Europe's 10 best transfers of season 2010-11

Johner

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/04/22/2451884/from-raul-to-mesut-ozil-europes-10-best-transfers-of-season-2010-

From Raul to Mesut Ozil - Europe's 10 best transfers of season 2010-11


With the 2010-11 campaign in most of Europe reaching the home stretch, Goal.com weighs up the 10 best player transfers that have helped the buying clubs attain success

Hundreds of millions of pounds, euros, dollars and more changed hands over the past two transfer windows, with thousands of moves taking place across the globe. Indeed, in Italy alone there were well over 1,000 transfers in the top two divisions, and countries ranging from England to Brazil were not far behind in the activity stakes.

As always investments ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. Our top ranked transfers of the summer and winter windows make for curious reading now, editor Ewan Macdonald's predictions running the gamut from the inspired to the foolish.

Now, with matters being a lot clearer on the pitch, we can more accurately gauge which transfers worked out and which did not. Below Goal.com presents its considered list of the top 10 transfers of the season.

We judged the 10 best transfers for 2010-11 based on:
The player's overall contribution (this being the most important factor)
How the player fitted into his new line-up
How quickly the player adapted to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
The transfer fee paid, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club or otherwise unknown are given as approximations and are marked in italics [I've underlined them.])
So, please find below Goal.com's countdown of the 10 best pieces of business from the 2010-11 European season.


10: Nacer CHADLI
Appearances: 46
Goals Scored: 13
Assists: 5
Twente AGOVV - €500,000

Chadli was considered to be the most talented youngster around in the Dutch second division, but Amsterdam powerhouse Ajax deemed the versatile attacker not good enough yet to play a big role in the Eredivisie. Twente did take the gamble though, and to say it's paid off would be an understatement.

The Belgium international won the battle for a starting berth from Emir Bajrami and has been the biggest surprise of the season. Chadli impressed both at Champions League and Eredivisie level and could move to a bigger league in the not-too-distant future.


9: Kevin-Prince BOATENG
Appearances: 29
Goals Scored: 3
Assists: 3
AC Milan Genoa - €3m (co-ownership)

After initial confusion over the exact nature of his move from Portsmouth via Genoa, there were also question marks as to the Ghanaian's ability to succeed in an Italian league not known for its all-action hustle and bustle midfielders.

But his importance to the Rossoneri has been highlighted of late by the club's insistence he be rushed back after injuries for key games, most notably the Champions League away leg against Tottenham. He has latterly flourished at the point of a midfield diamond, using his power and willing to provide the attacking link from the middle.


8: Shinji KAGAWA
Appearances: 25
Goals Scored: 10
Assists: 2
Dortmund Cerezo Osaka - €350,000

Given that he was arguably the best value signing in Europe up to the mid-season point, it really is a shame that Kagawa returned from the Asian Cup with a metatarsal fracture that has kept him out of the entire second half of the season.

Initially seen as a back-up playmaker, Kagawa's fine pre-season performances earned him a starting role in Jurgen Klopp's side. His goals only tell half the story of a playmaker who always makes the right runs, and passes. He will be a huge asset for BVB in the Champions League.

7: Moussa SOW
Appearances: 39
Goals Scored: 22
Assists: 1
Lille Rennes - Free Transfer

Lille’s big problem last season was a lack of potency in attack. Rudi Garcia’s solution seemed questionable as he snapped up Moussa Sow on a free transfer from Rennes.

The front man had only managed 18 goals in his entire career before moving to the north east corner of France this summer, but he has since thrived. Already the 25-year-old has 21 league goals to his name this season, and though he can be erratic at times in front of goal, his value has been outstanding.


6: Ricardo CARVALHO
Appearances: 42
Goals Scored: 3
Assists: 0
Real Madrid Chelsea - €8m

A key player for Jose Mourinho at Porto and Chelsea, Ricardo Carvalho joined up with his compatriot for a third time in the summer as he sealed an €8m move from west London.

