Source: Daily_Mail
Jamie Redknapp: United's Javier Hernandez could be the buy of the century
Javier Hernandez has scored 18 goals since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer. He cost just ?6million.[LNB] In an era of ?50m strikers, Hernandez is real value for money, a top bit of business by Sir Alex Ferguson. That's why I hailed him as one of the best buys of the century while covering United's Champions League quarter-final win over Chelsea for Sky Sports. [LNB]He scores goals and bosses will pay top whack for players who do that. Sir Alex didn't have to.[LNB] Easy Peasy: Javier Hernandez scores against Chelsea[LNB]JAMIE'S TOP THREE JAVIER HERNANDEZ [LNB]?6m Guadalajara to Man Utd, 2010[LNB]TIM CAHILL [LNB]?1.7m Millwall to Everton, 2004[LNB]I love players coming from the lower leagues and making a success of themselves. Just look at Everton when he doesn't play - he is sorely missed.[LNB]GARETH BALE [LNB]?5m (and rising) Southampton to Spurs, 2007 [LNB]His potential is boundless. He's amodern-day athlete, who just getsbetter and better. I've seen itfirst-hand working in the ChampionsLeague this season: everyone inEurope is talking about him. [LNB]Hernandez isn't a kid, either. Yes, he's 22, but he's a tried and tested striker with international pedigree. He played at the World Cup where he featured in every game for Mexico and scored twice - against France and Argentina. Signing him was not much of a gamble.[LNB] He looks like the sort of player who will go on to be a success for many seasons at Old Trafford because he has a love of the game. [LNB]People talk about secondseason syndrome, but his movement has convinced me of his quality. He reminds me of Robbie Fowler but quicker. He plays on the edge, hanging on the shoulder of the last defender. He makes it difficult for opponents and assistant referees - as we saw twice against Chelsea.[LNB] I also think Tim Cahill and Gareth Bale have been brilliant buys since 2000. So they're both in my top three. [LNB]And here's what sportsmail's other experts think...[LNB]MARTIN KEOWNCRISTIANO RONALDO [LNB] ?12m Sporting Lisbon to Man Utd, 2003 [LNB]Delivered trophies. At times unplayable, strutting down the wing and terrorising defences. His legacy is more than the money he was sold for. [LNB] PETR CECH [LNB]?7m Rennes to Chelsea, 2004 [LNB]An absolute snip at ?7m and an inspired signing. Chelsea have had one of the best - if not the best - goalkeeper in the Premier League for the last five years. [LNB]CESC FABREGAS [LNB]?700,000 Barca to Arsenal, 2003 [LNB]So cheap for what Arsenal got. He is superb to watch. [LNB]People talk about Steven Gerrard at Liverpool but Fabregas is the same at the Emirates: when he is in the team, Arsenal invariably win; when he's not, they struggle. [LNB][LNB]MATT LAWTON CRISTIANO RONALDO [LNB]For ?12m United bought a prodigy who became a superstar. His 42-goal season has gone down in lore. United made ?68m profit but got two Champions League finals out of him first. PETR CECH [LNB]Arsene Wenger should read this: Cech's the keeper in front of which title-winning teams were built. Just ?7m bought eight major trophies. Solid, dependable, world class. XABI ALONSO [LNB]?10m R Sociedad to Liverpool, 2004 [LNB]Bought for ?10m, sold for ?30m, having helped Liverpool win the Champions League, reach a second final and lift the FA Cup. His calm and effective passing was the perfect foil for Steven Gerrard to turn in match-winning performances. [LNB][LNB]ANDY TOWNSEND KOLO TOURE [LNB]?150,000 ASEC Mimosas to Arsenal, 2002[LNB] An absolute warrior who formed a worldclass partnership with Sol Campbell. They sold him for ?16m, which turned out to be fantastic business. [LNB]JOE HART [LNB]?600,000 Shrewsbury to Man City, 2006 [LNB]City bought an England keeper for peanuts. He played 50 games in League Two before he had turned 18. His displays ooze confidence and he will only get better. [LNB]FRANK LAMPARD [LNB]?11m West Ham to Chelsea, 2001 [LNB]Their most consistent performer in the Abramovich era - even if this season hasn't been his finest. Has played more than 500 games at around 50 a season and Chelsea never looked to make a profit as his performances were priceless. [LNB] [LNB] [LNB]DES KELLYNEMANJA VIDIC [LNB]?7m Sp Moscow to Man Utd, 2006 [LNB]The natural heir to Stam. Remarkable value if you consider you can buy three and a half Vidics for one Joleon Lescott.[LNB] CESC FABREGAS [LNB]Now the finished article - and will be worth 50 times that original steal fee if the Catalans wish to bring his story full circle. [LNB]EDWIN VAN DER SAR [LNB]?2m Fulham to Man Utd, 2005 [LNB]No wonder Ferguson wants to extend his career. He's the best since Schmeichel. [LNB]MICHAEL WALKERFRANK LAMPARD [LNB]Has been a priceless contributor to Chelsea's best-ever decade. [LNB]PATRICE EVRA [LNB]?5.5m Monaco to Man Utd, 2006 [LNB]He adjusted quickly to the rhythm of United's football and to English physicality. [LNB]JIMMY BULLARD [LNB]?275,000 Peterborough to Wigan, 2003 [LNB]Wigan were in the third tier when Bullard signed. By October 2006 Wigan were second in the top flight. He then helped establish them as the most unlikely PL club. [LNB] MATT BARLOWFRANK LAMPARD [LNB]Has played 502 games and scored 166 goals. That's less than ?60,000 a goal.[LNB]CRISTIANO RONALDO [LNB] He was both brilliantly entertaining and ruthlessly clinical, although a bit of a supercilious winker at times.[LNB] KEVIN DAVIES [LNB]?0 Southampton to Bolton, 2003 [LNB]Most were ready to file him away as a flop, but has barely missed a game in eight seasons since. [LNB]Not prolific, but leads the line selflessly and now a dignified captain. [LNB]DOMINIC KINGTIM CAHILL [LNB]Averages a goal from midfield every four games. Moyes rightly rates this as his best piece of business.[LNB] JAY-JAY OKOCHA [LNB]?0 PSG to Bolton, 2002 [LNB]Lit up the Premier League with his repertoire of tricks. Captained Bolton to the 2004 League Cup final and ensured they kept their place in the top flight.[LNB] PEPE REINA [LNB]?6m Villarreal to Liverpool, 2005 [LNB]The fact his statistics are better than those of legend Ray Clemence says everything. [LNB] [LNB] Ferdinand turns up the heat with claim City's dissenting stars don't respect ManciniAtletico keeper De Gea to sign five-year deal with United as clubs agree ?17.8m dealSchalke 2 Inter Milan 1 (agg 7-3): Fergie sees Raul book semi-final date with UnitedAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Robbie Fowler, Kevin Davies, Joleon Lescott, Sol Campbell, Petr Cech, Pepe Reina, Jay-Jay Okocha, Martin Keown, Tim Cahill, Frank Lampard, Edwin Van Der Sar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joe Hart, Nemanja Vidic, Xabi Alonso, Kolo Toure, Patrice Evra, Jimmy Bullard, Gareth Bale, Steven Gerrard Places: Moscow, Liverpool, Lisbon, Monaco, Bolton, Argentina, France, United Kingdom, Mexico, Europe
