The nine biggest bargains and how they’re doing this season.
Amidst all the big money deals that were flying around over the summer, there were a few that made it under the radar for little or nothing at all. We sorted through all the deals that went down between July to September to bring to you the nine best bargain deals to take a look at how they’re all getting on.
9. Costel Pantilimon – Sunderland (Free)
The giant Romanian ran down his contract at Man City and made the move to the Stadium of Light in order to get a more regular run of games. However, having seen his place blocked by fellow new recruit Vito Mannone, Pantilimon had to wait his turn.
That came at the tail end of last year, when his Italian counterpart ran through a crisis of confidence and quite clearly needed some time out. Since then Pantilimon has made thew number one spot his own and has kept Sunderland in several games with a string of fine performances.
8. Andrew Robertson – Hull City (£2.85m)
A modest capture during a season of heavy spending at the KC Stadium, and the young Scot has gone on to outshine a number of his more expensive new teammates with several strong showings on the left.
Still 20, there is room for him to grow into a top class player, and his transitions from defence into attack have made him a tremendous asset for the Tigers on the left flank.
7. Aaron Cresswell – West Ham United (£4m)
After being circled by a series of Premier League sides for the past two years, West Ham took a huge gamble by shelling out £4m for his signature.
Though we’re only at the halfway point in the season, Cresswell’s form has been superb as he has handled the change from the Championship to the Premier League with consummate ease. His crossing is a strong point to his game, and if he can keep it up he’ll be receiving a call up from Roy Hodgson soon enough.
6. Bojan – Stoke City (£1.5m)
Bojan may not have hit the heights that many had expected him to, but for a player that has toured some of Europe’s finest clubs after fighting his way out of Barca’s academy he was a snip at just £1.5m.
He may have only scored three goals for the Potters so far, but his impact on the club as a whole has seen their image shift from what it was under Tony Pulis to something a little more continental.
5. Diafra Sakho – West Ham United (£4m)
Perhaps the most important addition to Big Sam’s summer overhaul. The Senegalese international has been a revelation in keeping the Hammers up at the right end of the table after being so drab last term.
His eight goals so far are already making him look like a snip at just £4m, and luckily for them he has been left out of Senegal’s squad for the African Cup of Nations this month.
4. Gylfi Sigurdsson – Swansea City (£8m)
Considering the problems that Spurs are having this term, it’s amazing to think that they let the Icelandic midfielder join a rival club.
But since making his switch to Swansea a permanent one, he has been an unmitigated hit. While £8m isn’t cheap he has played like a player worth three times that at times this term. With Wilfried Bony now out the way, the Swans will be relying on him even more to keep them in the right ares of the table.
3. Ayoze Perez – Newcastle United (£1.5m)
The young Spaniard has exploded onto the Premier League scene this season, transforming himself from a complete unknown to a household name in a matter of goals.
Gifted with silky feet and an eye for goal, he is beginning to feature more prominently in a Newcastle team that still can’t get their act together and push on. A real bright spark in an otherwise bland season.
2. Dusan Tadic – Southampton (£10m)
While £10m cannot exactly be considered as a bargain, Tadic’s impact on the Saints has been instrumental as they transform from what they were last term into what they are now.
And furthermore, he has produced a series of £10m performances. He has made sure that nobody is missing Adam Lallana and his partnership with Graziano Pelle has been impressive to say the least.
1. Frank Lampard – Manchester City (Loan)
One of the stories of the season so far has been Frank Lampard’s continued rolling back of the years. Used in a more cameo role the former England man has shone and not looked like a player anywhere close to 36 years of age.
Chelsea’s thinking that he is beyond his best may come back to bite them, as he continues to score freely and keep the pressure on his former club in the race for the Premier League title. Sadly, this will be his last season in English football, having recently confirmed that he will be heading to the MLS at the end of the season.