The cost of Premier League strikers vary from Manchester City’s 81million Tevez and Aguero duo, to Le Fondre and Pogrebnyak’s combination of under half a million at Reading.
With the current financial climate it’s time to take a look at the top 10 striker partnerships in the Premiership this year in terms of value for money.
10. Reading: Adam Le Fondre and Pavel Pogrebnyak – £350,000
To have a strike force in the Premier League at this sort of cost sounds utterly absurd, if the pair fire home enough goals to keep the Royals away from relegation then what a feat that would be. Of course Jason Roberts and Noel Hunt are heavily included in the squad but they hardly cost much either. Cheap and cheery, it’s a very clever Premiership strike force.
9. Manchester City: Kun Aguero and Carlos Tevez – £81 million
It’s impossible to leave any of the Manchester City strikers out of this shortlist; the only problem is they don’t come cheap. There is no denying that the Argentine pair are two of the best strikers in the league but if you’re not a billionaire tycoon, 81 million is quite a lot of money.
8. Wigan Athletic: Franco Di Santo and Arouna Kone – £4.8 million
The Latics are most likely to be fighting for survival at the bottom of the table, but for under 5million I like this partnership. Di Santo is still young and exciting with the potential to grow into a lethal all-round striker, whilst Kone brings a strong physical presence that can once more cement their Premiership status.
7. West Brom: Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie – £6.5 million
Steve Clark’s men have made a very promising start to the season; no doubt the help of these two has helped. Pace and tricky movement has helped provide goals for the Baggies whilst the strikers fit the clubs ethos with constant work rate and teamwork. For a small fee the pair make a very good Premier League attack.
6. Fulham: Dimitar Berbatov and Hugo Rodallega – £5 million
Martin Jol’s side are another team looking in good form and are in strong contention for another prosperous season. The addition of Berbatov was a well needed addition to their attacking intentions and a very smart piece of business. Combined with Rodallega for 5million, it doesn’t justify the quality of these strikers.
5. Tottenham Hotspur: Jermaine Defoe and Clint Dempsey – £21 million
Some may forget that Defoe cost £15 million from Portsmouth but the long term Spurs server has proved his worth in pennies especially with his form this season. Providing support from behind Dempsey is one of the best advanced midfielders in the league, as far as value for money goes I think this partnership is a fair example of quality and cost.
4. Manchester United: Wayne Rooney and Van Persie – £50 million
So the argument is that yes, once again this is not a cheap strike force. But compared to City’s spending and in a world that costs £35million for Andy Carroll this is a remarkable partnership at a fantastic price. Possibly one of the best Manchester United has seen and I think the price is more than justified.
3. Swansea City: Danny Graham and Michu – £5.5 million
The Swans looked to life without Brendan Rogers this year but are coping more than fine. Michu looks like a potential bargain of the season as he sits towards the top of the league goal scorers whilst his partner provides the perfect support when needed. Michael Laudrup has brought some real quality into the side and for a bargain price.
2. Everton: Marouane Fellaini and Nikica Jelavic – £20 million
David Moyes doesn’t spend money light-heartedly and it is no doubt that his deadly duo are near the top of the list. Attracting interest from clubs all over the initial cost of the players will now rocket in value. Both players are still reasonably young and it is only the start of a potentially brilliant partnership. The strikers don’t just provide goals but threats in every physical department of the game in the air and on the deck.
1. Newcastle United: Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse – £8million
Perhaps yet to strike a decent partnership the Toon duo are still quality talents that are equally effective on their own. They simply top the list due to the quality to cost ratio; Ba on a free transfer with Cisse making up the rest of the cost signifies how effective you can be in the transfer market without having to spend big bucks.
By Liam Curtis
@JournoCurtis
