Signing of the Summer

Sivahari · 5th September 2008, 01:50

World Football Round Table : "What's Your Signing Of The Summer?"

by Salaar Shamsi (Senior Writer)

The Bleacher Report World Football Round Tables are back!
We asked several of our top writers : "What is Your Signing of the Summer and Why?"

Salaar Shamsi
The shock of the summer was definitely Robinho's move to City. However, there were other big moves like Ronaldinho going to Milan, Deco to Chelsea, Keane to Liverpool, Nasri to Arsenal, Van der Vaart to Madrid, Hleb to Barcelona, Quaresma to Inter and Berbatov to United.
I'm going to stick with Dimitar Berbatov's move to Manchester United as my 'signing of the summer' because Berbatov is deadly finisher, he has an amazing first touch, he has loads of quality and he will add another dimension to Manchester United.

Andrew McNair
For me it has to be Deco. I chose him as my transfer of the summer originally and see no reason to change my mind. Two goals (both of which were pretty spectacular) in his first three games and remains undefeated with Chelsea.

The transfer fee of under £10 million is a snip for such a talented individual and must be a factor when considering the buy of the summer.

Deco is a special player and I expect the Portuguese international to hit double figures in goals and assists this season and challenge for the player of the season awards. I just hope he can stay fit.

Salomon Gonzales
There is a group of players that gain their fame through spectacular dribbles, outstanding technique, or by scoring a great number of goals. Deco isn't necessarily one of these players. What he stands out for is his huge passing ability, his vision on the field, and his decisiveness.
Oftentimes, Deco is the kind of player you don't really see on the pitch, but without whom, his team would be utterly inefficient.
Deco will have his work cut out for him. With Lampard and Essien signing new five-year contracts, and Ballack having already declared his intentions of ending his career at Chelsea, Deco may well form a formidable quartet of midfielders that compliment each other's game.
He's a bright start to his Chelsea career scoring two goals in his first three games. Although, in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham he was truly awful.
Deco offers a new dimension to Chelsea and his slick one-two football is sure to dazzle many Premiership followers.

Stefan Vasilev
There have been a lot of high profile signings during this summer.
In my opinion, one signing stands above all others. That's Berbatov going to Manchester United. He is exactly what United need.
His style is very different from the one most United players have and he will surely add another dimension to the team.

Thomas Leemon
This summer has had a lot of surprises. I think the biggest surprise is Robinho going to Manchester City. Robinho is not the biggest signing of the summer though, Ronaldinho is. Ronaldinho was bought by AC Milan to help the club get more firepower. Last season, they failed to even qualify for the Champions League.
Ronaldinho was brought in to fix this for the next season. Ronaldinho was unhappy at Barcelona for reasons I won't discuss. However, now he is at a new club with fellow Brazillian, Kaka. I think these two players will rip the opposition apart in Serie A. We'll see what happens.

Alan McGuinness
At first my instinct was to say Deco, but after Manchester United nabbed him on transfer deadline day, I'll have to go with Berbatov. With him in the side, Manchester United will have a frightening attacking quartet that will almost guarantee you goals. He can have the odd game where he just sulks, but when he is on top form he is almost unplayable, much like Didier Drogba for Chelsea.
It could be the signing that means the title will stay at Old Trafford for a third consecutive season.

Mark Andrew
It's hard for me to say who I think is the best buy of the summer because there have been many for starters, plus there are players who haven’t kicked a ball for their new club's yet.
Samir Nasri is looking good at Arsenal up to now, Coloccini had a fantastic debut at Old Trafford for Newcastle, Djibril Cisse had a great debut—as did Shaun Wright Phillips on his return to Manchester City. Then we have City's new boy Robinho who could be a revelation and Dimitar Berbatov at Man United, both of whom haven’t kicked a ball for their respective clubs as of yet.
Pavlyuchenko, Bentley, and Modric at Spurs could be good buys for Juande Ramos, come the end of the season.
So who do I vote as the best buy of the summer up to now? Well there is only one man and it has to be Deco of Chelsea, two goals in his opening two Premier League games, I thought players were supposed to settle in! It just shows that when you actually buy quality it doesn’t matter where they go, they will perform.
Ask me in a month’s time, I might have changed my mind, it could be Berbatov or even Robinho—but for now it is Deco.

