gearing to see a pretty power-packed Chelsea team this season.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Credits: dailymotion.com
From: Paris Saint-Germain
To: Manchester United
For: Free Transfer
Since Sir Alex left Old Trafford, the club had lost its spark. That’s until they signed the heavily-tattooed, highly boastful and supremely combative Zlatan Ibrahimović. You can trust the sensational Swede to bring back that lost swagger and style to the Red Devils. If his performance in the Community Shield game & EPL so far is anything to go by, Zlatan will be a marquee signing for United this season. Known for a larger-than-life ego, Ibrahimović will not be pleased if not considered in the starting XI. So what remains to be seen is how Mourinho will pair him with Pogba, Rashford & Rooney. Moreover, the astute manager will look to Zlatan for a more leadership role in the locker room, to instill the right attitude and charisma among the younger core. All in all, this has been a superb signing for Man United this summer as the world is poised to see what magic Zlatan 2.0 will spin out of his boots at the Theatre of Dreams.
2. Gonzalo Higuaín
Credits: gazzetta.gr / Gabriel Bouys
From: Napoli
To: Juventus
For: 75.3 Million Pounds
Juventus, much to everyone’s surprise, swooped in for El Pipita (a name kept by his father), by triggering a 78 Million Pounds bid. While the fans in Naples swore of betrayal by their leading man, the fans of the Bianconeri, wondered how intelligent a move it was, for a player 28 years of age. It’s all of little consequence though when you look at the stats of Higuain’s previous season, which included shattering a 50-year-old Serie A goal scoring record. He is perhaps the last missing piece in a Juventus juggernaut that has dominated the domestic scene along with noteworthy performances on the biggest stage in Europe, including a Champions League final showing in the 2014-15 season. Allegri’s team now boasts not only one of the best defences in Europe, but also one of the most impressive attacking duos on the continent, in the form of Dybala and Higuain. And bring Mandzukic into that equation, things look even more clinical. There’s no doubt this signing comes with big expectations, but what else can one expect when one of the best centre forwards in the game moves to one of the biggest clubs in Europe?
1. Paul Pogba
Credits: melty.fr
From: Juventus
To: Manchester United
For: 90 Million Pounds
The season’s most long-running transfer saga was also its most talked about. Everyone we know and spoke to, had an opinion about Pogba’s move. United fans were ecstatic while Juve fans were convinced that Pogba is chasing fool’s gold. He had the chance to be a part of Juve’s Champion League ambitions - but instead chose to return to his so-called roots. It’s more likely that he would win a major championship with Allegri’s men and also perhaps accomplish his personal goal of winning the Ballon d’Or as one of the Bianconeri’s already impressive core. But then, choosing to return to a team starting afresh, with a new manager, a new squad and a thirst to end all criticisms and disapprovals, must have a special flavour to it. So if you see from a purely football perspective, this move makes little sense. However, football is as much a matter of the heart as it is of logic. Described by the Frenchman as “returning from a holiday”, it’s evident that his heart belongs to Old Trafford, but then, there’s also the small matter of his big salary. So for now, the only real question is whether Jose Mourinho’s dream signing will be worth his weight in goals.
So there it is, a transfer round-up of the finest lads in all the lands whom you will see over another sensational season across the big leagues. So keep your favourite jersey handy, alongside that all-important television remote.
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