Signing Profile- Eder

Signing Profile- Eder

On June 28th, Swansea confirmed the signing of Bissau-Guinean born,Portuguese striker Eder. The reported fee was £5 million and the 27 year old signed a three-year deal after joining from SC Braga.

Before playing for Braga, Eder played for Oliveira Hospital in 2006 scoring 7 goals in 26 games, before playing 42 times for playing 42 times for Tourizense scoring 11 goals. However by the Summer of 2012 Eder was an Academica player. He made his debut on the 24th August 2008 and during his tenure at the club he scored 12 goals in 83 appearances. During the 2011-12 season he scored 5 goals in 16 appearances and helped Academica to their first Portuguese Cup since 1939. However he only featured in the early rounds of the cup as the end of his Academica career turned sour with Eder being suspended for failing to turn up for training. This may have come down to an increasing interest in him and indeed it lead to his departure.

In the summer of 2012 Eder joined Braga on a four-year deal. He made his debut on September 2nd 2012, and went on to score 26 goals in 60 appearances. Notable events in his Braga career include scoring against FC Porto in a Braga win in the Fifth Round of the 2012-13 Portuguese Cup. He had a good first half of the 2012-13 season however suffered a ligament tear in early March, causing him to miss the rest of the season. Braga won the Portuguese League Cup in Eder's first season. Last season his Braga side reached the Portuguese Cup final, playing Sporting. Eder opened the scoring, with a penalty given away by new Southampton signing but then Sporting player  Cedric Soares who was subsequently sent off. However Braga went on to lose after a 2-2 draw led to a penalty shoot-out where Eder missed a penalty. This would be his last Braga appearance.

During his time at Braga, he choose to play for Portugal. Since his debut as a substitute for Helder Postiga, against Azerbaijan on September 11th 2012, Eder has played 18 times for Portugal and scored once, in his latest cap, a 1-0 win over Italy in June 2015. He was called up for the 2014 Portugal World Cup squad and featured as a sub in two of Portugal's three games.

Eder joins Swansea in his prime. At 27 years old, the 6ft 3in striker is at the peak of his powers. He will give Swansea a new attacking edge with his speed and strength. His prowess in the air and good positioning will make him a danger in the box and alongside Bafetimbi Gomis, Swansea now will hope to be able to fill the gap left by Wilfried Bony's departure.

Which signing should I profile next?

Thanks for reading,
James

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2014-15 Germany, England and Spain Season Recap

I'm still busy with revision and all at the moment but I thought I'd do a very brief post, recapping how the three top leagues in Europe ended after a thrilling season of football.

N.B. The Europa League teams may not be correct depending on the Domestic Cup results, I've listed the teams from 5th to 7th for consistency.

1. Bundesliga- Germany

Party Time- Bayern Celebrate another Bundesliga title

Champions- Bayern Munich
Champions League Qualification-  Wolfsburg, Mochengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen
Europa League Qualification- Augsburg, Schalke and Borussia Dortmund
Relegated- Freiburg and Paderborn, Hamburg will play in a Relegation Play-Off

Golden Boot-Meier of Frankfurt

Top Scorer- Alexander Meier- Eintracht Frankfurt-19 Goals
Most Assists- Kevin De Bruyne- Wolfsburg- 20 Assists            
Most Clean Sheets- Manuel Neuer- Bayern Munich- 18 Clean Sheets

Agony-Relegated Paderborn 

2. Liga BBVA- Spain

Champions- Barcelona

Champions-Barcelona

Back in Europe- Valencia

Champions League Qualification- Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Valencia 
Europa League Qualification- Sevilla, Villareal and Athletic Bilbao
Relegated- Eibar, Almeria and Cordoba
Top Scorer-Cristiano Ronaldo-Real Madrid- 48 Goals
Most Assists- Lionel Messi-Barcelona-18 Assists
Most Clean Sheets- Claudio Bravo-23 Clean Sheets

Elite- Messi and Ronaldo

All Smiles-Premier League Champions Chelsea

3. Premier League-England

Champions- Chelsea
Champions League Qualification- Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd 
Europa League Qualification- Tottenham, Liverpool and Southampton
Relegated- Hull, Burnley and QPR
Top Scorer-Sergio Aguero-Man City-26 Goals
Most Assists- Cesc Fabregas-Chelsea-18 Assists

Back to the Championship-QPR

Most Clean Sheets- Joe Hart- Man City-14 Clean Sheets

Safe Hands-Joe Hart

Sorry for this post being so brief but i'll be back to regular, written articles after my exams, which end June 17th.

