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Goal.com Special: Top 10 Bundesliga Summer Signings
With the Bundesliga season halfway through, Clark Whitney picks the most impressive summer signings.
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Jan 4, 2010 11:00:00 AM
10) Maik Franz (Karlsruhe to Eintracht Frankfurt) - The towering defender known as “Iron Maik” jumped ship this summer as Karlsruhe were demoted to the 2. Bundesliga. Frankfurt picked him up for an undisclosed fee, and have been repaid handsomely for their investment. In addition to providing his usual, no-nonsense defending, Franz has developed a real knack for scoring goals. At the halfway mark, he’s managed five, just one less than team leader Alexander Meier.
9) Lukas Schmitz (Bochum to Schalke) - Despite never having played in the Bundesliga before his transfer this summer, the versatile 21-year old has rapidly risen to prominence as a left midfielder with the capacity to play at left back and in central midfield. His record of goals and assists may not be impressive, but it is all the little things that Schmitz does that make him such a good player. As Schalke prepare to sell many of their stars, Schmitz will see his role increased even more in the near future.
8) Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos to Mainz, loan) - An unlikely hero, the Austrian midfielder had a remarkable start to the 2009-10 campaign, scoring six goals and assisting in many more in his first 12 matches. His form has since declined, but Ivanschitz has truly proven his worth thus far. Assuming his productivity continues, Mainz will be keen to make the move permanent.
7) Marko Marin (Borussia M’gladbach to Werder Bremen) - Some may question his overall productivity, but Marin is a buy for the future. Whilst he has managed a respectable but unspectacular two goals and three assists, Marin has been a real catalyst for the Bremen attack. Armed with pace, creativity and uncommon dribbling technique, the 20-year old has the rare ability to create the kind of spark that rouses an entire team. Without Marin in his free supporting role, Bremen would be a far lesser team.
6) Claudio Pizarro (Chelsea to Werder Bremen) - If they were ever to reach their previous heights, Bremen really needed a quality striker, and that they received in Pizarro. Whilst he has struggled with injury, the Peruvian hitman has still managed 12 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions. A big-game performer, Pizarro has shown his class on the international stage, and will continue to play a pivotal role in his team’s domestic and Europa League competitions.
5) Ze Roberto (free transfer to Hamburg) - Many have cited Bayern’s failure to re-sign Ze Roberto as a major mistake, and it’s easy to see why. At 35, the versatile Brazilian just never seems to stop running. Before being struck with a major ankle injury in round 12, Ze scored five goals and produced two assists, whilst also providing superb deep cover in central midfield. As free transfers go, it is very, very difficult to find better value. There is, however, a downside. Still unsure of when he will be able to return, it is entirely possible that the veteran midfielder may not come back with the same quality that he has shown since his return to Germany in 2007. For that reason alone, Ze is pulled down to fifth.
4) Sami Hyypia (free transfer to Bayer Leverkusen) - Liverpool must be kicking themselves for letting go of the man who donned their red for a decade. Whilst Martin Skrtel has played a major role in Liverpool’s miserable start to the 2009-10 campaign, Hyypia is one of the main reasons Leverkusen were crowned the Bundesliga’s winter champions. At 36, the Finn has provided much-needed leadership to the Leverkusen back line, and left Rene Adler with very little to worry about in goal. To date, only 40 shots have threatened Adler’s goal, a tally that is easily the league’s best record.
3) Ivica Olic (free transfer to Bayern Munich) - He is neither a goal-scoring machine nor a technical wizard, but Olic is one of the league’s best players. Few players on the planet can challenge his work rate, which is absolutely awe-inspiring. In the absence of Franck Ribery, Bayern needed someone to set an example, to reignite their desire, and that they received in Olic. The Croatian international’s never-ceasing intensity has seen him score six goals and assist three more in league play.
2) Lucas Barrios (Colo Colo to Borussia Dortmund) - When Barrios transferred from Chilean outfit Colo Colo to Dortmund, many sceptics viewed the move as inappropriate. Some even said that the purchase was made based solely on a Youtube video that highlighted his 37 goals in 38 matches for Colo Colo. It took him seven matches to get off the mark in league play, but since October 3, he has scored a remarkable nine goals in 10 matches. A true poaching striker, Barrios is exactly what Dortmund have lacked since the departure of Mladen Petric, and will play an integral role in his team’s 2010 campaign. And at €4.5m, Barrios’ quality to price ratio cannot be ignored.
1) Eljero Elia (Twente to Hamburg) - Adapting to a new league is never an easy task, but Elia has taken the move in his stride. At the halfway point, the speedy Dutch winger is in the running for the league’s most valuable player award. Taking into consideration the difficulty of his move from Twente to Hamburg, plus the bargain transfer price of €8.5m, Elia is easily the league’s best transfer. Armed with a creative flare, a thunderous shot and exceptional pace and dribbling skill, the young Dutchman seems destined to be a star of the future. Watch for him to make a real splash at the World Cup.
