A Look at the Top 10 Transfers of 2009-10
Before we turn our attention towards the World Cup and the new season to follow, it's time for one final look back at the 2009-10 campaign and its ten best transfers. Let’s reflect on who the best buys were over the course of the campaign and which players had the biggest impact upon arriving at their new clubs in either the summer or winter.
The names of these players, who have roots that range across the globe, have been very carefully selected.
Let’s start with the first on the list; Diego Milito from Inter who signed from Genoa. The Argentina international scored 22 goals in Serie A and was on target twice against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. He was a key player in Inter's treble conquest. Second on the list we have Arjen Robben from Bayern Munich. The Dutch international scored against Fiorentina, Manchester United and Olympique Lyon in the knockout stages of the Champions League. He was the Bavarians' best player in Europe and also made indispensable contributions in their Bundesliga triumph. Next on the list is Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid with Twenty-six goals and seven assists in just 29 appearances in his first season in the Spanish Primera Liga, accomplishments that certainly make the Portuguese superstar a stand-out performer in 2009-10. At times Ronaldo single-handedly carried the team and justified the money Madrid gave to Manchester United for him.
Then at the forth position we have Wesley Sneijder from Inter. The Real Madrid reject turned out to be the final piece of the Inter puzzle in order for the club to compete in Europe. The Dutchman linked the midfield with the attack both in Serie A and in the Champions League and deservedly won the treble with the Nerazzurri. Next is Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow, this Japan international arrived in Moscow from VVV-Venlo in the middle of the 2009/10 season, and was an instant success. The 23-year-old won the last 16 tie against Sevilla with a brilliant performance in Spain as he set up the first goal and scored the second. Next at the sixth spot is Lisandro Lopez Lyon.
The Argentine striker was signed from Porto and ended up with 15 goals and five assists in Ligue 1. Moreover, Lopez scored against Liverpool in the Champions’ League group stage and twice against Bordeaux in the quarter-finals.
Then there’s Samuel Eto'o from Inter. The Cameroon international didn't have the most prolific of seasons as he often had to play further away from goal, but the former Barcelona striker became the first player in history to win back-to-back trebles with two different teams. His work ethic and team spirit were encouraging to watch. At the eighth place is Carlos Tevez from Manchester City, this Argentinean international crossed the great Manchester divide in the summer but settled with ease in the blue half of the city. Tevez scored 23 goals and provided seven assists in 35 Premier League appearances and showed his world class abilities.
Second last on the list is Bryan Ruiz from Twente, the Costa Rican international who scored 24 goals for eventual Dutch champions FC Twente. He signed from Gent in the summer for €5.5 million, the versatile player who can feature both as a striker and as a winger could move to a bigger club this summer. Finally there’s Adam Johnson of Manchester City who signed from Championship and also-ran Middlesbrough in the winter.
Adam Johnson had no problem in stepping up to the Premier League standards. His tricky moves and wing-plays entertained everyone at Man City; he also scored a brilliant goal against Sunderland.
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