The Portugal defender impressed instantly and has been a fixture in the previously inconsistent Madrid defence ever since. The 32-year-old has also scored three goals this season, including a vital winner over Osasuna early in the campaign, and looks good for more than another year at the capital club.


5: RAUL
Appearances: 43
Goals Scored: 19
Assists: 6
Schalke Real Madrid - Free transfer

The veteran Spaniard has scored 12 goals in 30 Bundesliga matches, but his biggest impression has been in Europe, where his five goals have led Schalke to their first-ever Champions League semi-final.

Not long ago, the 33-year-old was considered finished, a surplus to requirements at Real Madrid. Since moving to Schalke, however, Raul has proven again and again that he still has plenty of class left in reserve. Earlier this year he claimed to be in the best shape of his life. At this rate, he could be around for several years.


4: Edinson CAVANI
Appearances: 44
Goals Scored: 32
Assists: 5
Napoli Palermo - Loan (€16m deal agreed)

From a sometime-goalscorer for Palermo, the Uruguayan has within 12 months propelled himself to the position of talisman and centrepiece for a side who still hold outside hopes of clinching the Serie A title.

A league haul of 25 goals, including three hat-tricks, has not only seen Napoli return to the top table after 20 years but also attracted the interest of top clubs all around Europe. His Champions League potential was highlighted by his seven goals in the Europa League in the first half of the season.


3: Rafael VAN DER VAART
Appearances: 30
Goals Scored: 12
Tottenham Real Madrid - £8m (€9m)

Bought for the surprisingly low sum of just £8m, Van der Vaart quickly became a star man at White Hart Lane, climbing the scoring charts, reaching double figures in no time during his first season in England.

His performances may have slightly tailed off towards the end of the season, but the Dutchman certainly played a crucial part in keeping Spurs in the race for fourth place, while scoring some vital goals in the Champions League before Redknapp's side were beaten in the quarter-finals by his old club.


2: Javier HERNANDEZ
Appearances: 38
Goals Scored: 18
Manchester United Chivas Guadalajara - £8m (€9m)

Potentially one of the best buys in Premier League history, Chicharito had been monitored by the club for a couple of years before they finally got their man in the summer of 2010.

Hernandez has scored some priceless goals for United in his debut season at the club, few more important than his double in the Champions League last 16 second leg against Marseille at Old Trafford. "We've stolen him," said Sir Alex Ferguson about the signing, and with every performance from Chicharito the statement rings more and more true.


1: Mesut OZIL
Appearances: 45
Goals Scored: 10
Assists: 18
Real Madrid Werder Bremen - €15m

Mesut Ozil has quietly gone about his business since a €15m move from Werder Bremen in the summer. But that fee now seems a bargain: Ozil has scored 10 goals and set up 18 this season.

Madrid just look a better side when he is on the pitch, which was demonstrated as he climbed off the bench to help his team clinch a 1-1 draw at home to Barcelona on Saturday.

Still only 22, the German looks set to star at the Bernabeu for many years to come - and he's Europe's best signing of the last year.

Agree/Disagree? Any others that should be there?

flahavaj

Decent list. Chico was the first name that sprung to my mind as well.

everdead.ie

Cavani should be higher IMO but top two would be the same for sure.

CSF

No Torres?

Jordonvito

I know they are not as high profile as some of the names on that list, but some of Celtics signings have been fantastic. Kayal and Izaguirre in particular are attracting a lot of interest from big teams, Hooper and Stokes have been good too.
Basically they spent the money from McGeady very well!

Ebbs

Jordonvito wrote: »

Basically they spent the money from McGeady very well!

Yet it's suprising he isnt on the list too. Hes been amazing this season, but I guess he did cost a pretty penny.

Suprised Ronan Finn isnt on the list tbh:p

RasTa

Too lazy to double check but is it really that high?

Javier HERNANDEZ
Appearances: 38

Johner

RasTa wrote: »

Too lazy to double check but is it really that high?

40 apperances now.

mike65

CSF wrote: »

No Torres?

