Peter Fraser picks the standout deals in a summer market when emphasis was on value for money.
Peter Fraser looks at the best deals in a summer transfer window when emphasis was on value for money
The spectre of administration, increased tax rates against the decreased strength of the pound, and preparation for new Uefa rules governing financial fair play and home-grown talent all played a part in a 22 per cent decrease in Premier League spending in the summer transfer market of 2010 when compared to 12 months earlier.
Analysts Deloitte calculated that around £350million was spent by top-flight clubs, which represented the lowest total since 2006 and provided statistical evidence of the shifting climate away from the glittering big-money deals of previous years.
This is not negative. Let us not forget that 2006 was a summer when Liverpool paid almost £7m for Jermaine Pennant, Tottenham decided Mido was worth a fee approaching £5m, and Andriy Shevchenko went on to return nine league goals for Chelsea's £30m.
Among the changing mindsets and tight purse strings of this summer, the emphasis was on value for money and deals caught the eye for differing reasons to the past.
Joe Cole (Liverpool, free transfer)
Value rating: 5/5
While deciding on a new club this summer following the expiry of his Chelsea contract, Cole pined that he needed to be 'loved'.
This sounded like a line from an especially slushy rom-com, but also suggested the playmaker was set to join former West Ham boss Harry 'don't call me a wheeler dealer' Redknapp at Tottenham.
Cash-strapped new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson convincing free agent Cole that the future was bright at a club which finished seventh in 2009/10 therefore represents the coup of the summer. Although, a red card and missed penalty are not the best way to introduce yourself to a new club.
Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara to Man Utd, £8m)
Value rating: 4/5
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not miss a trick. The Scot had targeted Hernandez long before the Mexican caught the eye at the World Cup.
It is not simply goalscoring ability that earns a move to Old Trafford and, in the words of his new boss, the 22-year-old has 'something else'.
In Ferguson-talk, this means a determination to succeed. Add that to superb movement, pace, control, and comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and £8m looks like money well spent.
Ramires (Benfica to Chelsea, £18.2m)
Value rating: 4/5
Chelsea perhaps represent the primary example of clubs watching the bank balance. Gone are the days when owner Roman Abramovich would haemorrhage cash on player recruitment and manager Carlo Ancelotti was instead offered the opportunity to make one marquee signing.
Brazil international Ramires was the man and the defending champions beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to the deal to give a measure of his quality.
The 23-year-old is similar to new team-mate Michael Essien in his defensive and attacking versatility and will certainly be a player to watch.
James Milner (Aston Villa to Man City, £26m)
Value rating: 3/5
While most clubs adopted a Fagin philosophy, Manchester City provided five of the six biggest deals of the summer.
Mario Balotelli, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov were all contenders, but the signing of England international Milner stands out.
City spent a total of £126m, according to Deloitte, and accounted for 36% of the Premier League's total outlay, with the £26m, including Stephen Ireland, handed to Aston Villa leading the way.
Milner's athleticism, desire to succeed and nationality will all prove vital to City's quest to finish in the top four and a future title challenge. He has to deal with a significant price tag, but is a player of established Premier League class.
Asamoah Gyan (Rennes to Sunderland, £13m)
Value rating: 2/5
Here we have a wild card. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce broke his club's transfer record when paying Rennes £13m to sign Gyan.
The Black Cats claim they were tracking the Ghanaian before his three goals at the World Cup, but if that is true would it not have been best to strain every sinew to reach an agreement before an inflated post-finals fee?
Gyan's arrival still represents a fascinating transfer. It will be intriguing to see how the 24-year-old combines with Darren Bent and if he can settle in England.
The fee may be lower than Milner's, but Gyan is going to have to prove himself in the Premier League.
Who was the best signing of summer 2010? Have your say below.
