Greatest Premier League Transfers since 2010

Soul Prince
May 25, 2018
5 min read

10.

Cesar Azpilicueta (Marseille to Chelsea, 2012)

When Di Matteo was given substantial funds to bolster Chelsea’s squad in the summer of 2012, the signings that caught the eye were the attackers. Buying Hazard, Oscar and Marin was a clear sign – Chelsea were building a team for the future. Little did he or anyone realise at the time that a 22 year old Spanish right back that only cost 7 million pounds, would go down as one of the best bits of business in Chelsea’s history. Rated as the best defender in the Premiership by Carragher and Gary Neville, Azpilicueta has excelled in every defensive position he’s been tasked with under different managers. He’s also a two time Premier League winner and Chelsea’s assistant captain. Who says there’s no value in the market?

Robin Van Persie (Arsenal to Manchester United, 2012)

If Alexis Sanchez’ transfer up north is anywhere near as successful as the last star forward to make that same move, Manchester United fans would consider themselves fortunate. On the surface, a 29 year old striker was the last thing the United faithful were expecting from the 2012 transfer window. Rooney, Hernandez and Welbeck had impressed in the last couple of seasons. Kagawa had also been brought in from Dortmund earlier in the transfer window. But Sir Alex has always had a weakness for quality strikers and as such, couldn’t turn down the chance to sign the league’s most potent striker. What followed was number 20 (his shirt number) delivering number 20 (Manchester United’s 20th title) in Sir Alex’s farewell season. His 26 goals not only won him the golden boot, but ensured that for at least one season he ruled the Theatre of Dreams.

Vertonghen (Ajax to Tottenham, 2012)

If you let most Spurs fans tell it, Ledley King’s persistent injury issues robbed both Tottenham and England from arguably the most gifted British defender of his generation. So when Villas Boas decided to bring a left footed Belgian defender from Ajax to replace their legendary captain, you could forgive them for wondering if they weren’t getting another Vermalean. They needn’t have worried because not only did Vertonghen adjust to the Premier League quickly – he made the PFA Team of the season in his first year – but he provided the leadership Tottenham’s defense had sorely lacked for years.

Costa (Atletico to Chelsea, 2014)

Cantona. Luis Suarez. Balotelli. The Premier League has always had a fascination with gifted strikers with troubled personalities. Strikers like these are worth their weight in gold in copy as their performances and their controversies get discussed with vigor. Diego Costa continued in this tradition in three dramatic seasons. He arrived for quite a sum of money but took to the league immediately, scoring in his first three games. His first and third seasons saw him finish a two time Premier League winner and League Cup winner. Although he ended up been sold in unfortunate circumstances – which provided a lot of good copy by the way – he left having made an indelible mark on English football.

De Gea (Athletico to Manchester United, 2011)

It is a fitting testament to Edwin Van Der Sar’s tenure as Manchester United’s number 1 that upon confirmation of his retirement date, many wondered if United would repeat the mistakes made in replacing Peter Schmeichel. But Sir Alex once again showed his shrewdness in the transfer market in replacing the 40 year old Dutchman with the 21 year old wonder kid. Despite shaky beginnings, De Gea has proven himself a worthy successor to both Schmeichel and Van Der Sar. He has made the PFA Team of the Year four times in six completed seasons and is the first Manchester United player to win the player of the season three times in a row. The good news for United fans is that at 27 years of age, his best days might still be ahead of him.

Toure (Barcelona to Manchester City, 2010)

Fate can be a funny ass thing. Toure left the best club in Europe in 2010 in search of more playing time and more appreciation. He also left because Guardiola didn’t seem to rate him that highly. Now his Manchester City career seems destined to peter out under the same manager. With that been said, the Ivorian and the City fans will remember the six years of undisputed quality he showed at the heart of their midfield. Combining the power of Vieira with the skill of Pogba, Toure ushered in a period of excellence at the blue side of Manchester that would completely alter their history. He is undeniably a Manchester City legend.

Suarez (Ajax to Liverpool, 2011)

With a bite he arrived and with a bite he departed. When Kenny Daglish replaced wantaway striker Torres with Suarez and Carroll, the hope was that Anfield would once again have a big man little man combo to rival the legendary strike partnerships of the past. While it didn’t quite work out that way, it was through no lack of effort from the Uruguayan hitman. When he wasn’t diving, biting and calling people names he was bamboozling defenders, inspiring teammates and scoring gasp inducing goals. He was the striker you loved to hate if you were a rival – even moreso than Diego Costa. But for a generation of Liverpool fans he was the most gifted player they saw in the flesh.

David Silva (Valencia to Manchester City, 2010)

Controversial opinion. De Bruyne cannot be the best player in the Premier league. He’s not even the best player in his team. That goes to the man City fans affectionately call Merlin. With a left leg part wand and part sledgehammer, Silva has been quietly orchestrating City’s midfield for quite a few seasons now. That’s not to say he hasn’t had flashier teammates. He won’t score the most goals or even assist the most goals. He won’t play the most games or run the most miles. But Silva is City’s brain. This hasn’t been lost on his coaches as he has been a key player for Pellegrini, Mancini and now Guardiola. When he plays, more often than not he’s City’s best player. And unlike De Bruyne, he’s been doing this for years.

Hazard (Lille to Chelsea, 2012)

When Eden Hazard – legend of many a Championship Manager edition – decided he was going to leave France in the 2012 summer, it alerted all the top Premier League clubs. The two Manchester clubs showed significant interest but the Belgian youngster decided to join Chelsea, then European champions. Was it the prospect of playing in London? Did his agent get offered more money? Did Di Matteo give him assurances of his playing time? It didn’t matter because once he donned the Chelsea colours, it became evident what all the fuss was about. His pace, close control and fantastic dribbling endeared him to the Stamford Bridge faithful and made himself a target for rival players and managers. He has not only established himself as a Chelsea legend, but one of the finest players in Chelsea’s history.

Aguero (Athletico Madrid to Manchester City, 2011)

With a strike of his right boot, Kun Aguero changed Manchester City’s destiny forever. This is no exaggeration. The difference between Sir Alex leading Manchester United to yet another Premiership title and Manchester City winning their first, was the Argentine’s last minute winner. Beyond that goal, he has written himself in the history books in several ways. He is Manchester City’s highest goalscorer. He is the highest non-European goal scorer in Premier League history. His five goals against Newcastle in 2015 were the fastest of any player to have scored a quintet. But if he isn’t remembered for anything else, he will always be remembered as the man responsible for the most dramatic moment in Premier League history.