Thanks for reading,

James
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January Transfer Window- Key Ins and Outs for every team in the BPL.

Now that the January Transfer Window has shut, I thought I'd give my picks as the key arrival and departure for each of the 20 Premier League Teams. Lets go...

N.B. All fees included are the best estimates I could get.

Arsenal

Gabriel

Key Arrival: Gabriel Paulista from Villareal for £11.2m

The 24 year old Brazilian CB will provide good cover at CB for Koscielny and Mertesacker. Language barrier could be an issue. 

Key Departure: Lukas Podolski to Inter Milan on Loan

The German forward's terrific shot and goalscoring prowess will be missed if injuries arise. However he returns at the end of the season where his position will be re-evaluatedme

Aston Villa

Former Valencia man Carles Gil

Key Arrival: Carles Gil from Valencia for £3.2m

The Spanish winger brings flair to a Villa team that is in desperate need of attacking options. Proved already he can score goals with an Fa Cup strike vs. Bournemouth

Key Departure: Darren Bent to Derby on Loan

Evidence at how quickly fortunes can turn in football.


 Burnley

Keane in action for Burnley

Key Arrival: Michael Keane from Man Utd for £3m

A loan deal made permanent. Good youth prospect.

Key Departure: None

Burnley kept all their players as they look to survive in the Premier League.




Chelsea

Cuadrado

Key Arrival: Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina for £26.8m

A lightning quick Colombian winger that will be another threat in a supremely strong Chelsea side.May take time to settle in and make the big step up from Fiorentina to Chelsea.

Key Departure: Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg for £24m

Never secured a first team place. Good impact sub but Chelsea have done well to receive such a large fee for him.

Crystal Palace

Zaha

Key Arrival: Wilfired Zaha from Man Utd for £6m

Loved at the Palace but never could breakthrough at Man Utd. He'll be glad to have had his loan made permanent so he can return to first team football. Loss of money for United.

Key Departure: Stuart O'Keefe to Cardiff for £950,000

Not a big sale but he looked like a promising player for the future. Cardiff will be happy to have him.

Everton

Aaron Lennon (looking happy)

Key Arrival: Aaron Lennon from Tottenham on Loan

Quick English winger provides a little more speed for a tired Everton side. He didn't look happy in the pictures but he'll be pleased to get back playing regular football.

Key Departure: Samuel Eto'o to Sampdoria for Free

The legendary African striker didn't enjoy not being first choice at Goodison and will be glad to leave.

Hull City

Dame N'Doye

Key Arrival: Dame N'Doye from Lokomotiv Moscow for £3m

Steve Bruce brings in another powerful striker as he looks to score his way up the table. Could be another Abel Hernandez.

Key Departure: Tom Ince to Derby on Loan

He'll be glad to get some first team experience. Not currently living up to the past hype.


Leicester City

Record Signing Kramaric

Key Arrival: Andrej Kramaric from Rijeka for £9.5m

Record signing for Leicester. 23 year old Croatian striker was wanted by big European clubs so Leicester have done well to get him. Big gamble, he could be next Ayoze or the next Kostas Mitroglou.

Key Departure: Tom Hooper to Scunthorpe on Loan

I don't know who that is but I'm sure Scunthorpe do.

Liverpool

Sturridge set for return

Key Arrival: None

Rodgers clearly content with current squad despite being 17 points behind league leaders Chelsea. Return of Daniel Sturridge will be key.

Key Departure: Oussama Assiadi to Al Ahli for £4.7m

Never made an impact for Liverpool. Went on loan to Stoke, was a flop and will only ever be remembered for 5* skills on Fifa.

Man City

Bony

Key Arrival: Wilfried Bony from Swansea for £28m

The Ivorian striker cost a large fee but comes with Premier League experience. Hard to see him getting much first team action with the likes of Aguero and Dzeko around.

Key Departure: Matija Nastasic to Schalke on Loan

Another player who looked to have huge potential but isn't showing it. A loan move could kick-start his career.


Man Utd

Victor Valdes

Key Arrival: Victor Valdes from Free Agent for Free

Great deal to get the former Barcelona keeper on a free. Could be a sign of De Gea leaving at the end of the season.

Key Departure: Wilfried Zaha to Crystal Palace for £6m

(See Crystal Palace Section)

Newcastle

New Gaffer Carver

Key Arrival: None

Managerial confusion meant the eventual choice John Carver had no time to make signings.

