I’m biased of course, but I’d probably have Cantona top. Best player, no; but he was the catalyst that transformed us from “nearly” team to winners. He was imperious before his bank and inspirational after.

I think Rio is a decent shout as we struggled at the back the season before he came and it really cost us. He didn’t find his best form for a few seasons though.

Kante is an interesting one: two seasons, two transfers, two titles!

*before his ban

Auguero

What’s is the criteria for it being a great deal?

Campbell seems very high to me that’s all

notable omissions might include schmeichel, bale, suarez, and torres. maybe ashley cole, even kyle walker.

not entirely sure that dropping a world record fee on VVD counts as that canny, and much as i enjoyed watching zola he didn't really win an awful lot for chelsea.

If you have VVD you have to have Alisson. Both have transformed us into winners

Schmeichel was bought pre PL.

comment by Divoc==8k (U22339)
posted 0 seconds ago
If you have VVD you have to have Alisson. Both have transformed us into winners
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agreed.

dump VVD then.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 28 seconds ago
Schmeichel was bought pre PL.
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blimey, time flies when the world is in the grip of a lethal pandemic.

The title implies that the price has to be taken into account surely? Otherwise just call it the 20 most influential signings. Which for me WR fees should only be included if what they achieved was something incredible like what Ronaldo achieved for Real.

comment by Geoff Tipps (U1449)
posted 4 minutes ago
What’s is the criteria for it being a great deal?

Campbell seems very high to me that’s all
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They don’t really say. They probably take a few things into account - price, success, influence, performances

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 12 seconds ago
The title implies that the price has to be taken into account surely? Otherwise just call it the 20 most influential signings. Which for me WR fees should only be included if what they achieved was something incredible like what Ronaldo achieved for Real.
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Agreed which may be why Rio wasn’t included, it wasn’t a WR fee but it was high for the time. I’m sure he was close though

Campbell, Kompany and VVD the three best defensive signings in the prem.

Suarez excluded presumably because he didn’t win the league?

Still better than a lot of those.

Sat Nav

Then why was VVD included? He’s a great player but I wouldnt say he’s been one of the best deals, no more so than Rio or Vidic, maybe in a few years time but not yet.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 1 second ago
Sat Nav

Then why was VVD included? He’s a great player but I wouldnt say he’s been one of the best deals, no more so than Rio or Vidic, maybe in a few years time but not yet.
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Probably the influence factor. United was already a beast when United signed Rio and when Vidic signed he helped us return to the top no doubt but I think the 3 year gap vs 30 year gap is probably what clinched it for VVD.

Evra, Cole, Rio and Vidic were all better signings than any of those defenders listed here.

comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 2 minutes ago
Suarez excluded presumably because he didn’t win the league?

Still better than a lot of those.
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Individually yes but ultimately he probably didn’t do it long enough or bit too many people? Good mention though he was unbelievably good for Liverpool

Did any of these “great deals” leave the buying team worse off than they were before, I wonder?

But VVD was one of a few key players for Liverpool, Allisson was just as key and bought at the same time. Both Rio and Vidic achieved more but VVD could equal them, just not yet.

3 City players from one period seems a bit too many for me. Clearly they were great but I think there are others who helped other clubs achieve greater things.

actually, coutinho has to be in with a shout, bought for less than £10m, sold for (well) over £100m.

Yes lampard above vieira. He had like double the awards and double the appearances at chelsea. Was captain in a cl final win and the highest goal scoring midfielder in pl history. Also Chelsea’s highest goalscorer of all time.

There’s a good argument for Lampard being number one on the list, all things considered.

comment by Donny The King van de Beek (U10026)
posted 9 minutes ago
Evra, Cole, Rio and Vidic were all better signings than any of those defenders listed here.
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Agree. Bizarre. Vvd should, at least yet, not be mentioned. Especially at the price he cost. Chelsea got rid of a toxic player and got the best lb in the world for 5 plus years for example, for 5 million quid