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Richards and Shearer Ranked the 10 Biggest Bargains in Premier League History

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Summary

  • Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were asked to name their top 10 Premier League bargains.
  • The BBC pundits were given a list of players and asked to rank them in order based on their value for money.
  • The likes of Eric Cantona, Jamie Vardy and Peter Schmeichel were hard to pick from for the duo.

For all the money that is spent in the Premier League, sometimes it’s the more frugal purchases that turn out to be the greatest success stories. While so many times the most lucrative teams in English football will splash the cash on players worth millions, there is no guarantee that it will be worthwhile years down the line. The likes of Antony’s move to Manchester United and Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea are just two of the more recent examples that prove that to be true.

However, a low-money signing means less risk and potentially even greater reward if they become someone a club can profit from. Or better yet, become a player that completely transforms the fortunes of a football club.

Speaking on the Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast back in 2021, both Premier League winners Alan Shearer and Micah Richards were asked who they believed were the biggest bargains in Premier League history. With a plethora of names to choose from, the pair managed to conjure together two interesting lists that varied but still maintained the same top three players in a slightly different order.

Micah Richards’ Top 10 Bargains

The defender included two Arsenal deals in the top five

Micah Richards as a pundit
Micah Richards as a pundit

Despite having a Premier League winners medal for Manchester City, Richards conceded that he believed that it was United legend Eric Cantona who deserved top spot. The Red Devils signed the Frenchman for just £1.2 million from Leeds in 1992 and he went on to win four Premier League titles in his five seasons at the club, scoring 82 goals.

Jamie Vardy is a close second after Leicester paid just £1 million for the non-league striker. One Premier League title and 200 goals later, it’s proven to be quite an incredible punt on a player who’s only gotten better with age.

Another United player makes up the top three as Peter Schmeichel’s £500,000 move to Old Trafford in 1991 is ranked third – a deal that manager Alex Ferguson as the “bargain of the century.” Two Arsenal players complete the top five, with Kolo Toure signing for the club for £150,000 in 2002 after a trial. Robin van Persie’s move to the club costing just £2.75 million in 2004. The Dutchman went on to play eight seasons at the Emirates, scoring 132 goals before ditching North London for Manchester in one of the most controversial transfers in recent memory.

The bottom half of the list includes Riyad Mahrez‘s move to the King Power Stadium, and Paolo Di Canio‘s switch to West Ham, where he would go on to become an iconic figure. Eighth was Lucas Radebe while full-backs Seamus Coleman and Andy Robertson rounded out the top 10.

Micah Richards’ Top 10 Premier League Bargains

Rank

Player

Transfer

Year

Fee

1.

Eric Cantona

Leeds to Manchester United

1992

£1.2m

2.

Jamie Vardy

Fleetwood to Leicester City

2012

£1m

3.

Peter Schmeichel

Brondby to Manchester United

1991

£500,000

4.

Kolo Toure

ASEC Mimosas to Arsenal

2002

£150,000

5.

Robin van Persie

Feyenoord to Arsenal

2004

£2.75m

6.

Riyad Mahrez

Le Havre to Leicester City

2014

£400,000

7.

Paolo Di Canio

Sheffield Wednesday to West Ham

1999

£1.5m

8

Lucas Radebe

Kaizer Chiefs to Leeds

1994

£250,000

9.

Seamus Coleman

Sligo Rovers to Everton

2009

£60,000

10.

Andy Robertson

Hull City to Liverpool

2017

£8m

Alan Shearer’s Top 10 Bargains

The striker showed more love to Everton defender Coleman

Alan Shearer

While Shearer’s and Richards’ lists are largely the same, there a couple notable changes. The Englishman decided to give his compatriot Vardy the nod at the top, placing the Leicester legend above Cantona. There is also a major jump up the list for Coleman, who lands inside the top four for Shearer:

“Sixty grand says it all. The number of games he’s played. He’s had a serious injury as well. He’s come back from injury, Everton fans love him and rightly so because of what he’s done.”