What are your views on this topic? Do you agree with the list above? Who do you believe has been the best summer signing in Bundesliga so far? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Clark Whitney, Goal.com
9) Lukas Schmitz (Bochum to Schalke) - Despite never having played in the Bundesliga before his transfer this summer, the versatile 21-year old has rapidly risen to prominence as a left midfielder with the capacity to play at left back and in central midfield. His record of goals and assists may not be impressive, but it is all the little things that Schmitz does that make him such a good player. As Schalke prepare to sell many of their stars, Schmitz will see his role increased even more in the near future.
8) Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos to Mainz, loan) - An unlikely hero, the Austrian midfielder had a remarkable start to the 2009-10 campaign, scoring six goals and assisting in many more in his first 12 matches. His form has since declined, but Ivanschitz has truly proven his worth thus far. Assuming his productivity continues, Mainz will be keen to make the move permanent.
7) Marko Marin (Borussia M’gladbach to Werder Bremen) - Some may question his overall productivity, but Marin is a buy for the future. Whilst he has managed a respectable but unspectacular two goals and three assists, Marin has been a real catalyst for the Bremen attack. Armed with pace, creativity and uncommon dribbling technique, the 20-year old has the rare ability to create the kind of spark that rouses an entire team. Without Marin in his free supporting role, Bremen would be a far lesser team.
6) Claudio Pizarro (Chelsea to Werder Bremen) - If they were ever to reach their previous heights, Bremen really needed a quality striker, and that they received in Pizarro. Whilst he has struggled with injury, the Peruvian hitman has still managed 12 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions. A big-game performer, Pizarro has shown his class on the international stage, and will continue to play a pivotal role in his team’s domestic and Europa League competitions.
5) Ze Roberto (free transfer to Hamburg) - Many have cited Bayern’s failure to re-sign Ze Roberto as a major mistake, and it’s easy to see why. At 35, the versatile Brazilian just never seems to stop running. Before being struck with a major ankle injury in round 12, Ze scored five goals and produced two assists, whilst also providing superb deep cover in central midfield. As free transfers go, it is very, very difficult to find better value. There is, however, a downside. Still unsure of when he will be able to return, it is entirely possible that the veteran midfielder may not come back with the same quality that he has shown since his return to Germany in 2007. For that reason alone, Ze is pulled down to fifth.
4) Sami Hyypia (free transfer to Bayer Leverkusen) - Liverpool must be kicking themselves for letting go of the man who donned their red for a decade. Whilst Martin Skrtel has played a major role in Liverpool’s miserable start to the 2009-10 campaign, Hyypia is one of the main reasons Leverkusen were crowned the Bundesliga’s winter champions. At 36, the Finn has provided much-needed leadership to the Leverkusen back line, and left Rene Adler with very little to worry about in goal. To date, only 40 shots have threatened Adler’s goal, a tally that is easily the league’s best record.
3) Ivica Olic (free transfer to Bayern Munich) - He is neither a goal-scoring machine nor a technical wizard, but Olic is one of the league’s best players. Few players on the planet can challenge his work rate, which is absolutely awe-inspiring. In the absence of Franck Ribery, Bayern needed someone to set an example, to reignite their desire, and that they received in Olic. The Croatian international’s never-ceasing intensity has seen him score six goals and assist three more in league play.
2) Lucas Barrios (Colo Colo to Borussia Dortmund) - When Barrios transferred from Chilean outfit Colo Colo to Dortmund, many sceptics viewed the move as inappropriate. Some even said that the purchase was made based solely on a Youtube video that highlighted his 37 goals in 38 matches for Colo Colo. It took him seven matches to get off the mark in league play, but since October 3, he has scored a remarkable nine goals in 10 matches. A true poaching striker, Barrios is exactly what Dortmund have lacked since the departure of Mladen Petric, and will play an integral role in his team’s 2010 campaign. And at €4.5m, Barrios’ quality to price ratio cannot be ignored.
1) Eljero Elia (Twente to Hamburg) - Adapting to a new league is never an easy task, but Elia has taken the move in his stride. At the halfway point, the speedy Dutch winger is in the running for the league’s most valuable player award. Taking into consideration the difficulty of his move from Twente to Hamburg, plus the bargain transfer price of €8.5m, Elia is easily the league’s best transfer. Armed with a creative flare, a thunderous shot and exceptional pace and dribbling skill, the young Dutchman seems destined to be a star of the future. Watch for him to make a real splash at the World Cup.
What are your views on this topic? Do you agree with the list above? Who do you believe has been the best summer signing in Bundesliga so far? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Clark Whitney, Goal.com
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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