Alex Dimond
Talk about difficult decisions! Honourable mentions to Hatem Ben Arfa, who will prove an adept replacement for Samir Nasri at Marseille and Ivan Klasnic (how did Nantes pull of his signature?!) but my vote goes with Rafael Van Der Vaart.
The Dutchman delivered on the promise he has always shown at Euro 2008, and for nine million euros he cannot be considered anything less than an absolute bargain. I fully expect the Dutchman to prosper at the Bernabeu for many years to come—Hamburg's loss is very much Real Madrid's gain.
Having said that, the German club's capture of Brazilian Thiago Neves should ease their pain, I will be very interested to see how the 23-year-old gets on in such a talented young team.
Yes, I have taken the easy way out and pretty much named four transfers. I just couldn't decide!

Jonathan Marum
I have been most impressed with is Newcastle United's capture of Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca. I just think this guy looks fantastic; he's quick, good with the ball at his feet but aware of his team-mates too. His link up play with Obafemi Martins at Old Trafford against Manchester United was impressive, and it was a great début. He is a good crosser of the ball as well.
He only needs to add more goals to his repertoire to become the world-class player I believe he can be. He is an important player now that James Milner has gone and I believe he can handle the added expectation, which could help him nail down a regular starting place with Argentina.
A mention also has to go to Robinho. In many ways it doesn't matter how he does at Man City because of the sensational nature of his transfer he is the signing of the season too. I mean not a single person would have predicted that!

Dakota Rubin
It has to be Rafael van der Vaart, purely for what Real Madrid gets for the money. It was a pure steal. Van der Vaart is one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the world and Madrid robbed him from Hamburg for just nine million euros (sure it could get up to 13m with clauses but still).
Not only was he a steal he was also exactly what los Blancos needed in terms of his attitude—think opposite of the self-centered nature of Cristiano Ronaldo—and his position and playing style.
Van der Vaart can fill the void left by Sneijder until he is healthy and begin to take the reins from the ageing Guti who has run Madrid's midfield for years.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I particularly like the fact the many of the writers have chosen Berbatov which simply backs United's stance that they have made a wise investment.

Dominant · 5th September 2008, 04:25

We don't need these writers' choice to know that berbatov will be a great player for us.

If anything quite a few of these cnuts also choose Deco.

Freak · 5th September 2008, 04:27

Definitely Berbatov. With him in the side, it would allow rooney and tevez to play off him, things they love to do. Deco would be a close second.

Christofaux · 5th September 2008, 04:28

Probably because Deco seems like he has played in the premier league for years already.

Alex · 5th September 2008, 05:08

One of Deco, Berbatov, or Robinho, probably one of the formers, as Robinho will soon find City are Shitty still

Slevin · 5th September 2008, 07:21

Dos Santos is a bit of a good signing for Spurs imo. A steal at 4.6mill or whatever they paid.

x42bn6 · 5th September 2008, 07:39

Abu Dhabi.

Best chairman transfer ever.

Ruben · 5th September 2008, 07:39

Degen or Dossena, I just can`t decide.

FlawlessThaw · 5th September 2008, 10:44

Deco has settled in so well so far that he is definitely the front runner for Signing of the Summer.

Elliott · 5th September 2008, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruben

Degen or Dossena, I just can`t decide.

Krap

Count Duckula · 5th September 2008, 12:18

Until we see how Berbatov plays for us, then we can't judge how well he'll do. Personally, though, I think he'll do brilliantly, and that at the end of the year it'll be between himself and Deco as to who was the best signing. It'll probably go to the one who wins the league

Skelter · 5th September 2008, 13:07

Quote:

Deco of Chelsea, two goals in his opening two Premier League games, I thought players were supposed to settle in! It just shows that when you actually buy quality it doesn’t matter where they go, they will perform.
Ask me in a month’s time, I might have changed my mind, it could be Berbatov or even Robinho—but for now it is Deco.

Exactly. This Deco business (and the question) is all a bit premature, the bloke might not score again this season, his record isn't that great.

FlawlessThaw · 5th September 2008, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skelter

Exactly. This Deco business (and the question) is all a bit premature, the bloke might not score again this season, his record isn't that great.