The only other major victim from the Newcastle and Blackburn star’s list is Di Canio, who drops to 10th as a result of Coleman’s leap towards the top of the table.

Alan Shearer’s Top 10 Premier League Bargains

Rank

Player

Transfer

Year

Fee

1.

Jamie Vardy

Fleetwood to Leicester City

2012

£1m

2.

Eric Cantona

Leeds to Manchester United

1992

£1.2m

3.

Peter Schmeichel

Brondby to Manchester United

1991

£500,000

4.

Seamus Coleman

Sligo Rovers to Everton

2009

£60,000

5.

Kolo Toure

ASEC Mimosas to Arsenal

2002

£150,000

6.

Robin van Persie

Feyenoord to Arsenal

2004

£2.75m

7.

Riyad Mahrez

Le Havre to Leicester City

2014

£400,000

8

Lucas Radebe

Kaizer Chiefs to Leeds

1994

£250,000

9.

Andy Robertson

Hull City to Liverpool

2017

£8m

10.

Paolo Di Canio

Sheffield Wednesday to West Ham

1999

£1.5m

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Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo to Replace Marcus Rashford

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Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign highly-rated Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo to bolster their attack, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Red Devils have made bolstering their midfield a priority this summer, but there is also scope to add a new forward to the squad as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund will all leave permanently during the transfer window.

A new left-winger is understood to be a key area that the club want to strengthen ahead of the new season, and a 21-year-old sensation has now emerged as a target.

Man Utd Eyeing Fernandez-Pardo Deal

Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Fernandez-Pardo, who has been described as ‘explosive’, is expected to leave Ligue 1 side Lille this summer after a fantastic campaign with the French side, where he registered eight goals and six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.

The Belgian has been identified by Newcastle United as a top target to replace Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona in a £70m deal, but Man Utd are also understood to be showing an interest in the exciting forward.

Lille need to sell players this summer to help them raise funds, and the winger is regarded as one of their most sellable assets. Despite reports that he is valued at around €50m (£43.2m), United could be willing to pay it as they look for competition in the wide positions for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Patrick Dorgu.

The 21-year-old is also understood to be of interest to Man City, with his versatility being a big point of interest, as he is able to play across the forward line out wide or through the middle.

Fernandez-Pardo is part of the Belgium squad heading to the World Cup this summer, and Lillle will be hoping that he can turn in some serious performances to help raise his price tag.

Man Utd Need Attacking Additions

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick admitted months ago that left-wing is a position that Man Utd need to strenghten, and now that he has the role permanently, he is likely to make it a priority.

Fernandez-Pardo is the type of signing that would fit in well at Man utd as a young player with plenty of room to grow, but also having experience at a high level and performances that prove he is ready to make the step up.

Considering the likely fee he will be available for, this could be a real bargain deal considering usual market value, and he would give the squad a boost in a position that needs reinforcements ahead of next seaosn.


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Chelsea Issue Statement After Tweet Backlash Following Arsenal UCL Final Defeat

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Chelsea have released a statement after their eyebrow-raising tweet following Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday evening went viral.

Arsenal, competing in only their second-ever Champions League final, pushed PSG all the way but eventually lost on penalties. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed their spot-kicks in the shootout as the Parisians secured their second successive European Cup.

Shortly after the final whistle, Chelsea posted a photo of their most-recent Champions League trophy (sealed in May 2021, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Manchester City), alongside the caption: “Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now.”

Chelsea’s cheeky tweet has racked up 139k reposts, 14k bookmarks and a whopping 421k ‘likes’, not to mention a further 24k replies.

Chelsea’s Statement After Posting Controversial Tweet

Chelsea Corner Flag

While Chelsea supporters and other fans of Arsenal rivals have seen the funny side, the same can’t be said for the crestfallen Gunners’ faithful.

Following some backlash to their tweet, Chelsea released a statement on X (Twitter) around 1am. Mocking their own red card record this season, the west London outfit posted:

“We probably deserve another red card for that last post! But in all seriousness, congratulations to Arsenal on winning the Premier League and a great run in the Champions League.

“Looking forward to picking up the battle again with you next season.”

