Goalkeeper: David De Gea
The young Spaniard comes in at Manchester United with high hopes and expectations after Manchester United spent 17 million on the 20 year old. De Gea comes into the Manchester United team trying to replace one of the best goalkeepers United have ever had in Edwin Van Der Sar. De Gea has had a tough start to his United career by letting in a couple of savable shots and in the process getting a roasting from the media. But he redeemed himself by having a brilliant game against Arsenal saving a penalty and making other great saves from Arshavin and Van Persie. This man looks the best keeper to have been bought this Summer.
Right Back: Alan Hutton
On some occasions very good players are available for very reasonable prices and this was the case with the final day of the transfer window acquisition of Alan Hutton. The Scotsman had found himself dropping down the Tottenham pecking order having fallen behim Corluka and former Aston Villa loanee Kyle Walker and saw a move to Villa, where he would work with former Scotland manager Alex McLeish, a move in the right direction for his career. With very little competition for a place at Aston Villa following Luke Young's departure to QPR Alan Hutton will find himself a regular starter which is what a player of his ability should be.
Left Back: Royston Drenthe
Having spent last season on loan at Hercules and having disciplinary problems whilst there the Real Madrid man was dying to escape and he had been in discussions with Galatasaray but they broke down and he then chose to go to Everton. Having joined Real Madrid for €14 million it is evident the former Dutch Under 21 star has quality. I think the left back who can also play left wing (and will most likely do so with Leighton Baines) will be one of the most clever loan deals done this season and he will show the form he showed back in 2007 once again.
Centre Back: Per Mertesacker
Having conceded 56% of their goals from set pieces there was an evident need for Arsenal to buy a centre back similar to Vidic or Terry this Summer and that is what they did. Aged 26, the 6 ft 6 inches, German centre back scored 5 goals in the 09/10 season which gives Arsenal a threat from attacking set pieces. Having got stick from the media already who were looking for any excuse to have a go at under pressure and evidently stressed Frenchman Arsene Wenger it is evident he will come under scrutiny if he makes any mistakes or does not resolve Arsenal's evident frailty on defending set pieces. Having said that I think he and Vermaelen will make a very good centre back pairing and he is a wise purchase from Arsenal.
Centre Back: Jonathan Woodgate
In one of the most clever deals done this Summer, Jonathan Woodgate joined Stoke City for free. Coming with a wealth of experience having spent time at Leeds where he regularly competed for title success and he also played Champions League and UEFA Cup, he spent time at Newcastle United where he once again played UEFA Cup football and made a semi final but missed the second leg. The next season he joined Real Madrid where he did not play once in his first season due to injury but after his shocking debut where he was sent off and scored an Own Goal he became somewhat of a leader but injures hampered his career in Spain and he got 37.11% of the votes making him the worst signing of the century. He moved to Middlesborough where he got injured in pre season of his second year and lost his place to David Wheater. Tottenham took a chance on injury prone Woodgate and paid £7 million for him and he featured in 49 games in 3 yearsand he was released where Stoke picked him up. With Stoke's Europa League journies ahead I believe he will bring a wealth of experience and quality and will be a brilliant deal.
Right Wing: Ashley Young
Having made a very bright start to his Manchester United career Ashley Young really looks one of the most exciting signings of the Summer. With his crossing ability, dribbling ability, pace and set piece taking Young is a real handful for defenders. Having moved from Watford to Villa in January 2007 nobody expected Young to be such a success for Villa on the field and to make them £10 million profit on the £8 million it took to take him away from Watford. Only 26 years old and Young is already showing the maturity of the older players which departed Manchester United over the Summer. With high expectations on Young's shoulders already from the United faithful and he has not disappointed them at all scoring 2 in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal and causing havoc in his other games which is conveyed in his assist count.
Left Wing: Juan Mata
After having a special Summer in his career, helping Spain's Under 21's to a comprehensive European Championships victory, Mata joins Chelsea with a bright future ahead. Having started at Real Oviedo then moving to Real Madrid's B side and moving on to Valencia Mata has never been outside Spain which is something of a possible worry for Chelsea. With his wicked left foot that can cross perfectly he is somewhat of a relief for Torres to witness him walk through the door. He also has a fantastic goals record especially at Valencia where he got around 1 in 4 games. Having scored on his debut (which he only featured for 10 minutes) Mata is looking like he may relieve some of the pressure from the strikers shoulder's to score.
Centre Midfield: Scott Parker
At the age of 30 Scott Parker adds much needed quality and experience to what I see as a troubled Tottenham side this year. Having brought Charlton to a Champions League push nearly on his own at the early stages of his career it was always obvious (even after his trouble to break into the Chelsea team) that Parker would end up an English international. His determination and love for West Ham last year even when they were undergoing a vast struggle was admirable and even if Tottenham do not live up to expectations this year they are always assured he will give 110%. This makes him one of the safer signings of the summer
Centre Midfield: Joey Barton
I don't think any single person could have told me last May that Joey Barton would leave Newcastle United and most certainly not on a free transfer of all the fees. Having made a £5.7 million loss on Barton Newcastle United fans were right in my opinion to question this deal. His commitment to Newcastle's cause even at the start of the season when he was on the transfer list was there for all to see, even though some claim he cheated in their 0-0 draw with Arsenal. Having a reputation as a trouble maker due to incidents such as putting a cigarette out in a youth players eye have taken on a heavy character as well as a very good player. If controlled and not allowed to spark brawls such as the one between him and Gervinho but instead kept to playing his fantastic football Joey Barton could very well become a QPR legend in a short space of time.
Striker: Shane Long
Me being an Irishman former Reading hitman was always likely to be in this team of transfers. Quick, Strong, Capable of heading and Capable of scoring Shane Long was worth a punt to any team that were willing to pay his slightly hefty price tag. Having always been in Kevin Doyle's shadow due to coming from an Irish club and breaking through at Reading just like Doyle he seems to be quickly walking away from that image and he is developing into his own. Having had a dream start to his West Brom career scoring against Manchester United and Chelsea Long looks to have taken the step up to the Premiership quickly and is looking like a smart piece of business already.
Striker: Sergio Aguero
Having wowed everybody with his fantastic substitution debut against Swansea Aguero looks to be a player who will score goals, set them up and take on a defender. With a similar build to Carlos Tevez only a little slimmer Aguero in my opinion could take to the Premier League like a fish to water. Everybody who watched Copa America could see how Aguero looked like one of Argentina's most dangerous players whenever he started or came on as a substitute. He also had a goal record of just under 1 goal every 2 games at Atletico Madrid which now makes him look like one of the biggest and possibly one of the best Argentinian players in the Premier League.
Substitutions:
Shay Given: The Irish keeper is a perfect replacement for Friedel and could be an improvement.
John O'Shea: Ex Manchester United fan's favourite looks like one of Brucey's smarter buys.
Jose Enrique: Coming from Newcastle he will be used to the fans pressure joining Liverpool.
Charlie Adam: His free kick taking ability and passing ability makes the Scottsman look a wise buy.
Raul Meireles: In one of the shock final day deals Meireles joining Chelsea gives them chance to move on Lampard.
Yohann Cabaye: I think this man will be extremely good at Newcastle as he looks a sublime passer.
DJ Campbell: Having succeeded at Blackpool a move to the Premier League for him again was no surprise.
Transfer XI
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