Personally, Pastore was an easy choice to at least make my top two, it was a close call between him and position number one. Pastore though, unfortunately missing out on our number one spot, by the skin of his teeth.
I'm sure many of you are wandering; "Why this transfer? What makes Pastore's switch so special?"
It doesn't take one long, after a quick browse through this Argentineans career to see that he has shot to promise from almost nothing, it was this mixed in with the sheer nerve and backbone of new club Paris St Germain 40M bid that caught i'm sure not only my eye, but those of football fans all across the globe. A mere two calender years ago this prominent attacking midfielder was stuck in the Argentinean Primera B Nacional, after making his switch from local youth side Talleres in 2008, an impressive year followed, and the European giants soon started sniffing around, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan approached but could not compete with Palermo, who snapped him up for a tiny 4.7M Euros, a gobsmacking figure, considering what would follow in 2 summers time. The plaudits continued in Italy, holding the Palermo midfield together and very much pulling the strings in the side, it would of been very optimistic of even the most die-hard Rosanero fan to suggest they could hold onto Pastore for much longer. Not many though, would have the initiative to suggest French's Ligue 1 as his destiny. Paris St Germain are now very much the force in French football, certainly if we're comparing the width of wallets, after the 70% buyout from a Qatar Investment Company, it was to be expected that a very 'Manchester City esque' change-around would occur at the Parc de Princes. Transfers followed, but nothing as far as their wealth had previously suggested, this was until however an Argentinean attacking midfielder by the name of Javier Pastore was presented to the world, for no less than 39M. Yes, Pastore had ignored the promise of Champions League football, perhaps of instant success at a European big boy, but instead opted for the promise and the ambition of the French sides new found owners. However the season pans out for St Germain, Pastore will now have to maintain that price tag, for the first time in his career be the centre of attention, the main attraction, with all eyes upon in, it will be very interesting to see how far he can lead this new Paris side.
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| Pastore in action for Huracan, shortly before his move to Europe |
Verdict- 4/5 A huge shock factor, to have ignored others offers on the table for the promise of Paris St Germain, very much is reminiscent of the Robinho (Real Madrid - Manchester City) transfer of 2008, and that is the one fear i hold for Pastore, very much the centre figure, huge, huge pressure on this young mans shoulders now, at only 22 years old, there is so much potential. Nevertheless, that price-tag will what he will always be judged upon, one hopes he can take Paris St Germain to the next step, Ligue 1 will be an aim, no doubt more big bucks transfers will follow. An interesting point, if the Qatari's money really is so great, is this so much of a risky transfer for them? 5 goals and 4 assists in 11 games so far suggests everyone at the French capital could have a year to look forward too.
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| "I'm your new hero" - Pastore salutes his new followers. |
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So the time is upon us, who made it to the top of the list? Whose transfer in the summer of 2011 made our mouths collectively drop to the floor? I think you all know by now, just who has taken the crown. Really there can only be one winner....
1) Samuel Eto'o - Inter Milan > Anzhi Makhachkala - £13.2M (Raising to £18.5M!) *The fee doesn't even begin to explain it!
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| Samuel Eto'o alongside Ronaldinho, where they formed such a lethal partnership at the Camo Nou. |
Ok, back down to planet Earth now, astonishing as those stats may be, this is a star we are talking about here, yes he may not be mentioned in the same breath as the Messi's and Ronaldo's of 2011, but there was a point 5 years ago when any team would've gave anything to boast of Samuel Eto'o. It may feel to some that Eto's career is now in decline, moving to Russia is a step-back, one for the money, the publicity and to place himself into a 'less challenging' league as his years stacked up. One would of agreed, but there is something that puts Samuel Eto'o in a different category to this, something that makes me and others almost want to forgive him for such a fee, and even go as far to say as he deserves every penny of that unbelievable Russian currency he receives.
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| In action for his new Russian empoyers. |
Verdict- 5/5 - A mere 'footballer' this Cameronian is certainly not, he leads his own Fundacion Privada, an African based charity that helps to build hospital wings in some of Cameroon's most needing hospitals. Eto'o himself is also prominent in fighting racism within football, another grey area of our beautiful game, ironically Russia is a high and well known problem area for such an issue, as Roberto Carlos found out last season. It shows guts from Eto'o to move into the unknown. YES, he is benefitting with ridiculous sums of money, but it is so genuinely relieving to see a sports icon give back, to not forget his roots and really use his supreme talent to give back to his community. On a footballing level, Eto'o has started his Anzhi career with 5 goals in 7, a superb return, one would not want to bet against him reaching the 25-30 goal mark this season. It is clear the 5/5 rating is so deserving for Eto'o an example to modern footballers, perhaps a certain Carlos Tevez should take note of this man. A modern day hero of the game.
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| 'Family man' Eto'o with wife and kids at the opening event to his African home charity. |
Hope you enjoyed the countdown from 5 to 1, feel free to comment on where i went wrong (No doubt!)
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