“What in the utter woke nonsense is this…” replied one Chelsea fan, while another tweeted: “Oh my god, delete this you wet wipes.”

The tweet hasn’t appeased Arsenal supporters either, with one commenting: “Thanks but no thanks for the congratulatory message. You won’t be competing with us… know your place in the food chain.” Ouch.


Gabriel and Erling Haaland


Erling Haaland’s Post After Arsenal Lose Champions League Final Goes Viral

Erling Haaland is one of a few rival players to fire indirect shots at Arsenal following their Champions League final defeat.

Arteta Devastated After Champions League Final Defeat

Mikel Arteta walks past Champions League trophy

While Arsenal have enjoyed an excellent season, ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League trophy in the process, missing the opportunity to become European champions for the first time in the club’s history will still be a bitter pill for Mikel Arteta and his players to swallow this summer.

Asked to sum up his emotions after the final, Arteta was quoted by The Guardian as saying: “Pain, that’s it.

“When you are so close in the competition, and you are a few penalties away from winning the biggest club competition, that’s the way we should feel.”

The Spaniard added: “First of all you have to go through that pain, digest it, and turn it into fuel. To improve and to reach a different level, because it would demand a different level with the quality around Europe. I want to congratulate PSG because they are in my opinion the best team in the world.”

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Erling Haaland’s Post After Arsenal Lose Champions League Final Goes Viral

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Erling Haaland is one of several players to seemingly fire indirect shots at Arsenal with a post on social media, following the Premier League side’s defeat in the Champions League final.

The Gunners took the lead early on through Kai Havertz, as they hunted down the trophy for the first time in their history, but Ousmane Dembele‘s coolly finished penalty in the second half drew PSG level.

Both teams pushed for a winner in regulation time and extra time, but neither could find that one golden opportunity to seal the win, forcing it to be decided by a penalty shootout.

In the end, misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes sealed Arsenal‘s fate, losing the Champions League final and a chance at a historic double.

While the Premier League title will be the main focus for the players, who will get an opportunity to celebrate on Sunday at an Emirates Stadium parade, it is their rivals who celebrated on Saturday night.

Erling Haaland’s Wordless Arsenal Post

Erling Haaland

Plenty of Arsenal’s rivals seemingly relished the team losing in the Champions League final, taking an opportunity to rub it in on social media.

Chelsea posted a savage shot at the Gunners over the defeat, making reference to their two Champions League triumphs, as well as their Club World Cup win.

And shortly after, Erling Haaland appeared to take a cheeky dig at Arsenal with a post of his own on social media.

The Norwegian striker posted a photo of himself smiling, surrounded by friends, with the caption remaining wordless, but posted conveniently just after the Gunners lost.


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The time is likely no coincidence, with the 25-year-old knowledgeable when it comes to what people will talk about in football, as seen in his many battles with Arsenal.

Haaland famously told the Gunners to “stay humble” in a previous clash with the side, as both teams have continued to battle it out for the Premier League over the past four years.

Earlier this campaign, the striker simply smirked and sang lyrics Flo Rida song “Good Feeling” after he helped Man City secure a huge win over Arsenal, ripping the title race wide open.

While that didn’t go in his favour in the end, it appears as though Haaland has got at least one last laugh over his rivals, and he isn’t the only one.

Tottenham Players Fire Shots At Arsenal

Richarlison celebrating after scoring for Tottenham Hotspur

It wasn’t just Haaland who had his fun after Arsenal’s defeat, as their nearest and dearest rivals, Tottenham, seemingly joined in the mix through a few of their key players.

Richarlison was among the first, posting a video of a child laughing, with awfully coincidental timing to the Gunners losing the final in the shootout.

Djed Spence quickly followed, responding to an Arsenal tweet from back in February that said “Locked up” in reference to the full-back struggling in the North London Derby.

He simply replied with eye emojis and an unlocked lock, without making too many comments on the actual match itself.

That may make for a slightly frosty reception when Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke all meet up with Spence in the England camp in a few days time for the 2026 World Cup.

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