The most expensive transfers Premiership style - Part Two
Friday, 03 July 09, 06:32 AM · Comments(5)
Hi and hello football fans, as promised I'm back today with part two of "The most expensive transfers Premiership style". To check out part one click HERE.
So with further delay, let's get stuck in.
2000/01 Rio Ferdinand to Leeds - £18m - Grade = C 
Whilst on the surface it looks a good move, it only gets a C in my book.
Rio had two excellent seasons at Elland Road which saw Leeds reach the Champions League Semi Final's, but the problems where starting to mount behind the scenes at United and eventually they went in to receivership and transfers like Rio's didn't help the matter.
Of course I'm not blaming the Rio transfer for why Leeds went bust - £7m on Seth Johnson is much worse! But it was the signature piece of an era of excess that ultimately started them on the path to bankruptcy and the lower leagues.
2001/02 Juan S Veron to United - £28.1m - Grade = F+
This one get an F+ and not an F like Rebrov's only because United managed to get half back of what they paid for him two years later from Chelsea, also they managed to win a League title whilst he way playing which was quite an achievement......
Questions over his performance led to an expletive laden tirade against the media by manager Alex Ferguson in support of Veron -
"...On you go. I'm not fucking talking to you. He's a fucking great player. You are all fucking idiots."
Hopefully United buying Michael Owen will turn out something like that......
2002/03 Rio Ferdinand to United - £29.1m - Grade = A
This transfer made Rio the most expensive defender in the world, as well as becoming Britain's most expensive player for the second time in two years. I'd say it was worth it. Four Premiership titles as well as a Champions league and a couple of League and Fa cups!!!
Not bad for the Merk from Peckham.
This will go up to an A+ should he win a couple of more league titles of another Champions league as we need just a little bit more to gloss over the fact he was suspended for 8 months due to a missed drugs test.
Side note - at last weeks infamous Friday party a guy who looked like Rio was largely responsible for my rather large bar tab and lets just say he might have got an 9 month ban too......
2003/04 Damien Duff to Chelsea - £17m - Grade = D 
The man who permanently looks like he has just woke up cost Chelsea more money than Crespo, Makelele and Joe Cole who all joined the Blues that same summer.............
Duff kind of reminds me a bit of David Bentley, very good at Blackburn...... Pretty crap everywhere else.
He did win a bit of Silverware whilst at Stamford Bridge but I don't think it was really down to him.
You can now find him in a HMV Bargain Bucket somewhere in Newcastle.
2004/05 Wayne Rooney to United - £27m - Grade = B+
I will make this an A or A+ the moment Rooney is United most important striker and scores over 20 goals in a league season.
Rooney has been very god for United and I'm sure if I revisit this in a couple of years time it will be a higher grade but for now for me it's a B+.
Now with C-Ron gone it's Rooney chance to be the main man, will he be up to the task?
I guess time will tell.
2005/06 Micheal Essien to Chelsea - £24.4m - Grade = A
For my money, Essien whilst at Chelsea has become the best defensive midfielder in the world and I still fell that £24.4m is a bargain!
Injury hurt him last season but other than that he has been super consistent and a driving force for Chelsea who allows Fat Frank to score the goals he does.
It would b an A+ but only one league title and two FA Cups hold it back, but don't worry Michael, you have plenty of time to change that.
2006/07 Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea - £30m - Grade = F
Funny how both Sheva and Rebrov both made this list....... Well Sheva does have an excuse, he was already at the back end of his career.
£30m = 9 league goals in two season........... That's a little over £3m per goal.
It really is a shame that one of the most feared strikers over the last decade was reduced to a laughing stock since moving to West London.
I try to remember him back in the good old days but believe me...... It's hard to do.
2007/08 Darren Bent to Tottenham - £16.5m - Grade = E+
The man who famously cost more than a certain Mr Henry has played about as much like Henry since joining Spurs as I would.
To be fair to Bent ( never buy a striker called Bent) he has not been as bad as he is made out to be but never the less he's still been bad........... Michael Jackson BAD.
I guess since he is still at Spurs we can't close the book on him just yet, but don't expect any 20/30 goal seasons anytime soon.
2008/09 Robinho to Manchester City - £32.5m - Grade = B
His goal scoring record in the league for City has been pretty good - 14 in 30 - which is almost 1 in 2.
His goal scoring record in Europe has not been as good - 1 in 10 - which is basically....... 1 in 10........
I expect more from him in season two but for now I think he has done alright.
Will be pretty exciting to see him with Tevez and Eto'o next season...... If they come that is......
Take care
Football Guy
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Football_Guy
London, GB
If you like Football and pop culture you have come to the right place!
5 Comments · Add yours
It's great to see The Spuds in there for Rebrov & Bent. I love to see them waste their money.
Nice posts! what are your thoughts on the other Man Utd misfit, Diego Forlan? Although he actually had quite a good record at united, Fergie didn't value him and let him go. I think he did quite well the following season? don't know the prices though...
When I saw that this Owen to Manure business, I couldnt beleive it cause didn't you half predict that a while ago in one of your blogs.
I can't remember which one, but you were saying something along the lines of when Owen leaves and says "he went to win things" i.e Real, then Real won nothing, and the scousers the champs league.
well I too hope that he says that famous quote, and brings the curse of the quote to Manure.....
Good prediction... (in a way)
Reply to IAWWT:
Maybe that is his secret plan!!!
United's doomed... 
i thought Michael Jackson bad meant good, but in a dangerous LA street punk way.