Premier League fans have been raving about Alex Song, but where does he rank among the best loan players ever…
West Ham United have enjoyed an excellent start to the season, and that has partly been down to the success of on loan midfielder Alex Song, who arrived from Barcelona last summer, and has hugely impressed supporters.
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Hammers fans were dancing with delight after Song’s brilliant pass set up Stewart Downing for their third goal in a comfortable victory over Hull City on Sunday, and are understandably desperate to see the former Arsenal man tied down to a permanent deal.
But is he the best loan player the Premier League has ever seen? Below, we count down the 10 best starts to feature in the top flight, while on loan from another club:
10) Christophe Dugarry (Birmingham City)
A veteran French international and a World Cup winner, Dugarry joined Birmingham from Bordeaux in 2003, and helped fire them to Premier League safety with five goals in 15 games.
9) Henrik Larsson (Manchester United)
Made the surprise move in 2007, scoring three goals during his brief spell at Old Trafford, helping United to a first Premier League title in four years.
8) Gareth Barry (Everton)
Moved to Goodison Park from Manchester City in the summer of 2013, after falling out of favour at the Etihad Stadium. Impressed enough to earn a permanent move last year.
7) Ivan Campo (Bolton Wanderers)
A Spanish international and a semi-regular at Real Madrid, Campo made the surprise switch in 2002, and helped keep Bolton in the Premier League. He would then join permanently, staying until 2008.
6) Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea City)
Came from relative obscurity, lighting up the Premier League with the Swans, and earning a move to Tottenham. While things didn’t work out in North London, he has continued to impress now back in Wales.
5) Daniel Sturridge (Bolton Wanderers)
Announced himself as a Premier League quality player with eight goals in 12 league games to keep Bolton safely in the top flight. He would move to Liverpool 18 months later.
4) Kevin Campbell (Everton)
Scored nine goals in eight league games to guide Everton to safety, finish the season as the club’s top scorer, and earn himself a permanent move in the summer of 1999.
3) Alex Song (West Ham United)
After struggling to make an impact at Barcelona, the former Arsenal man moved to West Ham, where he has arguably been the club’s stand-out player so far this season.
2) Romelu Lukaku (West Bromwich Albion & Everton)
The former Chelsea striker has twice impressed during loan spells, first at West Brom, then at Everton, meaning the Blues were able to sell him for £28m last summer, despite him never scoring a goal for them.
1) Jurgen Klinsmann (Tottenham Hotspur)
Scored 20 league goals during his one permanent season with the club, prior to joining Bayern Munich in 1995. Much to the delight of the White Hart Lane faithful, he returned via Sampdoria in 1997, scoring another nine goals.
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