Now that the Summer - its warmth, long days and transfer market activity are just a distant memory, They All Count felt it was about time someone summed up what were the best buys of the last transfer window. We waited to see if any other, more reputable sources of football news wanted to give it a go, but seeing as no one has risen to the challenge, we thought we would...
1. Cheik Tiote - Newcastle - £3.5million from FC Twente
With Andy Carroll and Joey Barton taking most of the plaudits for Newcastle's excellent run of form, many have overlooked the significant contribution of the 24 year old Ivorian, Cheik Tiote. The defensive midfielder, signed in the summer from FC Twente has been more than impressive in the Geordie midfield so far this season. He has shown his skills as a tenacious midfielder, just as comfortable on the ball (he has a lovely quick change of direction that I would say is actually better than turning on a sixpence) as he is winning it back and has certainly adapted quickly to the English league, putting in a string of great but often overlooked performances, keeping the Newcastle midfield solid and mobile. Cheik has managed to rack up an impressive 5 yellow cards so far this season, so only time will tell if this side to his game will be improved or prove an issue. Compare him to Ramires, Chelsea's 22million pound summer acquisition, who plays in the same position, is only a year younger and has yet to truly shine and Tiote certainly looks like a good bit of business.
2. Marouane Chamakh - Arsenal - £free from Bordeaux
In a move that sums up Arsene Wenger's measured approach to signings, the Morrocan striker arrived in May of this year to the North London club on a free transfer. Whispers of the transfer began over a year before it finally went through, with Wenger preferring to wait until Chamakh's contract at Bordeaux expired - cheapskate. With a lack of striking options being one of the main issues in Arsenal's last campaign, thanks to injuries to Robin Van Persie and Nicholas Bendtner, Chamakh has stepped straight into the first choice centre forward role and repaid this with an impressive scoring record for any players first Premier League season, netting 8 goals in 17 appearances. Impressing the Emirates crowds with not only his goals but his willingness to track back and niggle away at opposing midfielders, Chamakh has certainly repaid his transfer fee...with interest.
3. Rafael Van Der Vaart - Tottenham - £11million from Real Madrid
In what was definitely the most last minute and most shocking story of the summer transfers, we saw self proclaimed 'wheeler dealer' Harry Redknapp pull of the coup of the window by securing Dutch international playmaker Van Der Vaart for £11million. Expensive sure, but class does not often come cheap, especially not from Real Madrid. Playing mainly just off a solo striker, Rafael has so far scored 7 goals in 11 appearances. He has certainly taken to the league with some aplomb, fitting into a midfield including Modric, Lennon and Bale that is looking like one of the most creative and exciting to watch this season.
4. Peter Odemwingie - West Brom - £500,000 from Lokomotiv Moscow
West Brom, like Newcastle have had a far better than expected start to the season, which in part is thanks to this man. The 29 year old Nigerian-Russian has been on blistering goal scoring form, only slightly stifled by a short injury lay off. He has scored 4 in 9 apperances and doesn't look to be showing any signs of slowing down, also picking up the September player of the month award for winning strikes against Arsenal and Birmingham. A lovely bit of business by manager Roberto Di Matteo.
5. Dan Gosling - Newcastle - £Free from Everton
Bit of a punt this one. After what can only be described as a contract signing fail by Everton, Newcastle were able to swoop in for the powerful and versatile England u-21 international midfielder in a transfer that at the time had me and many others standing up and saying "how the cock and balls did they manage to pull that off?" Although Gosling is still in recovery from an injury sustained whilst at Everton, if or when he does return, and if he can reproduce some of his pre-injury performances for Everton in the Newcastle team, then Chris Hughton's squad is going to be looking even more impressive than it already does.
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