EPL: Top five bargain buys

Manchester United‘s marquee transfer of hitman Robin Van Persie last summer was instrumental in winning them their 20th league title; but it came with a hefty price tag of 24 million euros. However, some players made a massive difference to their sides despite their mediocre price tag. Here is a list of five such players who have stood out with their amazing performances this season. As the saying goes, the side that has a bigger gun, wins the battle. But here is a compilation of such unsung players who shook the league and showed that it is talent, and not just a hefty price tag, that matters.

1. Jose Manuel ‘Chico’ Flores (From Genoa to Swansea for £2 million )

Michael Laudrup had a good look at him during his managerial tenure at RCD Mallorca, where he had got him on loan from Genoa. When he made his move to Swansea, he took Chico along with him. Pundits are generally apprehensive of Spanish defenders in the EPL, but Chico has proved them all wrong. In Swansea’s phenomenal season, he has been the rock at the back. His clean, physical dispossession of attackers and aggressive tackling has been worth watching. His great aerial presence is an added advantage. At 2 million, he has performed better than most heavyweight newcomers this season.

2. James Collins (From Aston Villa to West Ham United for £ 2.5 million)

The Welsh international’s return to Upton Park for a mere 2.5 million has seen him emerge as Mr. Dependable for The Hammers. Other than delivering incisive long balls to strikers and making aggressive tackles, he can also make runs upfield and score goals. He has been the reason West Ham held their own against the lethal attacks of the high-profile teams in the league.

3. Claudio Yacob ( From Racing Club de Avellaneda to West Brom for free)

Racing Club released their captain for free, and West Brom didn’t miss the opportunity to sign him up immediately. Since then, he has redefined deep-lying playmaker’s role in the Premier League. The 25-year-old Argentinian has been called ‘a poor man’s Yaya Toure’. He has gelled well with the team, and can initiate an attack and track back to defend as and when needed. His intelligent positioning and attacking play has won him plaudits since his debut for the Baggies against Liverpool, in which he also bagged the Man of the match award.

4. Romelu Lukaku (From Chelsea to West Brom on Loan)

He stands tall at 6′ 3″, is lethal in front of goal, has scored a hat-trick against Manchester United to salvage a 5-5 draw in what was Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge, and is just 19 years old. He has enjoyed one of the finest spells a player can have on a loan spell, being preferred over regular striker Shane Long for almost the entire season. He ranked 6th in the top-scorers charts in the league, and has 17 goals this season. He is pushing hard for a move to West Ham or Borussia Dortmund, either on loan or as a permanent signing; but he has the class at this very young age to become the next Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge.

5. Miguel Perez Cuesta ‘Michu’ (From Rayo Vallecano to Swansea for £2 million)

Words are not enough to praise his heroics. His transfer has proved that Alan Pardew now has competition from Mr Laudrup in making bargain buys. Following Gylfi Sigurdsson’s transfer, Swansea found an apt replacement in Michu, slotting him into the false 9 position. From a goal in his debut against QPR, which also was the first goal of this season, he has netted a mind-boggling 19 goals. Definitely the buy of the season.