Having posted my tactician thread, I thought I would post another fun team thread like that, just to get eyes firmly back on talking about football. This time, not restricted to Liverpool. This summer, there have already been around 75 transfers to Premier League clubs. Some transfers amongst those in the PL, and many from abroad as well. Who makes your Best Transfers XI as things stand? No potentials. Only those in print. And not necessarily just the best players, best value etc.
Here is a link to a list of already completed transfers for anyone wishing to peruse choices:
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/jun/summer-transfers-2013-ins-and-outs.htmlAnd anyone who can't figure out who plays where:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/premie...t_alle_a_s.htmlMine would be:
---------------- McGregor ---------------
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------- Amorebieta ---- Okore -----------
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- Riether --------------------- Pieters -
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---------------- Wanyama ----------------
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------- Fer -----------------------------
------------------------ Paulinho -------
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- Navas ---------------------------------
--------------------------------- Aspas -
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----------------- Bony ------------------
McGregor's form for Besiktas may not have been as great as that at Rangers, but he is a very good keeper, much like Boruc at Southampton, and for only £1.5m, Hull have got a potentially match-winning keeper at a key point in his career, now aged 31. I think Stekelenburg and Mignolet are both very intelligent signings I might add, but McGregor looks like the biggest steal.
We may have already seen
Riether play for Fulham, and at 30 he is hardly going to improve, but he was one of a handful of Fulham players who is good enough to make the step up to a top team. Again, brought in for just under £1.3m, his value is good, and he will be all but settled to help Jol and new owner Khan to push for a higher finish.
As you will soon discover, like my full-backs, I have gone for an experienced guy, and a younger player.
Amorebieta is a very proficient centre-half. At 28, he will still have a handful of years in him. His age, the only reason he sits here over Toure. Another freebie, F. Amorebieta may be a great compliment for Hangeland. Fulham will soon have a very experienced back-line.
The other centre-half choice was a toss-up between Kalas at Chelsea (but I think his chances will be limited) and
Okore at Villa. I plucked for Okore. For just over £4m, he is one of the more expensive purchase, but the media-hype over his talent precedes him. Certainly a player likely to get good opportunity to impress. One to watch.
Left back choice is tough. Razvan Rat is a good signing for West Ham, and Olssen will be very good at Norwich, but I think
Pieters to Stoke is a very good piece of business. At 24, he is just hitting his peak, and has been a good player for PSV in spite of his recent injuries. Dutch international for £3m. Seems like a steal.
Canas and Cabral stood no chance here, despite being players I have seen and heard about.
Wanyama is by far one of the shrewdest acquisitions your will find this summer. Obviously he impressed upon many fans watching the Champions League, and with many wondering why Liverpool aren't seeking to provide Lucas with meaningful defensive competition, many are confused how a player available for only £12m slipped past our committee. Young, and versatile, Southampton have guaranteed themselves a potentially instrumental player in their quest for a top-half finish.
A few more choices in centre-midfield. My pick is Leroy
Fer. Fernandinho appears very gifted and brought in on a big deal, and van Ginkel is a potential starlet but Fer, for less than £5m is high value and likely success. Everton, under Moyes, were great at finding midfielders, and Fer was very close to joining them in January. Ultimately, Norwich will give him ample time to settle. I suspect he may be another good coup for a team outside of the top 7/8.
Paulinho is likely to get ample time, and will certainly be one of the more offensive centre-midfielders. At £17m, he has a lot of prove to warrant the outlay. at 24, he is a player moving just before his peak. Spurs may have a perfect compliment for Sandro in the centre.
Redmond, Delofeu and Alberto all come in as promising young wingers. Ultimately, I had to go for the obvious.
Navas is an extraordinary talent. Once hamstrung by homesickness, it will be interesting to see how he adapts. I think he is a steal, at the price, and is a low risk high reward signing by City.
As a second striker, this one will be risky on a site like this, but I really think
Aspas is one to watch out for. From what I have read, he has been impressing in pre-season training, and his deft touches and through balls have been something to keep an eye on. At only £7.7m, he represents very good value, especially with so many other strikers coming in for figures nearer £10m. No big-name, but he could be the steal Liverpool needed to keep the front-line competitive, regardless of Suarez and his potential departure.
Altidore, Helenius, Cornelius, Sanogo, Wolfswinkel and Kone all appear good purchases. Carroll has the chance to continue to impress at West Ham, albeit at £15m, and Schurrle is definitely a talented player coming in at Chelsea. Negredo may sign for City very soon, but sticking by my rules, my option up top is
Bony. Huge potential. Huge ego. Huge. Looks like a potential second-Lukaku. He has impressed upon many abroad, and at Swansea, he'll get opportunities for sure. With Michu and Pablo Hernandez, he'll get a lot of supply, this could be the deal that helps Swansea and Laudrup progress in the Europa League.
Anyway...
The torch is passed to you guys...