There is however nothing wrong with saying Deco is currently the front-runner.

Skelter · 5th September 2008, 13:34

Yes, it's just a bit silly to have a "What's Your Signing Of The Summer?" after three games.

noodlehair · 5th September 2008, 13:39

Deco was a bargain to be fair.

Berbatov will hopefully be a very good signing, but he was also a fairly obvious one, and expensive.

MehdiMahdavikia · 5th September 2008, 14:09

Deco started the last seasons for Barcelona in top form then seemed like he couldn't be bothered to keep it up. I'm very skeptical that he'll play well for Chelsea all sesason considering, I think he'll be a bit like Veron was for them.

samabachan · 5th September 2008, 14:11

Spidey Gutierrez or Nasri are the bargains of the window for me.

Red-Devil.Finn · 5th September 2008, 14:20

Gutierrez for me, he has really impressed me so far and seems to be the heart of Newcastle's game, good signing.

roodboy · 5th September 2008, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skelter

Yes, it's just a bit silly to have a "What's Your Signing Of The Summer?" after three games.

I agree with that - ridiculous to mention Gutierrez or Deco as signings of the summer as both have plenty to prove in the Prem (I hardly even noticed that Deco was playing against Spurs the other day)

Although I must say that Madrid got a bargain in Van Der Vaart for less than 10million quid and City did well to bring back SWP for half of what they sold him for as well - Andy Johnson and James Milner were more expensive than both of them!

gaffs · 5th September 2008, 14:54

Amr Zaki for Wigan.

Alex · 5th September 2008, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slevin

Dos Santos is a bit of a good signing for Spurs imo. A steal at 4.6mill or whatever they paid.

I thought it was for 9 or 11

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 5th September 2008, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaffs

Amr Zaki for Wigan.

Seconded

Iron Stove · 5th September 2008, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sivahari

Dakota Rubin
It has to be Rafael van der Vaart, purely for what Real Madrid gets for the money. It was a pure steal. Van der Vaart is one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the world and Madrid robbed him from Hamburg for just nine million euros (sure it could get up to 13m with clauses but still).
Not only was he a steal he was also exactly what los Blancos needed in terms of his attitude—think opposite of the self-centered nature of Cristiano Ronaldo—and his position and playing style.

So Van Der Vaart has got a great attitude and isn't self-centered eeh?

Good player though.

Whelan_88 · 5th September 2008, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaffs

Amr Zaki for Wigan.

Agree this guy will score goals and he's on a loan isn't he?

Spiderman has to be there.

I'm not sure about Van Der Vaart, I can't help thinking that now Robinho's gone and when Sneijder comes back they'll stick him wide left and waste him. If he plays in a free role he'll definetly be the signing of the summer when you consider what they paid for him.

I also have a feeling Vincent Kompany will be a big hit at City.

