Source: Daily_Mail
Top 10 signings of the season: Sportsmail picks out the best buys of 2010-11
ShareAs the football season draws to a close, most fans will be analysing the campaign, going through the 'ifs' and 'buts' of how their team could have fared better - save for a lucky few. [LNB]One place to start is the signings made that can often change the course of a team's season. [LNB]Here, in no particular order, Sportsmail looks at the top 10 transfers across the four divisions in England. [LNB]Javier Hernandez (Manchester United, ?6m from Guadalajara) Hands up who had watched the Mexican play before last summer's World Cup? [LNB]Such has been his impact at Manchester United that even Sir Alex Ferguson must be surprised by how easily the 22-year-old has adapted. [LNB] Immediate impact: Striker Javier Hernandez has enjoyed a superb first season with Manchester United[LNB]The striker has scored 20 goals this campaign but it's 'Chicharito's' tendency to find the back of the net when United need a goal most that has made him stand out. [LNB]None more so than the opportunistic opener after 36 seconds against Chelsea that helped effectively seal the title for United. [LNB]The fact that top scorer Dimitar Berbatov has lost his place in the side to him speaks volumes. [LNB]Darren Bent (Aston Villa, ?24m from Sunderland) Gerard Houllier's reign at Aston Villa has not been one of huge success but he must be given credit for this January swoop. [LNB] Staying alive: Darren Bent's goals have dragged Aston Villa away from trouble at the foot of the table[LNB]Bent has been worth every penny, scoring crucial goals in wins against Arsenal, Manchester City, West Ham and two in a draw with Everton. [LNB]Without those points Villa would be in huge trouble at the bottom and with their next best strikers Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor on three goals each, it's hard to see how they could have stayed up without England international Bent. [LNB]Luis Suarez (Liverpool, ?22.8m from Ajax) If you listen closely you can still hear Liverpool laughing all the way to the bank after recruiting Suarez and pocketing ?50m from Chelsea for Fernando Torres.[LNB] Kop idol: Luis Suarez (right) is already a fans' favourite at Anfield after some fine performances for Liverpool[LNB]The 24-year-old Uruguay international has only scored four times for the Reds but his overall contribution has been outstanding - especially with ?35m fellow new boy Andy Carroll struggling for fitness.[LNB] Suarez has formed a lethal partnership with Dirk Kuyt and the sight of a stroppy Spaniard with his hands on his hips is long gone. (Can now been seen in west London wearing blue). [LNB]Jermaine Pennant (Stoke, ?2.8m from Real Zaragoza) For a career that was in danger of going into terminal decline after poor spells at Liverpool, Portsmouth and Real Zaragoza, the turnaround in form that Pennant has produced this season has been quite remarkable. [LNB] So close: Jermaine Pennant has enjoyed a fine season with Stoke despite losing the FA Cup final[LNB]Initially signing for Stoke on a four-month loan deal, it didn't take long for boss Tony Pulis to make the move permanent after a string of top performances on the right of midfield. [LNB]The 28-year-old's link-up with Kenwyne Jones in attack has been key in Stoke's march to the FA Cup final and a place in the Europa League. [LNB]Cheik Tiote (Newcastle, undisclosed from Twente) One of the low-key transfers of the summer but Tiote's first season at Newcastle has been a huge success - with 42 per cent of fans voting him the club's player of the year. [LNB]Discipline has proved a problem (he is booked on average every other game) but the 24-year-old's no-nonsense tackling is complemented with some finesse and style on the ball. [LNB] Talk of the Toon: The Newcastle faithful have taken to Ivory Coast midfielder Cheik Tiote [LNB]Few fans will forget the Ivorian midfielder's stunning volley in the 4-4 draw against Arsenal where the Toon had been 4-0 down. [LNB]Tiote signed a new contract in February but that won't stop top clubs snooping around over the summer. [LNB]Yaya Toure (Manchester City, ?28m from Barcelona) There was no doubt that Toure was considered a fine central midfielder when he joined Manchester City last summer - but few could think of ways he could justify his enormous ?205,000-a-week wages. [LNB] Because I'm worth it: Yaya Toure (centre) celebrates after winning the FA Cup for Manchester City [LNB]Ending City's 35-year wait for a trophy proved to be the answer. A masterstroke from manager Roberto Mancini was to push the 28-year-old into a more attacking role and his goals in the FA Cup semi-final and final will live long in the memory of any City fan. [LNB]His fine form throughout the season has helped City qualify for the Champions League too. [LNB]Adel Taarabt (QPR, ?1m from Tottenham) Three miserable years at Tottenham have instantly been forgotten by Taarabt, who has been the stand-out player in the Championship since moving to Loftus Road last summer. [LNB] The only way is up: Adel Taarabt helped steer QPR to the Premier League as Championship winners[LNB]The attacking midfielder has been a bit of an enigma in the game, failing to break into the Spurs side due to his work ethic (or lack of) but at times acting as a one-man band in QPR's canter towards the Championship title. [LNB]Many eyes will be on the 21-year-old when he turns up in the Premier League in August. The Moroccan has already proven his worth to his club, with boss Neil Warnock making him captain, but he still has doubters and only by keeping QPR in the top flight can he silence them. [LNB]Scott Sinclair (Swansea, ?1m from Chelsea) After being involved in more loan deals than your average banker, Sinclair finally found a new permanent home when he joined the Welsh outfit last summer. [LNB] On the way to Wembley: Scott Sinclair (left) has helped Swansea to the Championship play-off final[LNB]After struggling to find the net on a regular basis before his move, the winger has scored 24 goals this campaign to fire the play-off finalists to within touching distance of the Premier League. [LNB]At just 22-years-old he is still learning his trade but it would take a lot more than the ?1m paid to take him away from the Liberty Stadium. [LNB]Gordon Greer (Brighton, ?250,000 from Swindon) Signing from League One rivals Swindon, the defender's debut for Brighton was memorable for the all the wrong reasons. He was sent off against Rochdale having just returned from suspension. [LNB] Solid: Gordon Greer has made the Brighton rearguard hard to beat on the way to the League One title[LNB]But the Scot soon established himself in a Brighton team that would storm to the top of the table and show no signs of letting up - his presence enough to be named in the division's team of the season. [LNB]Former employers Swindon especially felt the loss of the 30-year-old at the back as they plummeted to the bottom of the league. [LNB]Craig Davies (Chesterfield, free from Brighton)His career appeared to have stumbled to a halt on being released by Brighton last summer, but the striker hasn't looked back since signing for Chesterfield. [LNB] Kiss me quick: Craig Davies celebrates Chesterfield winning the League Two title[LNB]The 25-year-old has had by far his most prolific season to date, scoring 25 times in all competitions and helping the Spireites to the League Two title. [LNB]After finally settling at a club, the Welshman will have another crack at trying to prove himself in League One by helping the Spireites consolidate their place in England's third tier.[LNB] Kaka in London... but he says he will not be signing for ChelseaTop 10 biggest Premier League transfer flops of the 2010-11 seasonWest Ham fire sale: Who will be on their way and for how much? [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Emile Heskey, Neil Warnock, Andy Carroll, Gordon Greer, Fernando Torres, Gerard Houllier, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Tony Pulis, Darren Bent, Dimitar Berbatov, Dirk Kuyt, Roberto Mancini Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, United Kingdom
