Ten loan moves that will prove to be more productive than Falcao’s at Old Trafford.
It’s fair to say that Falcao’s deadline day move to Manchester United came as a shock, but with reports of a recurring injury and with just one solitary goal to his name, the deal is in danger of becoming a rather unproductive move all round. Below are ten loan deals that worked out better.
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10. Jermain Defoe – West Ham to Bournemouth, 2000/01
It was the move that launched a fruitful and prolific career. Then Hammers boss Harry Redknapp sent 18-year-old Jermain Defoe to Bournemouth to gain some regular first-team football and he came back having bagged 18 goals in 27 appearances – including ten in successive games. Defoe would go on to enjoy a long career with Spurs, Portsmouth and England.
9. Ivan Campo – Real Madrid to Bolton Wanderers, 2002/03
Campo was once a regular in the Real Madrid side, so when Sam Allardyce sprang to bring him to the northwest it was considered as one hell of a coup. His influence heeled the club survive relegation and he signed on a permanent deal the following summer. He spent five years as a mainstay of the side that saw them clock up a League Cup victory and their first foray into Europe.
8. Robbie Keane – Tottenham to Celtic, 2010
Keane has always been a prolific marksman, but none more so than when he arrived in Glasgow – bagging 16 goals in just 19 games between January and May. It was a run that saw him collect the club’s player of the Season award.
7. Fernando Morientes – Real Madrid to Monaco, 2003/04
The former Spanish international was deemed surplus to requirements in Madrid, so they loaned him to Monaco where he bagged 28 goals in 42 appearances. That also included him claiming the Champions League golden boot on the way to the final where the French side lost out to Porto.
6. Carlos Tevez – West Ham to Manchester United, 2007/09
The Argentine proved a popular figure when he arrived at Old Trafford on a two-year loan deal from West Ham. He may not have been overtly prolific, but he formed one third of a truly attacking line up alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. It also says a lot that he helped the club to six titles in the space of two seasons, but his exit ended on a sour note amongst fans.
5. Edgar Davids – Juventus to Barcelona, 2004
The Dutchman was an absolute revelation in his short time at the Camp Nou in 2004, where he helped transform the side from mid-table no hopers into runners up behind Valencia. He proved to be the catalyst for a transformation and remains popular amongst the club’s fans to this day.
4. Christophe Duggary – Bordeaux to Birmingham, 2003
Duggary had an arrogance about him that transcended what he did on the pitch, but combined it earned him legendary status in Birmingham as a run of five goals in 15 appearances helped cement the club’s status in the Premier League. He signed permanently the following year, but despite his form dipping he was still inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
3. Romelu Lukakau – Chelsea to West Bromwich Albion, 2012/13
The ‘new Drogba’ wasn’t having much luck at Chelsea so they sent him out to the West Midlands where he helped the club to safety by notching up 17 goals in 38 game, thus proving that he was good enough to make it in the Premier League.
2. Jurgen Klinsmann – Sampdoria to Tottenham, 1997/98
Returning for his second spell at the club, the World Cup winner helped Spurs survive a tricky season by notching nine goals in 15 appearances. Firmly established as a club legend and even spawned a whole new celebration with the nosedive during his first spell.
1. Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea to Atletico Madrid, 2011-2014
The Belgian stopper proved to be a very useful addition to a strong Atletico side as they shocked everyone in winning the La Liga title last season. He also helped the club on an extended run in the Champions League as well as establishing himself as his country’s first choice.
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