Andre Ayew among five top signings in the English Premier League

Published on: 25 February 2016

WITH just 12 games of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign left to play, here's my five top signings of the season, the players who have taken the game by storm or helped raise their team to the next level...

DIMITRI PAYET (West Ham United)

CONSIDERING the level he's been playing at and the fact they only paid £10m for his services, it was no surprise to see West Ham tie Payet down to a new five-year deal recently.

One or two clubs will have been looking at him and trying to nick him because he is one of those players who could easily go on to one of the bigger sides in the league and make a notable difference.

The deal to bring him to West Ham is a great example of a team having a good feel for the market, a good scouting network, and knowing players and their contract status.

That intelligence, plus the growing level of finance in the Premier League, means teams in the middle and lower mid-table bracket can afford to pay bigger fees and salaries to attract top players.

In years gone by, Payet would probably have gone to a Liverpool or a team like that.

NGOLO KANTE (Leicester City)

HE has been a revelation since arriving from Caen in the summer. He is another player that plenty of clubs will be looking at because of the role he plays and what he does for his team.

He is the modern-day holding midfield player, one who is able to break up play but then launch stinging counter-attacks.

He's also technically very good on the ball, a newer version of Claude Makelele.

But in truth, Kante has re-invented that role with his performances this season. They are a key reason why Leicester are top of the league.

ANDRE AYEW (Swansea City)

THE Swans have not had a great season, but every time I have watched them I have been impressed by Ayew.

He plays wide, but is a goal threat, a player who if he was in a team with a bit more confidence would have even more impact.

He seems to have a good attitude after joining on a free transfer from Marseille. He is a player who has come to enjoy the Premier League. No surprise that he was a team-mate of Payet at Marseille.

Swansea will have had to pay him a reasonable salary to attract him, but if they manage to stay up then a great deal of that will have been down to him.

PETR CECH (Arsenal)

HE cost £10m, but that was an outstanding bit of business by Arsenal.

The former Chelsea man was excellent in the Champions League against Barcelona on Tuesday, before he was finally beaten by some Messi magic.

Nevertheless, he's brought real stability and security to Arsenal, and if they do win the title this year he will have played a big part in that.

He's been there and done it when it comes to winning titles. I think he's been an outstanding signing.

XHERDAN SHAQIRI (Stoke City)

THE Swiss has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe but his signing has helped to take his football club to another level.

He's another example of the type of player teams like Stoke are now able to attract because of the Premier League's financial muscle.

Shaqiri, a £12m signing from Inter Milan, has shown moments of brilliance, as with his two goals at Everton, and been frustrating.

But he has shown how well he can link up with Marko Arnautovic and Bojan. Between them, they have terrorised the back four of some big teams, and if Stoke can sign a proven centre-forward then I think they can be a real threat.

Shaqiri has shown only glimpses of his precocious talent so far, but on his day he can take any defence apart and score goals.

 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more