World Soccer: The Big Issue, Jul 2008: Best summer transfer?

I think we're going to see a few more big moves before the deadline this year. There have been so many rumours about top strikers in Europe, including Adebayor, Eto'o, Drogba, Benzema, Huntelaar, Villa and Berbatov. Are ALL these players really going to stay at their clubs? Highly unlikely I think. Will Shevchenko risk another wasted season? Does Drogba now want to stay at Chelsea? If just one of these players moves to a top club, it really could spark a transfer merry-go-round. Man Utd will almost certainly buy a striker. The long drawn out affairs do tend to finally conclude by the deadline, or just after it in the case of Ashley Cole, and I'm sure the Gareth Barry saga will end with him at Liverpool despite the money they have spent on Keane (a good signing and partner for Torres, albeit a high price for a 28 year old).

Chelsea will no doubt have spent big on someone by then as Scolari looks to make his mark, but I wouldn't be surprised if he "made do" with his squad until January to give many of them a good chance to show what they can do. Players like Joe Cole, Solomon Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips will either play very well or be replaced. David Villa will no doubt go to Madrid, and be a very good signing for a fraction of the touted Ronaldo price. To think of spending 70m plus on one player is utterly ridiculous and really makes you wonder what they'd have to achieve to be dubbed "signing of the summer" at that price. Well, sadly, the merchandising probably makes them good signings to start with. After that, anything less than playing nearly every game and scoring 30 goals would be a disaster.

The knock-on effect of such high prices for the top players is inflated prices for very average players. Andy Johnson could be 13m when Deco was just 8m. Sunderland are happy to pay over 20m for a group of Spurs rejects. Don't get me wrong, I think Malbranque is quite a good player, but these aren't top players and clubs are stretching their finances to get them. As a Southampton fan, I see clubs like Sunderland, Bolton, Fulham and Wigan spending vast amounts on players that aren't likely to bring great success, and more importantly perhaps, aren't likely to increase their transfer values. Is their any point spending 2-3m on a player now in the Premiership? Or is it time to just let your youth players have a go? If they only have to be average to be a 4m player then it has to be a good strategy. At Southampton, largely due to necessity, but I don't consider it a bad choice, we've chosen to focus on the younger players, integrate the youth, reserve and first team squad and try to build for the long term with sustainable finances. Will it work, who knows. But honestly, with all the ridiculous transfers going on now, I'm glad we're trying something different.

Signing of the summer in my opinion will be Mourinho for Inter, who will no doubt be even harder to beat and more of a force in Europe. They were so lacklustre against Liverpool in the Champion's league, but they've made some good signings like Mancini and Muntari. Mancini especially will prove excellent value for money. I can see Hleb excelling at Barcelona too, and again, in today's market, his was a fair price.

In terms of the Premiership, I think Ramos has been most impressive, despite losing Keane, and most likely Berbatov. Modric is a superb and intelligent player and will no doubt quickly adapt to the Premiership. If he can get the best out of Dos Santos then his price tag will seem tiny compared to many others. With David Bentley on the way, they'll have a fantastic array of midfield options. It will be interesting to see the striker replacements he signs though, as it will have to include one of the signings of the summer if they're to achieve anything this season.

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