The 10 best signings by English clubs in the last 5 years

Published 08/01/2015, 2:24 PM EDT

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Premier League clubs have always attracted the best players in the world, and have fought fiercely over them in the transfer market. Arguably the best league in the world,the  Premier League has been known for it’s unpredictability and competition. The latter has certainly increased since 2010, when Manchester City joined the big boys. A result of this is that now clubs have to invest in new players and invest smartly.

So let’s take a look at the best signings by the English club since 2010.

Note: The selection is done on various factors such as transfer fee, the player’s impact on the club, and the age of the player signed.

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10. Yohan Cabaye — Newcastle United

Transfer Fee: £3.5 million(From Lille)

Season: 2011-12

Age at time of signing: 25 years

Yohan Cabaye made an instant impact on the team in his first season at Newcastle, which saw the club finishing fifth in the league. Having a creative mind, a great passing accuracy and wonderful right foot, Cabaye proved to be an amazing signing for Newcastle. Often scoring from free-kicks, the Frenchman carried The Magpies over the line. He famously scored in the club’s 1-0 victory over United at Old Trafford, making their first win there in 41-years. Cabaye drew the attention of big clubs with Arsenal making a bid, which was refused by Newcastle.

Signed at a mere fee of £3.5, Cabaye proved to be one of the best signings in recent times for The Toons, and eventually left the club for PSG for a fee of around £20m.

9. David de Gea — Manchester United

Transfer Fee: £17.8 million(from Atletico Madrid)

Season: 2011-12

Age at time of signing: 20 years

David de Gea has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Signed at a British record fee for a goalkeeper, De Gea had a troubled start to his United career. Due to less weight, he often struggled in the set-pieces situations in his first season. However, since stunningly saving a Juan Mata free-kick , the Spaniard turned around his fortunes. Making some crucial saves, he has often rescued United, and was voted United’s player of the season in the 2014-15 season.

De Gea might leave United for Real Madrid, but has justified his price tag, and will land United more money than he was bought for, making it a very successful signing for the club.

8. Gary Cahill — Chelsea

Transfer Fee: £7 million(from Bolton Wanderers)

Season: 2011-12(January)

Age at time of signing: 26 years

Technical ability, powerful heading in defense and attack, volleying, good tackling, and a decent pace has made Gary Cahill one of the most complete defenders in the premier league. With John Terry, Cahill has been part one of the most solid defensive partnership in the league. Standing tall at 6 ft 4 in, he played vital roles in the finals of Champions league and Europa league in 2011-12 and 12-13 season respectively.

Cahill, has been named in the PFA team of the year for the second time in a row, and his now thriving under Mourinho, making his £7m fee looking a bargain.

7. Laurent Koscielny — Arsenal

Transfer Fee: £8.45 million(from Lorient)

Season: 2010-11

Age at time of signing: 24 years old

Koscielny’s journey from Ligue 2 bench to Arsenal first team has been epic. The Frenchmen has been a wall at the Arsenal back for the past five seasons, and is one of the best defenders in the league. Though mistake prone earlier, he has drastically improved, and has been part of successful defensive partnerships with Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen. Standing tall at 6 ft 1 , Koscielny has proven to be an important player in both defending as well as attacking set-pieces. Often named in the top 5 Arsenal players of the season, he possess a knack of performing at the big matches.

At 29, Koscielny is at prime of his career, and will be leading the defense for Arsenal this season.

6. Christian Eriksen — Tottenham Hotspur

Transfer Fee: £11 million(from Ajax)

Season: 2013-14

Age at time of signing: 21 year old

In only two season at Spurs, Christian Eriksen has made his mark on Premier League. Possessing a great vision, and a wonderful dribbling ability, the Dane has been instrumental in many of the Spurs victories. Signed, alongside the likes of Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado, Eriksen was only one who actually rose to the occasion. Saving the side many times during his first season, he scored a lot of late equalizers and winners for his team. In his second season, his partnership with Harry Kane made them one of the most feared attacking duo in the premier league.