Key Departure: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to Roma for £5.2m

Loan deal made permanent, never was a big player for Newcastle.

QPR

Zarate

Key Arrival: Mauro Zarate from West Ham on Loan

Little Argentinian didn't get much of a chance at the Hammers and will relish the chance to prove himself. But will the new QPR boss pick him? Time will tell.

Key Departure: Jordan Mutch to Cardiff for £5.8m

Good defensive midfielder. Didn't think QPR would sell but it seems that for that price, they were willing to let him leave.

Southampton

Bertrand in Saints colours

Key Arrival: Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea for £10m

Loan deal made permanent. Big part of a solid Saints back line and a crucial signing for the coming years.

Key Departure: Jack Cork to Swansea for £3m

Good solid Central Midfielder that will benefit Swansea greatly. Surprised to see the Saints sell him.

Stoke

German Wollsheid

Key Arrival: Philipp Wollscheid from Bayer Leverkusen on Loan

Strong German CB. Fits in well with Stoke's playing style.

Key Departure: Ryan Shotton to Derby for £1m

Another player going to Derby as they make a strong promotion push. Utility player, won't be missed by too many Stoke fans. Except George.

Sunderland

Defoe in -Altidore out

Key Arrival and Departure : Jermain Defoe from Toronto FC for £6.5m+ Jozy Altidore- the fee is very sketchy on this deal

Experienced English striker who will score Premier League goals. Sunderland fans will be happy to see the back of Altidore who had a torrid time at the Stadium of Light.

Swansea

Kyle Naughton

Key Arrival: Kyle Naughton from Tottenham for £5m

English full back will strengthen the options for the back four at the Welsh club however £5m seems high for a player that was not lived up to the billing.

Key Departure: Wilfried Bony to Man City for £28m
(See Man City Section)

Tottenham

Dele Alli-Hot Prospect?

Key Arrival: Dele Alli from MK Dons for £5m

Young English Midfielder who can score goals. Loaned back to MK Dons until next season. One for the future.

Key Departure: Kyle Naughton to Swansea for £5m

(See Swansea Section)

West Brom

McManaman

Key Arrival: Callum McManaman from Wigan for £4.7m

Player with Premier League experience. Nothing special, will do a job for the team.

Key Departure: Luke Daniels to Scunthorpe for Undisclosed- Couldn't find the fee

Again Scunthorpe signing a player I don't really know.

West Ham

Doneil Henry

Key Arrival: Doneil Henry from Apollon Limassol for £1m

Canadian Centre Back recommended by Ryan Nelson. Time will tell how he settles in, if he plays and if he's any good.

Key Departure: Mauro Zarate to QPR on Loan

(See QPR Section)

Thanks for reading,

James
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Everton- Europa League Syndrome? My Diagnosis.

I have been recently asked my a number of people, to look and present whether Everton are suffering from having to play Europa League fixtures alongside their regular run of games. So in this piece I will look at how Everton have done in the games in the week following each Europa League game and say whether I think the Continental clashes are affecting their Premier League position.

Thursday September 18th- Everton 4-1 Wolfsburg 

Game 1 after: Sunday September 21st- Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace -Premier League
Game 2 after: Tuesday September 23rd- Swansea 3-0 Everton- Capital One Cup Third Round

Following Everton's first clash in the Europa League against Wolfsburg, they were beaten 3-2 at home by Crystal Palace in the league and then fell to a 3-0 defeat away at Swansea in the League Cup.

Diagnosis: Sick as a Parrot

Thursday October 2nd- Krasnodar 1-1 Everton

Game 1 after: Sunday October 5th- Man Utd 2-1 Everton- Premier League

Although beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford, I would say this is not a result affected by the Europa League as Everton would not be expected to pick up a result from this fixture usually.

Diagnosis: Healthy

Thursday October 23rd- Lille 0-0 Everton

Game 1 after: Sunday October 26th- Burnley 1-3 Everton-Premier League

A routine Everton win as they easily dispatch Burnley at Turf Moor. However still yet to win in Europe and then again at the weekend.

Diagnosis: Healthy

Thursday November 6th- Everton 3-0 Lille

Game 1 after: Sunday November 9th- Everton 1-1 Sunderland-Premier League

A poor result in the League follows the next Europa League clash as it would seem a tired squad is unable to beat a poor Sunderland side at home. A draw in the League perhaps the price to pay for a good Europe performance.

