Premier League 2011-12: Top 5 Summer Transfers

by Christopher Atkins

Choosing the best transfers of the summer is never an easy task and this summer is certainly no different, with some very good value to be had in the transfer market if you look carefully enough. The five I have chosen are not necessarily those who I consider will have the biggest impact this season, it is a selection based on value for money offered by the players concerned. So, take a look and let us know your opinion. I am sure there will be many!

1. GERVINHO (Lille – Arsenal £10.7 million)

Ivorian international Gervinho could turn out to be a fantastic purchase for the North London club, having already impressed in his brief pre-season appearances thus far. Strong and fast, the 24-year old has good dribbling skills and is not afraid to take on his man.

Gervinho gives the option of playing as a support striker, but it is more likely he will start the season playing off the flanks for Arsene Wenger’s side. With 15 goals and 10 assists last season in Ligue 1 alone, the former-Lille man will provide a goal-threat from the flanks that is all too often lacking from the frustrating Andrey Arshavin.

New team-mate Carl Jenkinson is also a contender, with a fee of just £1 million from Charlton Athletic a steal for a very composed young full-back.

2. Phil JONES (Blackburn Rovers – Manchester United £16.5 million)

Probably the most controversial of my five picks. However, I believe, that even at £16.5 million, Manchester United have got a bargain for the 19-year old defender who was known to be a target for both Arsenal and Liverpool. Jones is the future of the England centre-back position and could even be a good outside bet for the European Championships squad next summer.

First-team opportunities will initially be hard to come by, but given Rio Ferdinand’s chronic injury problems of late, Jones could end up playing far more than expected. Strong and composed, the Lancastrian provides decent cover at right-back and in midfield, but there is no doubting his long-term future lies at the heart of the defence.

Of the other young prospects to move this summer, watch out for Tottenham’s Souleymane Coulibaly, winner of the Golden Shoe at the Under-17 World Cup this summer, Jones’ new team-mate David de Gea and Chelsea keeper Thibault Courtois, who will spend the season at Atlético Madrid.

3. Yohan CABAYE (Lille – Newcastle United £4.3 million)

The signing of French midfielder Cabaye, who was at the heart of Lille’s double winning side of last season has passed somewhat under the radar, but represents a stunning coup for the St. James’ Park club of a player who had Champions League football waiting in France.

A five-year deal has been signed, as Cabaye joins the French speaking revolution at Newcastle, with Cheik Tioté and Hatem Ben Arfa now joined by Sylvain Marveaux, Demba Ba and Mehdi Abeid, all representing great value on free transfers.

Technically excellent, the French international is renowned for his outstanding passing ability, as well as his impressive penalty scoring record.

4. Ashley YOUNG (Aston Villa – Manchester United £16 million)

When selecting the five best transfers, it is always best to pick players headed to five different clubs. However, the presence of two Manchester United players in this selection is testament to the North-West club’s quick and well thought-out transfer activity.

With one year left on his contract, United swooped and purchased a player who offers extremely useful versatility across the midfield and forward line. However, it appears the tricky winger will play off the left flank initially at Old Trafford.

In the case of Ashley Young, the now ex-Aston Villa man has threatened to hit the big time for several years now and over the past twelve months has earned himself a regular England place, however after a good education at Villa, now is time for Young to prove himself at the highest levels.

Villa have moved quickly, however, to secure the signing of a more than decent replacement in Charles N’Zogbia for just £9.5 million, having also lost Stewart Downing to Liverpool for £20 million.

5. Gaël CLICHY (Arsenal – Manchester City £7 million)

Just a couple of years ago, Gaël Clichy was one of the highest rated left-backs in the world game and it would have been inconceivable for the young Frenchman to have departed for under £10 million. However, although he is still a class act, there is a sense Clichy’s career has stalled somewhat over the past 18 months, having been caught out defensively on a number of occasions last season.

Clichy treads the now well-worn path between the Emirates and Eastlands, with his signing designed to provide solidity in the left-back position for Manchester City, following the disappointing season of Jerome Boateng and with Alexander Kolarov considered too cavalier in his attitude.

Clichy brings experience, pace and commitment to the Manchester City side and fans of the club will no doubt look forward to the sight of the Frenchman and Micah Richards operating in tandem from full-back during the club’s debut Champions League campaign.

Still only 26, Clichy will be joined at Eastlands by young Montenegrin Stefan Savic and also £38 million pound Argentine Sergio Agüero, who without doubt represents the Premier League’s most exciting transfer of the summer, as City push to make a serious title challenge in 2011/12.

Who would you pick as your Top 5 Premier League Summer Transfers? Let us know!

Christopher Atkins (@chris_elastico) is Co-Editor of The Elastico, a great place to start your daily football reading.

(photo credit: gagaga2013 on Flickr)

Arsenal, Ashley Young, Blackburn Rovers, English Premier League, Gael Clichy, Gervinho, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Phil Jones, Transfer News, Yohan Cabaye