Transfer Window 2010

Another transfer window has slammed shut, and despite Sky Sports's Jim White's desperate attempts to make mundane last minute deals sound interesting, it was, by Premier League standards, a quiet summer shopping season.

As predicted it was the World's richest club, Manchester City, who wrote the biggest headlines again by pulling over several major transfers, including World Cup winner David Silva from Valencia for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million and Yaya Toure from Barcelona. However which club pulled off the best deals and which players will take the Premiership by storm?.

Mario Balotelli



Let's start with one of the obvious transfers: Balotelli. The Italian made the move to the Premiership after long and drawn out negotiations for an undisclosed fee which is reportedly in excess of 25 million Euros. After many high profile bust ups with former manager Jose Mourinho Inter decided to let the talented youngster leave. The 20 year old scored 20 goals in just under 60 appearances for the Italian Champions and his direct and powerful style should suit the Premiership. One question remains however, and that is of course the young man's fiery temper. Mourinho said " The guy has incredible qualities, but does not know how to use his brain" Balotelli's talent in undoubted but whether Roberto Mancini can control him remains to be seen.

Rafael Van Der Vaart



A player who has been linked with a move to the Premiership for years has finally arrived with Champions League new boys Tottenham Hotspur. The deal for the playmaker wasn't actually completed until after the window shut due to technical difficulties but following an investigation by the FA the transfer was allowed to happen. The World Cup finalist spent 5 years at Ajax scoring over 50 goals for the Dutch giants, before moving to Bundesliga side Hamburg. After an impressive first season he was named first team captain before a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. He found himself in and out of the team at Real Madrid and at the start of last year he wasn't given a squad number by Manuel Pelligrini. However an injury to Kaka gave the Dutchman his chance and over the course of the season he scored 7 goals in 30 games. His move to Spurs, for a fee of £8 million, was surprising given the reported interest from Bayern Munich, however the Dutchman has all the qualities to impress in the Premiership. Harry Redknapp faces only one problem: where will he fit in a team already crammed full of midfield flair?

Alexander Hleb



Birmingham City pulled off a major surprise when bringing in the former Arsenal man Hleb on a season long loan. Hleb was not in Barcelona's plans and spent last season on loan at Stuttgart, and despite interest from other European clubs, Alex Mcleish swooped on deadline day to bring the Belarus captain to St Andrews. He was an important part of Arsenal's team and is a confident and skilful runner with the ball. He can be deployed on either wing or behind a front man which was in the forefront of Mcleish's mind when trying to find someone to supply the giant Serbian Nikola Zigic.

Asamoah Gyan



Sunderland were the big spenders on deadline day with Steve Bruce spending "in excess of £13 million" to make Asamoah Gyan Sunderland's record transfer. The Ghanaian starred during the World Cup scoring 3 goals, whilst also missing a crucial last minute penalty in the quarter final against Urugauy after Luis Suarez's infamous handball. The former Rennes front man is quick, powerful and, despite being only 5 feet 11 inches tall, deceptively strong in the air meaning he is an ideal replacement for Kenwyne Jones, who left for Stoke earlier in the window. Despite his physical style, which should suit the Premiership, the striker has never been a prolific scorer and has seemingly been brought in to take some of the pressure off talisman Darren Bent.

Hatem Ben Arfa



Newcastle United finally secured the season long loan signing of Hatem Ben Arfa after weeks of negotiations with Marseille. The French trequartista actually flew into Newcastle without the knowledge of the French Champions to try and push through a deal. It took a while but he is now a Newcastle player and he is an excellent acquisition to a forward line consisting of Andy Carroll who has hit the ground running. The Frenchman is capable of playing on either wing and behind a striker which will be invaluable for the Magpies as the season progresses.

Elsewhere in the transfer window Stoke City secured a high profile trio of Kenwyne Jones, Eider Gudjohnson and Jermaine Pennant which should be helpful as the potters attempt to break the top 10.

Bolton Wanderers snatched Martin Petrov on a free transfer, beating off numerous possible suitors for the Bulgarian.

Arsenal added to their front line with the signing of Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux, giving them a more physical option, which will come in handy as Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie have been sidelined through injury.

Chelsea splashed out £17 million on Brazilian Midfielder Ramires from Benfica whilst Liverpool, in addition to signing England international Joe Cole on a free transfer, signed Portugal International Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky.

Fulham snapped up Mexico's attacking left back Carlos Solcido and Wigan signed Argentinian Mauro Boselli from Estudiantes and loaned Tom Cleverley from Manchester United. Wolves had a busy window bringing in Steven Fletcher and Steven Hunt whilst also securing Jelle Van Damme from Anderlecht.

Blackburn signed Benjani on a free and Mame Biram Diouf on loan from Manchester United but more importantly they tied down promising Centre back Phil Jones on a new five year deal. Blackpool had a frustrating window but a few days before the season kicked off they managed to get new faces in through the front door at Bloomfield Road, with Marlon Harewood, Luke Varney and Craig Cathcart all signing before the window slammed shut.

Whilst their wasn't as much cash flying about this summer, there was no shortage of deals being done and I'm sure the fans can't wait to see their new signings in action.

Paul Seed

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Well once again the Barclays Premier League is well underway and football fans who have been desperate to put England's shambolic World Cup campaign behind them, couldn't be happier.

The opening round of games saw a major shock as Premiership new-comers Blackpool, fresh from their classic play off victory over Cardiff City, travelled to the DW stadium to take on Wigan Athletic. Nobody predicted what would happen in the first 45 minutes as the Seasiders raced into an incredible 3-0 lead with debutant Marlon Harewood netting twice, albeit with the help of Chris Kirkland. The second half saw Blackpool go further in front with Kirkland again at fault as Alex Baptiste's mis-hit cross was parried into the back of the net by the former England international.



However fellow new comers Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion didn't have as much luck as they were thoroughly dismantled by title favourites Manchester United and Chelsea. However The Magpies didn't have to wait long for their first win back in the big time as Premier League football returned to St James Park. What happened in the following 90 minutes was a shock to everyone as Aston Villa, still reeling from the sudden resignation of Martin O'Neil, were destroyed by Newcastle and Andy Carroll. The big target man grabbed a hat-trick which sparked appeals for him to be fast tracked to the full England squad.



Once again during the summer break Manchester City were the big spenders but questions were raised as to whether Roberto Mancini could get the Citizens to gel, but live on Sky's Monday Night Football they took on Roy Hodgson's Liverpool side. The game took place live on Sky's Monday Night Football show which has made a return to our televisions with a brand new studio, unfortunately Andy Gray and Richard Keys have also made a return and seem to have taken the opportunity to show off their new gadgets rather than analyse the game. Manchester City produced a polished and highly impressive performance to which Adam Johnson was central as the England winger proved why he should have been on the plane to South Africa. The Sky Blues won the game 3-0 against a lacklustre Liverpool side, who seemed to be missing Javier Mascherano as the Argentina skipper's move to Barcelona moved closer.



However, City's inconsistency was shown as they travelled to the Stadium Of Light to take on a Sunderland side still waiting for their first league win of the season. Striker Carlos Tevez passed up a golden opportunity which ultimately The Black Cats punished as Darren Bent scored a 94th minute penalty leaving City fans frustrated and Sunderland fans delirious.



The season has started with a bang and whilst the typically mundane International Break has momentarily halted the early season excitement, the season is well under way and I for one can't wait for the remainder of the Barclays Premier League season.

Paul Seed