The largest transfers in CCC this summer- do they deserve it ?

Although Championship is not about the half money there is in major European soccer leagues, there were still some pretty hefty transfers this year. We will point out the most interesting ones because the invested money didn’t pay off quite the way it should’ve.

Robbie Earnshaw

Biggest transfer this summer, at least by the disclosed amount, is the transfer of Nottingham Forest striker, Robby Earnshow. This injury-liable, 27 year-old, was paid even 2.6 million pounds to come to the former European champions from their local rivals Derby County. Over the last couple of years, numerous injuries have prevented him from putting some vintage displays he showed playing for Cardiff, WBA and Norwich. He failed to show his worth wearing red shirt so far, his injuries keep rolling on. Forest are notching up defeats, embarrassing themselves, and they are convincingly last at the standings. Final judgment, even in case he starts playing a lot better is: FAILURE.

Second biggest is the transfer of the striker Nicky Maynard, who came from Crewe Alexandre to Bristol City. He was paid even 2.25 million pounds, coming with the title of League One top-scorer for the last season, bagging even 37 goals in all competitions. He is only 21, extremely talented player and the money spent on him can be justified with that. Robins’ manager, Gary Johnson is using him with greatest of care, allowing him to play only 20-30 minutes per game for now. The reason is, of course, his age and inexperience, but this is undoubtedly another shining pearl coming from Crewe’s famous youth academy. Final Judgment: BULL’S EYE, because of his age club’s vision makes sense, they will sell him more than double after the couple of years.

Darius Henderson signed for Sheffield United this summer, coming to Blades from financially troubled Watford for 2 million pounds. He showed a class last season netting like mad in the yellow shirt and he is now in his best years. However, Blades’ investment didn’t pay off for now, since Henderson suffered a difficult hamstring injury keeping him sidelined for two months now and he is expected to come back in 2-3 weeks. Final judgment: FAILURE for now

This summer, Burnley brought young and sharp, lethal striker Martin Paterson from Scunthorpe United, paying him 1.4 million pounds. Fans from Glanford Park adored Paterson, he bagged 13 goals playing for that club in their last, unsuccessful season. He is now also netting, this time for Lancashire Club, scored 4 goals so far, being the irreplaceable up front alongside the experienced Steven Thompson. After the off start, Burnley are now notching up successful performances with him aboard, playing brilliantly both home and away. Being only 21, we can say this is another BULL’S EYE.

Of all the transfers worth 1.2 million pounds, we will point out the purchase of the Australian midfielder, Nick Carle, who came to Crystal Palace from Bristol City, as the real BULL’S EYE. This fantastic playmaker, technician, shooter and restless runner was the epicenter of Bristol City’s last years’ play-off finals quest. He played only one half-season for them because he was in Turkish Gencerbirligi until the January 2008. He is now Neil Warnock’s strongest link and an irreplaceable midfield asset. Another BULL’S EYE in this range of transfers is the swoop of multi-talented, but non-disciplined Wolverhampton striker, Freddy Eastwood to Coventry City. Freddy is already paying off the invested money with the goals he scores. Another excellent, talented striker, but so far pale in the anemic Barnsley is Ian Hume, who came for the same money from Leicester where he was the best player in last season’s catastrophic campaign for the Foxes. He will be judged as the BULL’S EYE yet to come. Another player who can be marked FAILURE is Morgan Schneiderlin who also came to Southampton from French Strasbourg for 1.2 million pounds but failed to adapt so far.

It is interesting that some of the illustrious players were paid less than above mentioned transfers: Marcus Bent came to Birmingham City from Charlton for 1 million pounds, just like Chris Eagles who came to Burnley from Manchester United. Another expensive, but so far unworthy investment is Joe Garner who came to Nottingham Forest from Carlisle United for 1.1 million pounds.

We would say that Wolverhampton had the best transfer deal with their Chris Iwelumo who is the best player in the league for now and the fresh Scottish cap, who has scored 7 goals so far. His transfer fee wasn’t disclosed, but whatever the price was, we feel that Charlton didn’t get enough money since Iwelumo will definitely soon go to some Premier League side.

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