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- The Premier League has seen some big (and at times outrageous) money moves in and out of the league
- While some have lived to the amount, some turned to be money poorly spent
- Mental Health and Psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has upended all areas of life leading to a global crisis that has plunged the economy into what many have claimed to be the sharpest downturn since the Great Depression.
The world of sports has also faced the adverse effects of the pandemic with professional leagues suspending cancelling or suspending their calendars. Moreover, huge amounts of revenue continue to be lost from the suspension of matches as most clubs rely on gate receipts on match day, sponsorship deals and other match day revenue and with the season on hold, clubs are faced with the hurdle of continuing to pay huge wages to their players.
According to the German-based website transfer market, the values of Premier League squads have dropped by more than £1.6billion as a result of the coronavirus shutdown. With players sitting idle at home and their contracts continuing to run down, the value of clubs’ star assets are constantly falling and what one player might have been worth six weeks ago is now nowhere near their true value.
Khusoko Sports takes a trip down the transfer lane and take a look at some Big Money Moves that have been seen in the Premier League:
Dimitar Berbatov (Spurs to Manchester United) – £30, 000,000 Fee
The Bulgarian had been on United’s radar for a while despite the success that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had enjoyed in the 2007/08 campaign having won the Champions League and the Premier League title. The silk and composed striker had impressed in his three years at the North-London outfit scoring 46 goals in 102 outings. His laid back style of play had many believe that he could become United’s new Eric Cantona.
During his unveiling, Ferguson would say: This is a key signing. Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football. His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I’m sure he will be a popular player with the fans.”
The Bulgarian left United having won Two Premier League titles, one League Cup, two Community Shields and a FIFA World Club Cup.
Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg to Manchester City) – £33,300,000
A 24-year old Dzeko moved from Wolfsburg to join Roberto Mancini’s squad in a four and a half-year contract. The Bosnian had led Wolfsburg to Bundesliga glory in the 2008/09 campaign and had made a name for himself as a lethal forward. He would leave City for Roma in 2015 having won Two Premier League titles, One FA Cup, One League Cup and One Community Shield.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool to Manchester City) – £93,257,095
The pacy winger made his switch from Anfield to Manchester City after a transfer saga stemming from telling him telling then-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers ‘he wanted to leave the club and would not sign a new contract under any circumstances’. Since his move, trophies and goals have been easy to come by for the Englishman. To date, Sterling has won Two Premier League titles, One FA Cup, Three League Cups and One Community Shield.
Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid to Man City) – £36,000,000
The Argentine has been one of the most lethal forwards that to have graced the Premier League. Aguero has led City to Four Premier League titles scoring over 250 goals for the side. Arguably one of the best signings that City has ever made.
Robinho (Real Madrid to Man City) – £38,700,000
While some be quick to laud City for signing the likes of Aguero, Silva and Kompany, City has also seen some big-money flops. The Brazilian was City’s first big-money signing but one that really didn’t pay off. Aside from an initial burst of quality following his arrival, Robinho will forever be remembered as a massive flop.
Andy Carroll (Newcastle to Liverpool) – £36,900,000
Bought to replace El-Nino Fernando Torres who had just moved to Chelsea, Carroll to Liverpool was one of Liverpool’s poor signings ever. Carroll scored 11 goals in his 58 games with the Reds.
Wayne Rooney (Everton to Man Utd) – £33,300,000
Spending £33m on a teenager was a bold, bold move back in 2004, but it’s safe to say it paid dividends. The lethal and reliable Englishman lead United to One Champions League glory, One Europa League Trophy, One FA Cup, Three League Cups, One FIFA Club World Cup and four Community Shield.
Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid to Man Utd) – £67,500,000
The Argentine was never destined for greatness at Old Trafford. Di Maria had enjoyed a trophy-laden time with Los Blancos but he never found his groove at United.
Didier Drogba (Marseille to Chelsea) – £34,650,000
Arguably one of Chelsea’s greatest signing. Need a goal? Call Drogba. Need to punish Arsenal? Call Drogba. Need to win the Champions League with all odds against your team? Call Drogba.
Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg to Man City) – £68,400,000
Premier League has seen some formidable midfielders, some creative midfielders, some composed midfielders and it has also seen Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian, once castigated by Jose Mourinho for not having ‘what it has to be in Premier League’, makes mind-boggling assists look effortless. A complete bargain for the amount.
Andriy Schevchenko (AC Milan to Chelsea) – £39,490,000
At AC Milan, the Ukrainian scored goals for fun. With Chelsea, Shevchenko looked like he’d never kicked a ball in his life before. His enormous transfer fee appeared to be a burden as he mustered just 22 goals in 77 games.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea) – £52,650,000
Torres had terrorized Chelsea over and over again. The unveiling of Torres as a Blue looked to be the final piece of the jig-saw in Billionaire Roman’s plans. Chelsea fans never saw that Torres.
Rio Ferdinand (Leeds to Man Utd) – £41,400,000
Paying £41m for a player in 2002 was almost unheard of, but United’s gamble yielded seriously impressive results. Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic formed an impregnable duo that might just be the greatest centre-back pairing in Premier League history, winning a plethora of trophies together.
Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid to Arsenal) – £42,000,000
Still on a high from their north London derby victory over Tottenham a day earlier, the Gunners broke their club transfer record to complete the signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for £42million.
It was a move that was almost six years in the making, with Arsene Wenger keenly tracking the midfielder since 2007. Paris Saint-German were also keen, and offered a more lucrative contract to the German that summer, but Ozil chose to join the Gunners.
“While talking with Arsene Wenger I immediately felt what I had missed at last,” Ozil said. “This is 100 per cent faith in me. I want to help this club to finally win titles again.”
Fast forward to 2020, Ozil’s time and future at Arsenal have been characterized with ups and downs. The German was instrumental in the Gunners ending the nine-year drought but has always been criticized for his displays especially in big games.
Paul Pogba (Juventus to ManUtd) – £94,500,000
The World Cup Winner from France has always been a polarizing figure at Old Trafford. His return to United has coincided with an era of uncertainty that has characterized the Red Devils. Whether on or off the field, the Frenchman has always been subject of criticism from pundits to fans.
