EPL Newcomers - Hit, Flop & Bargain

With the premierleague 2010/2011 season just started and the transfer window closed, i'll like to discuss and share my view on the new players that have come in, debutants for the EPL this season. Man City was undoubtedly getting all the spotlight, showing their financial muscle by bringing in 7 new player with 5 of those players playing their first season in english football. Backed by multi millionaire Sheikh Mansour, City have spent more than 100million on new players trying to challenge for the title or at least getting into the champions league spot. Hits, flops and bargain will all be unveiled as we move along which promised to be an exciting season.

Debutants for the 2010/2011 English Premier League:

Arsenal - Chamakh, Koscielny,Squillaci
Aston Villa - M.Alonso, Moreno
Birmingham City - Jiranek, Hleb, Zigic, Beausejour
Chelsea - Ramires
Everton - J.Silva
Fulham -  Dembele, Salcido
Liverpool - Jovanovic, Poulsen, Meireles
Man City - Y.Toure, D.Silva, Kolarov, Boateng, Balotelli
Man Utd - Hernandez, Bebe
Newcastle - Ben Arfa
Sunderland - Riveros, Al - Muhammadi, Gyan
Tottenham - Van der Vaart
W.B.A - Odemwingie, P.Ibanez
West Ham - Barrera, Obinna
Wigan - Alcaraz, Boselli

The EPL, one of the most exciting and most watched league in the world is well known for its high tempo and physical game. So it will be a challenge for the newcomers to adapt quickly to the new environment and style. When results are massive in importance in todays game, time will not be on these player side. Fans and owners want instant result and immediate impact, players that can cope quickly on and off the pitch will certainly make it. Its only the fifth game of the season, nothing is definite right now, but i'll give my personal opinion and prediction which transfer will be a hit,  flop or a bargain transfer coup.

Hits

Tottenham finishing 4th last season and  qualifying for the champion league was a massive progress for the club. Spurs fans are hopeful that they can bulit on the success and improve what they have achieved last term. Playing midweeks champions league games will be a new experience for the club and  manager Harry Redknapp knows that he will need to bolster his squad. Things didnt go well during the window until the last day when Harry finally got his man, 9miillion transfer deal bringing Rafael Van der Vaart to Spurs from Real Madrid. The 27 years old cant really get into the Galacticos first team and was link to several clubs before moving to Spurs. Known for his creativity and passing ability, Van der Vaart will certainly make an impact in the league. His versatility also an added advantage for Spurs. I do hope the talented midfielder can get his club career back on track and looking forward seeing him besides Modric providing chances and telling passes to the likes of Defoe, Crouch and Pavlyuchenko.

Flops

I'm going stick my neck out on this one. But too say one is a flop, it must come to a big money move and i have to say Man City Mario Balotelli. With all the wealth of talents in the Man City squad, the team really doesnt gel as well as they hope. Roberto Mancini tactics and formation already being questioned by the media and some fans. All the egos and superstars at the City stadium must be hard to control and manage. Balotelli was bought by Mancini from Inter Milan costing City 24million, a pinch maybe for the club millionaire owner. But i always have a doubt when a player from the Serie A especially strikers move to the EPL. The tempo and physical game is much much higher compared to the Serie A where players do have more time on the ball. With Balotelli temperament and his disciplinary problems plus all the top striker in the City ranks, its going to be intresting to see how Mancini handle with his new recruit. Is he going to be the next Robinho, time will tell.

Bargain

Marouane Chamakh is the bargain transfer this season without a shadow of a doubt. Moving on a free transfer from Bordeaux to Arsenal, he already shown a glimpse of his abbilities, what he can offer to the team and  proving his move is not a wrong one, and i'm sure all the gooners out there will agree with me. Mr Wenger with his transfer policy seldom get it wrong when choosing a player to bring in, careful with his transfer and not rushing it, Chamakh was in the Arsenal's radar for almost a year before they finally sign him. With Van Persie injury prone, certainly Chamakh will be cherishing his opportunity to lead the line in the Arsenal strike force.

"Transfer deals always give pleasure, if not the arrival, the departure"

good luck to the newbies. KTBFFH