5th September 2008, 01:50	#1 (permalink)
Sivahari Youth Team Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Malaysia Posts: 392	Signing of the Summer World Football Round Table : "What's Your Signing Of The Summer?" by Salaar Shamsi (Senior Writer) The Bleacher Report World Football Round Tables are back! We asked several of our top writers : "What is Your Signing of the Summer and Why?" Salaar Shamsi The shock of the summer was definitely Robinho's move to City. However, there were other big moves like Ronaldinho going to Milan, Deco to Chelsea, Keane to Liverpool, Nasri to Arsenal, Van der Vaart to Madrid, Hleb to Barcelona, Quaresma to Inter and Berbatov to United. I'm going to stick with Dimitar Berbatov's move to Manchester United as my 'signing of the summer' because Berbatov is deadly finisher, he has an amazing first touch, he has loads of quality and he will add another dimension to Manchester United. Andrew McNair For me it has to be Deco. I chose him as my transfer of the summer originally and see no reason to change my mind. Two goals (both of which were pretty spectacular) in his first three games and remains undefeated with Chelsea. The transfer fee of under £10 million is a snip for such a talented individual and must be a factor when considering the buy of the summer. Deco is a special player and I expect the Portuguese international to hit double figures in goals and assists this season and challenge for the player of the season awards. I just hope he can stay fit. Salomon Gonzales There is a group of players that gain their fame through spectacular dribbles, outstanding technique, or by scoring a great number of goals. Deco isn't necessarily one of these players. What he stands out for is his huge passing ability, his vision on the field, and his decisiveness. Oftentimes, Deco is the kind of player you don't really see on the pitch, but without whom, his team would be utterly inefficient. Deco will have his work cut out for him. With Lampard and Essien signing new five-year contracts, and Ballack having already declared his intentions of ending his career at Chelsea, Deco may well form a formidable quartet of midfielders that compliment each other's game. He's a bright start to his Chelsea career scoring two goals in his first three games. Although, in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham he was truly awful. Deco offers a new dimension to Chelsea and his slick one-two football is sure to dazzle many Premiership followers. Stefan Vasilev There have been a lot of high profile signings during this summer. In my opinion, one signing stands above all others. That's Berbatov going to Manchester United. He is exactly what United need. His style is very different from the one most United players have and he will surely add another dimension to the team. Thomas Leemon This summer has had a lot of surprises. I think the biggest surprise is Robinho going to Manchester City. Robinho is not the biggest signing of the summer though, Ronaldinho is. Ronaldinho was bought by AC Milan to help the club get more firepower. Last season, they failed to even qualify for the Champions League. Ronaldinho was brought in to fix this for the next season. Ronaldinho was unhappy at Barcelona for reasons I won't discuss. However, now he is at a new club with fellow Brazillian, Kaka. I think these two players will rip the opposition apart in Serie A. We'll see what happens. Alan McGuinness At first my instinct was to say Deco, but after Manchester United nabbed him on transfer deadline day, I'll have to go with Berbatov. With him in the side, Manchester United will have a frightening attacking quartet that will almost guarantee you goals. He can have the odd game where he just sulks, but when he is on top form he is almost unplayable, much like Didier Drogba for Chelsea. It could be the signing that means the title will stay at Old Trafford for a third consecutive season. Mark Andrew It's hard for me to say who I think is the best buy of the summer because there have been many for starters, plus there are players who haven’t kicked a ball for their new club's yet. Samir Nasri is looking good at Arsenal up to now, Coloccini had a fantastic debut at Old Trafford for Newcastle, Djibril Cisse had a great debut—as did Shaun Wright Phillips on his return to Manchester City. Then we have City's new boy Robinho who could be a revelation and Dimitar Berbatov at Man United, both of whom haven’t kicked a ball for their respective clubs as of yet. Pavlyuchenko, Bentley, and Modric at Spurs could be good buys for Juande Ramos, come the end of the season. So who do I vote as the best buy of the summer up to now? Well there is only one man and it has to be Deco of Chelsea, two goals in his opening two Premier League games, I thought players were supposed to settle in! It just shows that when you actually buy quality it doesn’t matter where they go, they will perform. Ask me in a month’s time, I might have changed my mind, it could be Berbatov or even Robinho—but for now it is Deco. Alex Dimond Talk about difficult decisions! Honourable mentions to Hatem Ben Arfa, who will prove an adept replacement for Samir Nasri at Marseille and Ivan Klasnic (how did Nantes pull of his signature?!) but my vote goes with Rafael Van Der Vaart. The Dutchman delivered on the promise he has always shown at Euro 2008, and for nine million euros he cannot be considered anything less than an absolute bargain. I fully expect the Dutchman to prosper at the Bernabeu for many years to come—Hamburg's loss is very much Real Madrid's gain. Having said that, the German club's capture of Brazilian Thiago Neves should ease their pain, I will be very interested to see how the 23-year-old gets on in such a talented young team. Yes, I have taken the easy way out and pretty much named four transfers. I just couldn't decide! Jonathan Marum I have been most impressed with is Newcastle United's capture of Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca. I just think this guy looks fantastic; he's quick, good with the ball at his feet but aware of his team-mates too. His link up play with Obafemi Martins at Old Trafford against Manchester United was impressive, and it was a great début. He is a good crosser of the ball as well. He only needs to add more goals to his repertoire to become the world-class player I believe he can be. He is an important player now that James Milner has gone and I believe he can handle the added expectation, which could help him nail down a regular starting place with Argentina. A mention also has to go to Robinho. In many ways it doesn't matter how he does at Man City because of the sensational nature of his transfer he is the signing of the season too. I mean not a single person would have predicted that! Dakota Rubin It has to be Rafael van der Vaart, purely for what Real Madrid gets for the money. It was a pure steal. Van der Vaart is one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the world and Madrid robbed him from Hamburg for just nine million euros (sure it could get up to 13m with clauses but still). Not only was he a steal he was also exactly what los Blancos needed in terms of his attitude—think opposite of the self-centered nature of Cristiano Ronaldo—and his position and playing style. Van der Vaart can fill the void left by Sneijder until he is healthy and begin to take the reins from the ageing Guti who has run Madrid's midfield for years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I particularly like the fact the many of the writers have chosen Berbatov which simply backs United's stance that they have made a wise investment.