Diagnosis: Sick as a Parrot

Thursday November 27th- Wolfsburg 0-2 Everton

Game 1 after: Sunday November 30th- Tottenham 2-1 Everton-Premier League
Game 2 after: Wednesday December 3rd- Everton 1-1 Hull- Premier League

A tough result to decipher as Tottenham is always a tough place to travel. However to be challenging like last year, Everton need to be taking points from these games. Then a draw at home against a disappointing Hull side shows that fatigue had to be playing a part.

Diagnosis: Sick as a Parrot

Thursday December 11th- Everton 0-1 Krasnodar

Game 1 after: Monday December 15th- Everton 3-1 QPR-Premier League

A good win at home against QPR would be pleasing for Everton on the face of it. However QPR have been dreadful on their travels and the Europa League game before hand was a disappointing defeat to Krasnodar.

Diagnosis: Sick as a Parrot

Overall Diagnosis: Sick as a Parrot

So as they have been unable to win a Europa League game and the following Premier League game, I have to say that in my opinion, Everton are suffering from Europa League Syndrome. It has meant that the Champions League challenge of last year is a distant memory and now Everton are doomed to fight for mid table mediocrity. Perhaps what is happening to Martinez's men will serve as a warning to teams that if they are unable to bag 4th place then they need to be prepared for a long gruelling competition in the Europa League. But hey, if you go all the way, then top four or not, you're in the Champions League next time.

James

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Sir Jack Hayward

 Last Tuesday a man named Sir Jack Hayward passed way aged 91 in Fort Lauderdale,Florida. While in the West Midlands this was big news ,many of you may be unaware of who this man was and the great work he did and in particular how he saved his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers. In order to both inform you and to pay tribute to a man who was British in every way but did great things abroad, I am going to create a timeline of Sir Jack's life.


14th June 1923- He is born in Wolverhampton, full name- Jack Arnold Hayward. He is educated at Northaw Preparatory School and Stowe School in Buckingham.


1941-46 - Serves as a pilot officer in the Royal Air Force during WW2 working around Burma. He is demobilized in 1946. Begins working for his Father's (Sir Charles Hayward) company- Firth Cleveland.


1951- founded the American branch of the company in New York, where he worked for five years before moving to the Bahamas.


1956-Arrives in the Bahamas where he relocates his company. He becomes a Vice-President of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, which helped promote the development of Freeport. Jack took over his father's previous interests in the Bahamas, and continued to play an active role in and around Freeport. He shows his patriotism when he imports 10 red London buses and installs red telephone and post boxes. His other patriotic tendencies include only buying British cars and giving any Royal Navy seamen passing the Bahamas a free dinner at a local restaurant with compliments from "Sir Jack" .


1982- Turns down the offer to own a financially troubled Wolverhampton Wanderers who are of course his boyhood club. The Club is eventually bought by the Bhatti Brothers.


1986- Knighted after many charitable actions including a £1 million pound donation to the South Atlantic Fund to help families affected by the Falklands War.


May 1990- Does now become owner of Wolves for a reported £2.11 million pounds.


1990-2007- Over the next 17 years he is said to of spent over £70 million pounds of his own personal wealth on paying off club debts, finding big money transfers and modernising the wonderful Molineux stadium which I have in fact been lucky enough to have been to. During his time as owner, his sons Jonathan and Rick were both heavily involved in the running of the club. Seven managers were at the helm during his tenure which saw Wolves go from a struggling second division side to eventually spending the 2003-4 season in the Premier League.


May 2007- He sells the club to Steve Morgan for a nominal fee of just £10 on the condition that Morgan would invest £30 million pounds in the club. He remained a life president and was inducted into the Wolves Hall of Fame.


13th January 2015- Dies aged 91.


Sir Jack Hayward was an example of a man who had great wealth but also had a heart. He joins a list of rare owners including Dave Whelan and Steve Gibson who have saved their boyhood clubs but for him to then sell the club for just £10 with the guarantee of more money being put into the club is truly a selfless act. It is clear that "Union Jack" was a proud and patriotic man. An avid lover of Cricket and a man that would always indulge in afternoon tea at 4pm no matter where in the world he was,I would say in fact perhaps Jack could be described as Winston Churchill-esque. But there is one thing that is in no doubt, he was a charitable and kind man. He had the kind of relationship with Wolves fans that is missing from today's game. The Abramoviches of this world see clubs as a business opportunity, but to Sir Jack Wolves was so much more. Simply put , there was a spot in Jack's heart that was and forever will be, Orange.

