The intense dealings in last month’s window caused not only much weeping and wailing but records to be broken. Or smashed if one can still use that word in a post Richard Keys world.
All figures quoted in Pounds Sterling.
10. Didier Drogba Olympique Marseille to Chelsea (2004) 24m
Didier and Drogba are two words that strike fear into any opposition manager that sees them on a Chelsea team sheet. He’s been taken to task endlessly for his theatrics and diving, but for all that nonsense he’s a strong, fearless and ruthless striker who when on fire is pretty much unplayable.
9. Michael Essien Olympique Lyon to Chelsea (2005) 24.4m
One of Roman Abramovich’s pet project purchases and without doubt one of his best. Tough tackling and tactically shrewd Essien has been nothing shy of a rock in the centre of a world beating Chelsea squad.
8. Wayne Rooney Everton to Manchester United (2004) 27m
Wazza once in a Youth Cup game for Everton scored and displayed a t-shirt that said,’Once A Blue, Always A Blue’ but the only thing that has remained blue is the player’s language. His career glitters with awards and trophies but his performance on grass have been eclipsed by his activities off it of late.
7. Juan Sebastian Veron Lazio to Manchester United (2001) 28.1m
“When we bought Dwight Yorke, Jaap Stam and Jesper Blomqvist, they kick-started us that season, and hopefully Van Nistelrooy and Veron can do the same for us.” Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous last words.
6.Rio Ferdinand Leeds United to Manchester United (2002) 29.1m
Full time Tweeter, part time footballer Rio Ferdinand has become an iconic figure in British football. A Manchester United team without him is lesser for it and when John Terry lost the England captaincy it was a no brainer that Ferdinand took on the job.
5. Dimitar Berbatov Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester United (2008)30.75m
This was all high drama. After weeks and weeks of sulking and even refusing to play in certain games the striker was allegedly personally snatched by Sir Alex himself and to avoid the press, had a blanket thrown over him. The live footage on Sky of Berbatov walking in a Manchester United office and shaking hands with David Gill broke a few Spurs’ hearts.
4. Robinho Real Madrid to Manchester City (2008) 32.5m
Acrimonious would be a fair description of Robinho’s time at Manchester City. Eventually sold for £10M less than was paid for him the fee was only the half of it. The relief to get the player and his wage bill off the premises was worth the hit.
3.Andrei Shevchenko AC Milan to Chelsea (2006) 30.8m
He started brightly enough but ultimately Andrei won’t look back on his spell at Chelsea with much affection. He didn’t deliver and spent most of his latter months at Stamford Bridge getting booked for clumsy fouls that just highlighted his frustration.
2.Andy Carroll Newcastle United to Liverpool (2011) 35m
The Andy Carroll Mystery. Newcastle United said they didn’t want him to go. The player said he didn’t want to leave. Rumours are rife that the pony tailed booze hound maybe out for longer than was anticipated, perhaps the entire season.
1. Fernando Torres Liverpool to Chelsea (2011) 50 million
After half a season playing like a man with a stone in his shoe, it emerged he actually had a broken heart and all that would cure it was a nice shiny new Chelsea shirt. One helicopter ride and enough money to overthrow a minor government later the deal was done.
