Goal.com Special: Team Of The Summer Signings

Formation: 4-4-1-1  

Gregory Coupet (Paris Saint Germain)-GK-  

Coupet has joined PSG from Athletico Madrid for a fee of €1 million after an unsuccessful one year spell in Spain. The 36 year old will be looking to have a good season for the Paris based club to win back his regular place in the French national team.  

Glen Johnson (Liverpool)-RB-  

Glen Johnson has become one of the most expensive fullbacks in Europe after joining Liverpool for a fee of £18.5 million from south coast club Portsmouth. So much will be expected from the former West Ham defender especially after starting for England in their last three World Cup qualifiers.  

Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)-CB-  

The Belgian international is so far Arsenal’s only summer signing after completing his move from Dutch club Ajax in a deal said to be worth €12 million. Vermaelen is only nearly six feet tall and so hasn’t convinced too many critics that he can solve Arsenal’s defensive problems. But the left footed defender, who can also play as a left back, would be looking to make an instant impact and please the fans with his leadership qualities.  

Raul Albiol (Real Madrid)-CB-   

In comparison to Real Madrid’s other signings, Raul Albiol has come at a much modest transfer fee of just €15 million. Like Vermaelen, the 23 year old Spanish international is a versatile player who can also play as a left back or defensive midfielder. But his main aim would be to build up a strong partnership with Pepe at the heart of the Real defence.  

Ivan Marcano (Villarreal)-LB-  

Not too many high profile left backs have moved so far in this summer’s transfer window and even though both Vermaelen and Albiol can play as left backs, I pick Spanish Under-21 international Ivan Marcano, who has joined Villarreal from Racing Santander. Marcano was a regular in the Racing team which conceded only 48 league goals last season. He played most of last season as a center back but is equally capable of doing well at left back.  

Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)-RM-  

The Ecuador international became the first summer signing of the reigning English champions after completing his move from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee rumoured to be in the region of £16 million It remains to be seen as to whether he is the direct replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo but his pace and direct wing play should excite the Old Trafford faithful.  

Gareth Barry (Manchester City)-CDM-  

England international Gareth Barry became Man City’s first summer signing after sealing his £12 million move from Aston Villa. Barry would be facing competition from Kompany and De Jong in this position but his versatility and experience in the English game should help him get a regular place in the first team.  

Diego (Juventus)-CM-  

Juventus’s success next season would rely heavily on this Brazilian playmaker who sealed his €24.5 million move from Werder Bremen at the start of the transfer window. Playing in the Serie A would be much more difficult for Diego but his performances against Italian sides last season in Europe shouldn’t give Juve fans too many worries.  

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)-LM-  

The Portuguese star’s world record £80 million move from Man United has been one of the most talked about transfers of all time. The amount of the transfer fee and the fact that he had won two major individual awards last year will put a lot of pressure on Ronaldo. He would be looking to play at the same level for Real Madrid, if not better.  

Kaka (Real Madrid)-CAM-  

Despite continuously denying rumours linking him to Real Madrid, Brazilian international did eventually sign for the Spanish giants from AC Milan for a fee of ₤68.5 million. Kaka would play an equally important role for Real as Ronaldo, but it remains to be seen as to how well can these two superstars combine in the same team.  

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)-FW-  

The young French striker was also heavily linked with Man United but in the end he became another member of Real’s ‘Neo-Galactios Era’ after switching from Lyon for a fee of €35 million which could rise to €41 million. Benzema was a superstar in the French League but would have his work cut out to achieve the same in the Spanish La Liga which would be full of big name internationals players in the coming season.  

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea) 

Ancelotti put an end to his eight year stint at Milan after resigning at the end of last season and soon became the new Chelsea boss, signing a three-year contract worth, £9-million. The former Italian international who won two Champions League trophies with Milan as a coach, has been brought to do the same for Chelsea but winning the other three trophies will also be a target for the 50 year old.

Amoy Ghoshal