5th September 2008, 04:25	#2 (permalink)
Dominant Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: This tiny, sunny island Posts: 3,925	We don't need these writers' choice to know that berbatov will be a great player for us. If anything quite a few of these cnuts also choose Deco.

5th September 2008, 04:27	#3 (permalink)
Freak Born a freak always a freak. Join Date: May 2004 Location: C.Ronaldo > England! Posts: 8,069	Definitely Berbatov. With him in the side, it would allow rooney and tevez to play off him, things they love to do. Deco would be a close second.

5th September 2008, 04:28	#4 (permalink)
Christofaux Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,002	Probably because Deco seems like he has played in the premier league for years already.

5th September 2008, 05:08	#5 (permalink)
Alex Spam Alert! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Californication Posts: 21,247	One of Deco, Berbatov, or Robinho, probably one of the formers, as Robinho will soon find City are Shitty still

5th September 2008, 07:21	#6 (permalink)
Slevin Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hartlepool Posts: 1,723	Dos Santos is a bit of a good signing for Spurs imo. A steal at 4.6mill or whatever they paid.

5th September 2008, 07:39	#7 (permalink)
x42bn6 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: PMing people with maths homework answers - feel free to ask Posts: 3,754	Abu Dhabi. Best chairman transfer ever.

5th September 2008, 07:39	#8 (permalink)
Ruben First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 5,321	Degen or Dossena, I just can`t decide.

5th September 2008, 10:44	#9 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 10,628	Deco has settled in so well so far that he is definitely the front runner for Signing of the Summer.

5th September 2008, 12:18	#11 (permalink)
Count Duckula First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: In the corner, losing my religion. Posts: 6,205	Until we see how Berbatov plays for us, then we can't judge how well he'll do. Personally, though, I think he'll do brilliantly, and that at the end of the year it'll be between himself and Deco as to who was the best signing. It'll probably go to the one who wins the league

5th September 2008, 13:34	#14 (permalink)
Skelter Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1,915	Yes, it's just a bit silly to have a "What's Your Signing Of The Summer?" after three games.

5th September 2008, 13:39	#15 (permalink)
noodlehair Sacked Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes. Posts: 32,000	Deco was a bargain to be fair. Berbatov will hopefully be a very good signing, but he was also a fairly obvious one, and expensive.

5th September 2008, 14:09	#16 (permalink)
MehdiMahdavikia Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: "He's a rebel and he stands up to Bullies" Posts: 1,099	Deco started the last seasons for Barcelona in top form then seemed like he couldn't be bothered to keep it up. I'm very skeptical that he'll play well for Chelsea all sesason considering, I think he'll be a bit like Veron was for them.

5th September 2008, 14:11	#17 (permalink)
samabachan Cockface McSticklebrick Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: He plays on the left, he plays on the riiiiiiiight, our boy Ronaldo made you look shite. Posts: 4,283	Spidey Gutierrez or Nasri are the bargains of the window for me.

5th September 2008, 14:20	#18 (permalink)
Red-Devil.Finn Bag Princess Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Patriotic Finn, waiting for the Independence Day. Posts: 3,883	Gutierrez for me, he has really impressed me so far and seems to be the heart of Newcastle's game, good signing.

5th September 2008, 14:54	#20 (permalink)
gaffs Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: E236 - New Member of the K Stand Barmy Army Posts: 3,687	Amr Zaki for Wigan.