Sir Jack at Molineux

RIP Sir Jack

James

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Suggestions

In a bid to increase my interaction with you (the reader), I want to make it known that from now on my posts will be mainly suggestion based with a few ideas of my own occasionally.This means i need ideas from you guys, so if you have a suggestion either leave a comment on here , Facebook or Twitter or tell me in person and (as long as its a sensible idea) I will add it to my current backlog of posts.

As for my next post, I'm going to write a piece dedicated to a recently deceased chairman who rescued a club from financial death. I expect to have this post up by Friday night. I hope it will prove to be an informative piece that is a fitting tribute to a truly great man.

James

Most Expensive Starting Eleven Of New Years Day

As you may know, New Years Day saw all 20 Premier League teams in action on what was a great day of Football. However I found myself wondering if how expensive each teams starting eleven was, correlated to a teams position in the league. So I have created this list (which took ages) to see which team had the most expensive starting eleven and how their ranking on this list matched up to their league position. Enjoy!

N.B. All prices are in pounds sterling and are approximations. Academy Player means the player was brought up through the clubs youth system and m = million.

20th- Burnley with a starting eleven costing £6.8m :

Heaton-Free

Trippier-0.2m

Keane-Loan

Shackell-1.1m

Mee- Free

Boyd-3m

Jones-Free

Marney-0.5m

Arfield- Free

Ings-1m

Barnes-1m

19th- Leicester City with a starting eleven costing £8.3m

Hamer-Free

Simpson-2.2m

Wasilewski-Free

Morgan-1m

De Laet-1.1m

Mahrez-0.4m

James-1.1m

Drinkwater-0.8m

Hammond-Free

Schlupp-Free (Academy Player)

Vardy-1.7m

18th- Crystal Palace with a starting eleven costing £17.6m

Speroni-0.8m

Mariappa- 3m

Dann-1.6m

Delaney-Free

Kelly-1.5m

Ward-0.4m

Puncheon-1.8m

McArthur-7m

Ledley-1m

Bolasie-0.5m

Zaha-Loan

17th- West Brom with a starting eleven costing £17.9m

Foster-4.4m

Wisdom-Loan

McAuley-Free

Lescott- Free

Baird-Free

Morrison-2.2m

Mulumbu-0.2m

Dorrans-0.2m

Sessegnon- 7.9m

Brunt-3m

Berahino- Free (Academy Player)

16th- Swansea with a starting eleven costing £18m

Fabianski-Free

Rangel- 0.1m

Fernandez-8m

Williams-0.4m

Taylor-0.1m

Britton-Free

Ki-6m

Dyer-0.5m

Sigurdsson-Free (P/Ex)

Routledge-2.9m

Gomis-Free

15th- QPR with a starting eleven costing £25m

Green-Free

Isla-Loan

Dunne-Free

Caulker-8m

Hill-Free

Vargas-Loan

Henry-1m

Barton-Free

Fer-8m

Zamora-4m

Austin-4m

14th- Aston Villa with a starting eleven costing £25.6m

Guzan-0.6m

Hutton-3m

Okore-4m

Vlaar- 3.2m

Cissokho-2.2m

Bacuna-0.9m

Sanchez-4.7m

Cleverley-Loan

Weimann- Free (Academy Player)

Benteke-7m

Agbonglahor-Free (Academy Player)

13th- Newcastle with a starting eleven costing £29.8m

Alnwick-Free (Academy Player)

Janmaat-5m

Taylor-Free (Academy Player)

Coloccini-10.3m

Dummett-Free (Academy Player)

Tiote-3.5m

Colback-Free

Perez-1.5m

Sissoko-1.8m

Gouffran-1.7m

Riviere-6m

12th- Everton with a starting eleven costing £30.7m

Joel- 3.5m

Alcaraz- Free

Jagielka- 5.2m

Barry- Free

Coleman- Free

Besic- 4m

Barkley- Free (Academy Player)

