Here are interesting articles about two of the best signings in Europe, of the summer 2005 :

- Rafael Van der Vaart (SV Hamburg)
- Patrick Viera (Juventus)

After one month or more of 2005/2006 season actions, it's maybe time to ask ourselves "Who was the best signing of the summer 2005/2006 ?" (meaning - who brought really something to his new team)

Too early to answer some would say, but just consider your answer with what we've seen so far...

I'm sure I've read a thread like this before?
Anyway, I went Van der Sar, he's been awesome all the way through.

Luca Toni for Fiorentina, I was watching Gazzetta, last night and he looks great.

I forgot to put David Villa in the poll...

He's been outstanding for Valencia this season !

I voted for Rafael Van der Vaart.

Based on what we've seen so far, it has to be Van Der Vaart. He's been immense for Hamburg thus far. Vieira has been quite the success story as well.

It's too early in the season though.

Patrick Vieira. The most important Juventus player since the start of the Serie A.

as a fan of arsenal, i would love to say hleb, but i think van der sar was the best signing

i,ll defenitly go with patrik viera and van der vaart as two of the best signings of the summer

umm van der Vaart! Dude, Hamburg got such a good deal with him..he was in really low form when they bought him, and look at him now! Damn, what I would give for Wenger to have taken that risk with him

I voted Viera, he is been a success at Juve and more to come from him, Van der vart has been in form Hamburg too taking them to 2nd position and Van der SAar is 3rd IMO.

v/d Sar
Vieria
v/d Vaart

those are the 3 best, if you look at them 3, v/d Vaart made the best impact, takeking HSV to 2nd of the Bundesliga, qualifying them for the UEFA Cup above Valencia who was favourit, making 6 goals in 8 games as a midfielder, he's back, he's young, he is the best signing so far.

Van der Sar, he is so important for manchester

Also i think Rafael van der Vaart he is the topscorder for hsv, and this year he has scored verry important goals in the uefa cup.

As of right now, i go with Van der Vaart.

I wouldn't have expected him making such a huge impact to the team.

Patrick Vieira really made a difference for Juventus this year...

I was thinking either VDV or Vieira, but haven't seen enough of Hamburg, or don't know how much he changed them, but I know he's made a difference. But Juve really seem like a super dominant force now, with Vieira, so I voted for him.

Ji Park & Vandersar of Manchester United

I JUST CANT BELIEVE IT......Robinho to RM is the best signing in 2005!

Yes, Robinho!
Or Van der Sar.

Well, to me, as a Real fan, i would have to say Pablo Garcia, another underatted guy among the best signing this season

Essien for Chelsea, best signing no doubt. At least in England.

Van der Vaart to Hamburg by a mile so far...

Pablo Garcia has been absolutely exceptional for Madrid this season, he was exactly what they needed for that midfield to click.

In my opinion though, the best signing had to be ---

Baiano for RC Celta de Vigo. He is the reason they are having this start, another great brazilian forward............... god there are sooo many.

Bommel ... he didn't play much yet - but he will show his brilliance

Pabl Garcia, look how much more stable Madrid are with him.

Essien since he is sort of an investment and can overtake Roy Keanes qualities.

Van der Vaart. He'll be crucial mid fielder for Hamburg.

He was a part of my Olympique Marseilles team in Fifa 05. Best player for the best price.

Voted 4 van der Sar.Been outstanding for United.Saved our backsides so many times this season....

Gila To Ac MIlan

Vieira to Juve

and Luis Figo to inter

It's a hard choice.

Essien has been a monster in midfield. I always liked Eidur or Tiago in there, but now with Essien playing, they looked too lightweight. He sprints everywhere, he wins tackles, plays it early, and is the ultimate player in there, and has really freed Lampard from his "slow start" to score and set up many goals.

Van der Vaart has always been talented, but has needed a certain type of formation based around his talents to truly prosper, and Hamburg took this chance on him and it has really paid off, and hopefully he will be back in the Dutch side rather then the squad come the summer.

Van der Saar has done well at Utd, made some good stops and saved them in games, but Utd are still not doing very well.

And a mention for Luca Toni, has been firing goals in for Fio, got into Italian team, scored goals for them as well, can hold the ball up, and should be in the Italian team taking over Vieri's role hopefully, a very smart signing and will prove very good for Fio as he fires them up the table this year!

For me its between the top two, but for price, it will be VdV as Chelsea paid a lot for Essien, though he has been great.

Luca Toni with Fiorentina this season : 9 goals in 8 games and now they are 4th in the league.
This is the type of striker Fiorentina needed, a good striker who can score regularly.

For me he's also one of the best signings, alongside VdV for Hamburg and Essien for Chelsea.
SWP is also a good one because Chelsea didn't have any right winger, but it's a shame everything is going through the midfield at Chelsea, and so the right winger as little importance...

Luca Toni has been so important, look at his record as posted above, he has been the main difference between Viola last season and this imo, an excellent striker and criminally underrated.

Bonaventure Kalou has been quietly going about his business but has been superb, he has been the key to PSg this season, the role he plays is so imprtant and adds a whole new dimension to PSG. Look at where we are now compared to last season. It is very similar to what happens every season i know but he has made a huge difference.

And Rafa Van Der Vaart, it looks like the change of scenery has done him tremndous good. The talent he has and we all knew he had at Ajax has resurfaced and he is delivering at Hamburg.

Overall for me though, I've chosen Kalou, the difference he has made has been critical imo.

Van Der Sarr And Ji Sung Park to Manchester United
HEHe

Luca Toni for Fiorentina, just look at what he has done for the club already, he has scored 11 goals from 9 matches, I beleive, and he has earned a place in Italy's squad. He is a quality player and the reason why Fiorentina are in the top 3.

Too bad, I already voted on this before and I dont remember who I voted for , but now I changed my mind. Luca Toni, or R.V.D.Vaart for Hamburg, same thing,but he has also assisted some goals but scored less. and again the reason why Hamburg are doing so good in the Bundesliga.

patrick viera because u see the contribution he's doing in the middle by playing great defense..and look what has happened to juventus...i mean they'vve started undefeated for 8 straight games..forst time in history...

I dunno, Michael Owen has made a dramatic impact on Newcastle, he's scoring a lot and helping the club leaps and bounds. Without him, they've got Shearer but Owen is a much more prolific goalscorer and has made an excellent contribution.

hleb beacuse we needed that skill full player/ playmaker

u guys r both right

Wow! this is damn close...i voted for patrick viera...but i feel Essien and Toni were good signings too...
Viera certainly gave juventus a new dimension in their midfield while Essien more or less completes Chelsea's midfield trio. And without Toni, Fiorentina wouldnt have been doing so well in the Seria A.

I think it has been Van der Vaart and Toni.

Yiayia Toure for Olympiakos, he will be a superstar in 3-5 years for sure

have to say Carew, made a bigger imapact on a team then anyone else has.

VDS all the way man

VDS becasue w/o him..Man United will not be #2 in the premiership. Also I have to mention Davids to the Spurs.

vds for man u has been crucial, if they still had carroll, they would be sitting alongside arsenal, which had a very good transfer against them

Ryan Nelsen for Blackburn...

van der sar has been god for us, but i think luca toni has been very good this season

Luca toni
van der vaart
david villa

Owen for Newcastle. They couldn't afford it, but it was ambitious and they win almost every game they play with him in it.

Sissoko for Liverpool. He's been outstanding this season and has formed a formidable partnership with Alonso which is currently the best CM partnership in the Premiership IMO. Considering he is only 21 he has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world.

Van der Vaart has also been immense for his club, Hamburg.