A steal for £11m, still only 23, Eriksen can lead Spurs out of the shadow of rivals Arsenal. Even if he decides to leave, it will fetch Spurs a hefty transfer amount.

5. Philippe Coutinho — Liverpool

Transfer Fee: £8.5 million(from Internazionale)

Season: 2012-13(January)

Age at time of signing: 20 years

Signed at a bargain of £8.5m, Coutinho is now one of the most important players in the Liverpool side. Possessing great ball control, pace, dribbling skills, and an eye for long distance goals, the Brazilian is always a live wire on the field. Playing an important role in the resurgence of Liverpool after a torrid first half of the season 2014-15, Coutinho has also broken into the Brazilain national team.

Getting better all the time, and still 23, Coutinho certainly holds the key for Brendan Rodgers this season.

4. David Silva — Manchester City

Transfer Fee: £24 million(From Valencia)

Season: 2010-11

Age at time of signing: 24 years

David Silva has been arguably the best mid-fielders in Premier League for the last 4-5 years. His immaculate passing and wonderful dribbling ability has been a treat to watch. Combined with Sergio Aguero, Silva has caused havoc in opponents’ halves. Signed from Valencia, Silva costed City £24m, and without doubt has proved to be of worth much more than that. Having already won the league twice with City, he will now set his eye on Champions League, the trophy the club craves so much.

It has been five seasons since the Spaniard joined the Citizens, and looking settled at the club, he has been a steal for the club. His injury issues have been a bit of let down though.

3. Luis Suarez — Liverpool

Transfer Fee: £22.8 million(From Ajax)

Season: 2010-11

Age at time of transfer: 24 years

Luis Suarez is on of the best player to put on a Liverpool jersey. Signed as a replacement for Fernando Torres, he quickly made his mark scoring on his debut. Given the fact that the Uruguayan international cost Liverpool a modest £22.8m, made the signing even more impressive. What followed made Suarez one of the best strikers in the world. Scoring lots of goals, Suarez was exceptional in almost all the seasons(except 2011-12 as fatigue of Copa America got the better of him). In his last season at Liverpool, he was awarded the PFA player of the year award, almost guiding them to the title, as Liverpool were edged out by Manchester City by two points.

Often finding himself in middle of controversies, Suarez finally left the club for Barcelona with blessings of the fans. Liverpool received a hefty £65 million as the transfer fee, making him one of the best signings.

2. Eden Hazard — Chelsea

Transfer Fee: £32 million(from Lille)

Season: 2012-13

Age at time of transfer: 21 years

Eden Hazard, from an exciting prospect has quickly turned into one of the best players in the world during his time at Chelsea. Already winning the league in 2014-15, he now holds the key for Mourinho’s side in the coming season. Awarded the Chelsea player of the year award twice in a row now, and PFA player of the year, Hazard will only get better. Still a little early to be compared to likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and  Lionel Messi, the winger is definitely headed in the right direction.

The Belgian has also pledged his future at Chelsea, and has even been tipped to be future captain of the club.

1. Sergio Aguero — Manchester City

Transfer Fee: £38 million(From Atletico Madrid)

Season: 2011-12

Age at the time of signings: 23 years

One of the best strikers in the world, Sergio Aguero has been a revolution at Manchester City. Though signed at a hefty fee of £38 million, Aguero has made the fee look small with the performances he has produced. Scoring the epic goal on the final day of the 2012-13 season made him into an instant Manchester City legend. Finding the net 78 times in 120 appearances, the Argentine has played pivotal role in both the Premier League titles.

The fact that the striker is still with City and has refused offers from clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona has made the transfer even more valuable.

Honourable Mentions:
Juan Mata — Chelsea

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Michu — Swansea

Oscar — Chelsea

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Santi Carzola — Arsenal

Christian Benteke — Aston Villa

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Written by:

Aviral Srivastava

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Pursuing Computer Science Engineering from Bangalore Institute of Technology. Avid sports fan, specially football. A lifelong United supporter.
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