The signings of the season May 13 2008
Justin Zehmke takes a look at the most crucial signings of the 2007/08 Premier League campaign.
Fernando Torres - Liverpool
In the days surrounding Liverpool's signing of Fernando Torres the air was filled with doubters and naysayers claiming that the young Spaniard wasn't a 'natural goalscorer' and would bag 15 goals a season at most.
Having just notched up the highest goal tally by a non-English debutant in the Premier League, beating Ruud van Nistelrooy's record in the process, the doubters have been well and truly silenced.
Torres is already an Anfield legend and has a knack for scoring crucial goals in front of the Kop. If Rafael Benitez can find him an effective strike partner Liverpool could very well challenge for the title next season.
Bacary Sagna - Arsenal
Arsenal fans may claim that Arsene Wenger has found another previously unknown superstar but that would be displaying a complete ignorance of Sagna's status in French football before his move to England.
Nevertheless, at an estimated £6.1m, Sagna was an absolute steal for the Gunners. As cool in defence as he is dangerous in attack, Sagna has all the attributes Arsenal traditionally require in a right-back. It can be no coincidence that the Gunners season faltered in the wake of Sagna's injury against Chelsea.
Elano - Manchester City
Fernando Torres may be a better player, but Elano was one third as expensive. Sven Goran Eriksson was widely derided for forking out £8m on a player who was almost completely unknown on these shores (despite him being a Brazilian International). The Brazilian was instrumental in keeping City in the top ten and even pushing for a UEFA Cup spot before their season suffered a mini implosion.
Vincent Palacios - Wigan
When Steve Bruce made his surprise exit from Birmingham, he brought Palacios with him to Wigan. The £1m Honduras midfielder immediately settled in at the JJB Stadium and it is largely down to his pacy runs and dangerous crosses that the Latics will enjoy another season in the top flight. Rumours are already rampant that he could be spirited away by a top-four club with Manchester United looking the most likely destination.
Roque Santa Cruz - Blackburn
What is it with Blackburn Rovers and debutant strikers. Last season Benni McCarthy ended up as the Premier League's second highest scorer and it seemed unlikely that he would spend most of the following season warming the bench. Step up Roque Santa Cruz. At £3.5m the Paraguayan is undoubtedly the bargain of the season, having signed for Rovers from Bayern Munich. He has netted an incredible 24 goals for Rovers and Mark Hughes will certainly have a fight on his hands to fend off a long line of suitors.
Jermain Defoe - Portsmouth
Tottenham fans must be shaking their heads in disbelief. Defoe was sold to Portsmouth for a measly £7.1m, having failed to hold down a regular spot in the first team. Meanwhile Darren Bent, bought for an outlandish £16.5m was retained. Defoe promptly set about demonstrating the White Hart Lane suits' idiocy by banging in goals for fun at Pompey, scoring eight in his first ten games.
Carlos Tevez - Manchester United
Not really a surprising inclusion as we all knew Tevez's worth before he joined the Red Devils. He may not be a 20 goal a season striker but his ability to create openings for teammates and his knack of scoring vital goals means that he was instrumental in United retaining their league title. Just how much he will end up costing the club is still up in the air but United may argue that any price is a bargain.
Anderson - Manchester United
The fact that he probably cost around £15m tarnishes the acquisition of Brazilian youngster Anderson somewhat, as he can't exactly be called a bargain. Yet performances that belie his youth and the football vision of a far more experienced player have the United faithful claiming that they have finally found a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes.
He announced his arrival during the 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield where he dominated the midfield to such an extent that Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard lost his temper and headbutted Anderson.
Jonathan Woodgate - Tottenham
Tottenham's defence underwent a transformation upon the arrival of Woodgate from Middlesbrough. They stopped leaking soft goals and, on the rare occasion that Ledley King was fit to play, Spurs actually looked capable of holding onto a lead.
Justin Zehmke