Baines-6m

Naismith-Free

Kone-6m

Mirallas- 6m

11th- Stoke with a starting eleven costing £31.3m

Begovic-3.2m

Cameron-1.8m

Shawcross- 2m

Muniesa- Free

Pieters- 3m

Walters- 3.3m

N’Zonzi-3m

Whelan- 0.6m

Arnautovic- 3.4m

Crouch- 11m

Diouf- Free

10th- Hull with a starting eleven costing £36.3m

McGregor-1.8m

Chester-0.3m

Bruce-Free

Davies- 2.3m

Robertson-2.9m

Elmohamady- 2m

Meyler-1.5m

Livermore- 8m

Ramirez-Loan

Hernandez- 10m

Jelavic- 7.5m

9th- Sunderland with a starting eleven costing £39.5m

Pantilimon-Free

Vergini-Loan

O’Shea-4m

Brown-1m

Jones-Free

Rodwell-10m

Buckley-2.5m

Larsson-Free

Gomez-Free

Johnson-10m

Wickham-12m

8th- West Ham with a starting eleven costing £41.3m

Adrian-Free

Jenkinson-Loan

Collins-2.5m

Reid-1.3m

Cresswell-4m

Song-Loan

Amalfitano-1m

Kouyate-7m

Downing-6m

Sakho-4.5m

Carroll-15m

7th- Spurs with a starting eleven costing £54.3m

Lloris-11.8m

Walker-5m

Fazio-8m

Vertonghen-10m

Rose-1m

Bentaleb- Free (Academy Player)

Mason-Free (Academy Player)

Townsend-Free (Academy Player)

Eriksen-11.5m

Chadli-7m

Kane- Free (Academy Player) 

6th- Southampton with a starting eleven costing £59.4m

Forster-10m

Alderweireld- Loan

Fonte-1.2m

Gardos-6m

Bertrand-Loan

Davis-0.8m

Wanyama-12.5m

Ward-Prowse-Free (Academy Player)

Mane-10m

Tadic-10.9m

Pelle-8m

5th- Liverpool with a starting eleven costing £109.2m

Mignolet-9m

Can-9.7m

Toure- Free

Sakho- 15m

Henderson- 20m

Gerrard-Free (Academy Player)

Lucas-5m

Moreno-12m

Coutinho-8.5m

Sterling-5m

Lallana- 25m

4th- Arsenal with a starting eleven costing £113m

Szczesny-Free (Academy Player)

Debuchy-10m

Mertesacker-8m

Koscielny-10m

Gibbs-Free (Academy Player)

Chambers-16m

Coquelin-Free (Academy Player)

Oxlade-Chamberlain-15m

Cazorla-15m

Rosicky-7m

Sanchez-32m

3rd- Man City with a starting eleven costing £194m

Caballero-4.4m

Zabaleta-6.5m

Demichelis-4.2m

Mangala-32m

Clichy-7m

Toure-24m

Fernandinho-30m

Navas-14.9m

Silva-24m

Nasri- 25m

Jovetic- 22m

2nd- Chelsea with a starting eleven costing £200.4m

Courtois-7.9m

Ivanovic-9m

Cahill-7m

Terry-Free (Academy Player)

Azpilicueta-6.5m

Fabregas-30m

Matic-21m

Willian-30m

Oscar-25m

Hazard- 32m

Costa-32m

1st- Man Utd with a starting eleven costing £200.5m

De Gea- 17.8m

Evans- Free (Academy Player)

Smalling- 10m

Jones-17m

Mata- 37.1m

Shaw-27m

Carrick-18.6m

Rooney-27m

Young-16m

Falcao- Loan- 6m Loan Fee

Van Persie-24m

So there you have it, Man Utd had the most expensive starting eleven in the Barclays Premier League on New Years Day. However they were unable to beat Stoke who rank in at 11th on the list. Chelsea who are 2nd on this list were beaten by Spurs ,who are 7th, in a 5-3 classic at White Hart Lane. Below is how each team's ranking on this list compares to their league form:

Team	Positon in First Eleven Cost Table	Position in Premier League
Burnley	20th	19th
Leicester City	19th	20th
Crystal Palace	18th	18th
West Brom	17th	17th
Swansea	16th	9th
QPR	15th	16th
Aston Villa	14th	12th
Newcastle	13th	10th
Everton	12th	13th
Stoke	11th	11th
Hull	10th	15th
Sunderland	9th	14th
West Ham	8th	7th
Spurs	7th	5th
Southampton	6th	4th
Liverpool	5th	8th
Arsenal	4th	6th
Man City	3rd	2nd
Chelsea	2nd	1st
Man Utd	1st	3rd

So it seems that there is a correlation between the cost of your squad and your league finish. With more expensive teams doing better on average than teams with a less costly first eleven. However Arsenal and Liverpool seem to be overpaying for their league positions with Swansea seeming to have found some bargains. Stoke, West Brom and Crystal Palace are the only 3 teams with the same position in both tables.

Happy 2015!

James