According to BBC Sport, the Premier League spent £870 million this year—a record figure. Speculation is over (until around November anyway), so we can finally focus on actual football.
In doing so, and in an homage to the past three months, we must review which English protagonists have done the best transfer work.
Xherdan Shaqiri to Stoke City
From: Inter Milan (Italy)
Transfer Fee: £12 million
Signed from Bayern Munich on January 9, Xherdan Shaqiri's move to Inter Milan was meant to be long term. Six months later, though, the Switzerland international finds himself at Stoke City.
It's an interesting deviation in his career path for sure, but it's also a terrific capture for Mark Hughes' burgeoning squad of former European wunderkinds.
For £12 million, Shaqiri is an absolute steal. The 23-year-old is a world-class technician possessing the unteachable attribute of pace. His only hurdle seems to be understanding the speed and power of the Premier League, and that should come with time.
Transfer Fee: £12 million
Signed from Bayern Munich on January 9, Xherdan Shaqiri's move to Inter Milan was meant to be long term. Six months later, though, the Switzerland international finds himself at Stoke City.
It's an interesting deviation in his career path for sure, but it's also a terrific capture for Mark Hughes' burgeoning squad of former European wunderkinds.
For £12 million, Shaqiri is an absolute steal. The 23-year-old is a world-class technician possessing the unteachable attribute of pace. His only hurdle seems to be understanding the speed and power of the Premier League, and that should come with time.
Petr Cech to Arsenal
From: Chelsea (England)
Transfer Fee: £10 million
Arsenal were the only club in Europe's top five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga) who did not spend money on an outfield player this summer.
Luckily for Arsene Wenger, the one player he paid for is arguably the Premier League's greatest goalkeeper ever: Petr Cech.
Costing just £10 million, Arsenal now have a dependable, world-class "No. 1," something they have not enjoyed since Jens Lehmann, some may even argue David Seaman.
A shaky start against West Ham United was reconciled with a standing ovation-worthy performance against Liverpool. Growing familiarity with Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista should see Cech take and extend the Premier League's all-time clean sheets record.
Transfer Fee: £10 million
Arsenal were the only club in Europe's top five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga) who did not spend money on an outfield player this summer.
Luckily for Arsene Wenger, the one player he paid for is arguably the Premier League's greatest goalkeeper ever: Petr Cech.
Costing just £10 million, Arsenal now have a dependable, world-class "No. 1," something they have not enjoyed since Jens Lehmann, some may even argue David Seaman.
A shaky start against West Ham United was reconciled with a standing ovation-worthy performance against Liverpool. Growing familiarity with Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista should see Cech take and extend the Premier League's all-time clean sheets record.
Yohan Cabaye to Crystal Palace
From: Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Transfer Fee: £10 million
Leaving Newcastle United might have been a poor decision in hindsight for Yohan Cabaye. His short-lived adventure at Paris Saint-Germain—though trophy-filled—was rather uninspired.
It seemed the Frenchman did not feel loved in the big Parisian pond.
But his former Magpie boss Alan Pardew moved clubs to Crystal Palace, PSG felt like selling and Cabaye felt like switching capital cities. Thus, the ingredients for a brilliant transfer were available.
£10 million is a relatively hefty number for the Eagles, but considering Cabaye's pedigree, international standing and English experience, Palace could have landed few better midfielders than the 29-year-old for that price.
Transfer Fee: £10 million
Leaving Newcastle United might have been a poor decision in hindsight for Yohan Cabaye. His short-lived adventure at Paris Saint-Germain—though trophy-filled—was rather uninspired.
It seemed the Frenchman did not feel loved in the big Parisian pond.
But his former Magpie boss Alan Pardew moved clubs to Crystal Palace, PSG felt like selling and Cabaye felt like switching capital cities. Thus, the ingredients for a brilliant transfer were available.
£10 million is a relatively hefty number for the Eagles, but considering Cabaye's pedigree, international standing and English experience, Palace could have landed few better midfielders than the 29-year-old for that price.
James Milner to Liverpool
From: Manchester City (England)
Transfer Fee: Free
James Milner is a Swiss Army knife of Premier League football. Excluding goalkeeper and centre-forward, the 29-year-old Englishman can capably play anywhere a manager requires.
Being a "master of none" makes Milner appear disposable. It seems clubs feel they can find tailored options rather than have Milner fill gaps. What happens, though, when gaps need filling? One needs a "jack of all trades."
Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and England have made use of Milner's versatility, and now, one of England's most unpredictable managers, Brendan Rodgers, gets his turn on a free transfer.
Signing the preferred midfielder gives the Northern Irish boss as many tactical options as there are positions Milner can play.
From: Olympique de Marseille (France)
Transfer Fee: Free
After four matches, three goals and an assist, Swansea City have, possibly, the best transfer of this summer window in former Olympique de Marseille star Andre Ayew.
The 25-year-old attacker has made the Premier League his playground.
Linking with Bafetimbi Gomis, Jefferson Montero, Jonjo Shelvey, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ki Sung-Yueng and others, the Ghanaian international—son of three-time African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele—has added a new dimension to Garry Monk's side.
As Ayew cost only his wages and the paper on which his contract was printed, Swansea should consider themselves blessed to have found his level of production for free.
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Transfer Fee: Free
James Milner is a Swiss Army knife of Premier League football. Excluding goalkeeper and centre-forward, the 29-year-old Englishman can capably play anywhere a manager requires.
Being a "master of none" makes Milner appear disposable. It seems clubs feel they can find tailored options rather than have Milner fill gaps. What happens, though, when gaps need filling? One needs a "jack of all trades."
Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and England have made use of Milner's versatility, and now, one of England's most unpredictable managers, Brendan Rodgers, gets his turn on a free transfer.
Signing the preferred midfielder gives the Northern Irish boss as many tactical options as there are positions Milner can play.
Andre Ayew to Swansea City
Transfer Fee: Free
After four matches, three goals and an assist, Swansea City have, possibly, the best transfer of this summer window in former Olympique de Marseille star Andre Ayew.
The 25-year-old attacker has made the Premier League his playground.
Linking with Bafetimbi Gomis, Jefferson Montero, Jonjo Shelvey, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ki Sung-Yueng and others, the Ghanaian international—son of three-time African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele—has added a new dimension to Garry Monk's side.
As Ayew cost only his wages and the paper on which his contract was printed, Swansea should consider themselves blessed to have found his level of production for free.
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