True, its working out for Liverpool. We always think about transfers as being a one-way ticket. Sometimes the selling club comes out best.

Liam O

If you are going by value surely then Kagawa, Raul and Chadli would be better than Ozil, VDV and Chico?

Nuri Sahin

Glad to see Sow get some recognition. Been outstanding for Lille in the handful of their games I've seen of them this season.

L'prof

Liam O wrote: »

If you are going by value surely then Kagawa, Raul and Chadli would be better than Ozil, VDV and Chico?

"We judged the 10 best transfers for 2010-11 based on:
The player's overall contribution (this being the most important factor)
How the player fitted into his new line-up
How quickly the player adapted to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
The transfer fee paid, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club or otherwise unknown are given as approximations and are marked in italics [I've underlined them.])
So, please find below Goal.com's countdown of the 10 best pieces of business from the 2010-11 European season."

Nuri Sahin

Liam O wrote: »

If you are going by value surely then Kagawa, Raul and Chadli would be better than Ozil, VDV and Chico?

If he wasn't injured in the Asia Cup and thus missing half the season he'd be on the list probably.

edit - or at least I'd like to think so being such a massive fan of his

Pauleta

Cavani should be number 1 IMO

kryogen

You really cant argue with the top 2 anyway imo

Ozil has been absolutely outstanding, Madrids most creative player and when you consider the relatively cheap transfer fee, the stats, how quickly he settled in (instantly) and the overall impact he has on the teams play, he has been the signing of the season i think

Hernandez deserves the praise he gets also and rightly is seen as the number 2 for me, he has scored some important goals this season, both in the league and europe and has had a major impact on the club

Vurnon San Benito

Cheik Tioté...

Jesus Wept

Suarez.

Insect Overlord

The-Rigger wrote: »

Suarez.

Yeah, the Pool did well there. I'd say if he'd arrived in the summer instead of in January he'd have been in the list.

Lawrence1895

I suppose, Kagawa Shinji would clearly top the list, but he is out injured for a good few months now...maybe one reason why Borussia Dortmund did not clinch the title already

bobbysands81

Bream Kayal of Celtic should be on that list even though he's only played about 16 league games. I'd say 'remember his name' but you won't need to as we haven't a hope of holding onto him, a big European team will have him soon and as I've already said he's exactly the type of player Man Utd need.

smokedeels

CSF wrote: »

No Torres?

......no Sturridge*?

*I know it's a loan but 7 goals for free is a good deal.

The-Rigger wrote: »

Suarez.

Got himself in the shop window...

LuckyCharms

My top 5 would be :

1 Raul
2 Kagawa
3 Carvalho
4 Cavani
5 Ozil

bazual

Doocey wrote: »

Cheik Tioté...

Took the words out of my mouth Doocey.

Mr T should be in there.

jive

My top 3 would be

1. Ozil
2. Cavani
3. Hernandez

IMO Hernandez has been excellent but not as good as Cavani (even though Hernandez was cheaper and I know that has been taken into consideration). I don't know why he isn't higher even his stats are unreal. He could even be #1 but I think Ozil has been fantastic too.

colly_06

No David Silva?

Salmon

Have to mention Cheik Tioté! Should definately make it into the top 10! Unreal find!

eagle eye

Jose Manuel Jurado to Schalke and as a bargain Odemwingie to West Brom are two more.

Glico Man

Odenwingie is a great shout. Isn't he now West Brom's all time top scorer in the Premier League?

Panthro

David Luiz...
Its the hair

Helix

darren bent. 7 in 12 to keep villa up. with 3 disallowed wrongly and 3 pens taken by young he couldve had more than one a game quite comfortably.

20+ next season comfortably anyway

L'prof

Helix wrote: »

darren bent. 7 in 12 to keep villa up. with 3 disallowed wrongly and 3 pens taken by young he couldve had more than one a game quite comfortably.

20+ next season comfortably anyway

Slightly overpriced, but he's a goal machine!