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There are many things to take in to account when appraising the success of a club’s signings. I’ve had to look at both their on and off field record and balance the two in choosing a top three for each club during the Premier League years. On the field, I took in to account number of appearances and achievements and off the field, it was things like purchase price, profit and dressing room impact. So, here we go:
Thierry Henry (R) of Arsenal celebrates scoring with teammate Dennis Bergkamp during the Dutchman’s testimonial against Ajax in 2006. (Getty Images)
Arsenal have made a lot of wonderful signings under their belt since 1992. The likes of Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg were excellent but these three stand out.Thierry Henry: Having arrived with his reputation lessened by a stint wasted out on the wing at Juventus, only Arsene Wenger could have expected what came next – a trophy-laden spell culminating in him becoming the club’s all-time record goal scorer.
Patrick Vieira: The Frenchman changed the way Arsenal were perceived. His imposing dominance in midfield made him one of the best players in the world, and his leadership was invaluable in turning Arsenal in to a winning machine. All of that for just £3.5m
Dennis Bergkamp: Arsenal’s first real coup of the Premier League years. He was signed in his absolute prime and scored some of Arsenal’s greatest goals. Off the field, his continental professionalism and work ethic transformed Arsenal from a team of pub dwellers to a slick, highly tuned outfit.
Villa have a mixed record in the market with as many duds as successes, but they found time to pick out these stellar signings.
Gareth Southgate: The Englishman was picked up for just £2.5m in 1995 at a time that he was arguably the best centre-back in country. He lifted the League Cup and provided excellent leadership. He was sold on for £8m.
Martin Laursen: Perhaps the best player to have played for Villa in the Premier League. He arrived for only £3m from AC Milan and immediately demonstrated his caliber. He had problems with injury but when he was on the pitch, Villa were a transformed team. Was the club’s Player of the Year in 2008.
Gareth Barry: Having arrived as a teenager for £2.5m as a left-back and went on to play across the defence and in midfield in nearly 400 games for the club. He provided leadership and hard work to a team that was often bobbling around in transition.
1996: Chelsea new signing Gianfranco Zola meets the press with manager Ruud Gullit (right) at Stamford Bridge in London. (Getty Images)
Chelsea have been through a load of high priced and big name players over the years but there are 3 of them who have had a massive influence on the club.
Frank Lampard: 200 goals from midfield, 3 Premier League titles and a Champions League. For £11m? Say no more.
Marcel Desailly: Desailly’s signing signaled a sea change at Chelsea. He arrived in 1998 having hoisted the World Cup and gave the club a legitimacy that set them up for their first Champions League qualification, and from there, they built towards a team that a certain wealthy Russian would want to buy.
Gianfranco Zola: His signing started the Chelsea regeneration. He cost £4.5m and gave 8 years of opulent skill and flair. He helped to instill a winning approach to the club with his steely professionalism and leadership by example.
Everton’s recent record in the transfer market is much better than their early years, when they fought relegation with an expensive squad.
Leighton Baines: Plucked from Wigan for £6m in 2007, he has hardly missed a minute of game time since. One of the 5 most consistent players in that time period, he has given Everton relentlessly good performances. He has taken his game to another level over the last couple of years. Worth over £20m now.
Tim Cahill: The very definition of a bargain at just £1.5m, Cahill proved doubters who thought he couldn’t make it in the Premier League completely wrong. He came as a central midfielder and developed his game to a point where he often played as a lone striker. Grabbed hold of games and dragged his team to victory on numerous occasions.
Phil Neville: Having cost only £3.5m from Man United in 2005, his arrival has coincided with a prolonged period of sustained good league performance for Everton. As captain, Neville has brought the winning attitude expected at Old Trafford and transformed the culture at Everton.
Former Fulham’s player Clint Dempsey pictured here is 2012 after scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage. (Getty Images)
Fulham
Fulham arrived on a wave of big spending and have since had to tone it down and look more for bargains.
Edwin van der Sar: It’s hard to picture a newly promoted club signing the best keeper in the world now, but in 2001, Fulham laid out £7m for van der Sar. It showed that they were serious about establishing themselves as a Premier League force. He showed a team largely without top flight experience how to win big games.
Clint Dempsey: Dempsey cost just £2m and has probably been Fulham’s best Premier League player. He got better year on year and scored key goals in Fulham’s run to the 2010 Europa League final. He is the club’s top scorer in the league.
Louis Saha: Saha arrived for £2m in 2000 and scored 27 goals to take Fulham to the Premier League for the first time. He kept on scoring in the top flight, helping Fulham to establish themselves as a Premier league force. They sold him for £12.4m, a handsome profit. 
