The top bargains and flops of 2011

This year as always has saw a huge number of players moving to new clubs. Some players have proved more successful than others.

In this article I will highlight the players that I think have been the biggest flops and bargains of 2011.

Bargains

Demba Ba (Newcastle)

From the moment Demba Ba arrived in England with West Ham he showed he could score goals in the Premier League. A move to Stoke collapsed last January due to the Senegalese international having knee problems.

However Newcastle snapped the striker up on a free transfer this summer and he has been outstanding for the Magpies. Ba is currently Newcastle’s top goal scorer with 14 Premier League goals in just 17 games this season.

He has all the attributes of a great centre forward and has proved his doubters wrong. I’m sure many other Premier League managers out there are kicking themselves at not taking a gamble on the former-Hoffenheim star.

Newcastle will miss their star striker as he is set to head off to the African Cup of Nations. Demba Ba will be a hard player to replace.

Michel Vorm (Swansea)

When the Dutch keeper arrived from Eredivisie side Utrecht for £1.5million he was unknown to most Premier League fans. However the Swansea keeper has been in fantastic this season and won the Welsh side so many points this season.

His presence between the sticks could be the difference between the club staying up or going down he is that important. Vorm has helped his side maintain one of the best home defences in Europe this season.

Not only is he a superb shot stopper but he is also a good footballer, which you have to be in a team that plays like Swansea.

Flops

Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

I’m sorry but this just could not be avoided. Fernando Torres cost Chelsea £50million when he joined them from Chelsea back in January. The move was supposed to reignite his stalling career. However his career has completely gone off the rails.

Once one of deadliest strikers in the world he is now the laughing stock of the English top flight. It seems he currently has a major psychological problem and if he doesn’t sort it out his career will just dwindle away.

The Spaniard has found the net just twice in 13 Premier League appearances for the Blues this season, not exactly statistics of a world-class striker. Fernando Torres has now given himself a mountain to climb in rescuing his reputation.

Chelsea fans will be hoping that he recovers his form sooner rather than later or he could very well become the biggest money flop of all-time.

Andy Carroll (Liverpool)

This might be slightly unfair on the lad as he is still young but for £35million you expect to get a striker who will hit the ground running with goals. His goals return this season has been a measly two goals in 16 appearances, seven of those coming from the substitutes bench.

Carroll does have the potential to be a top striker but his fitness and lifestyle has been questioned ever since he arrived on Merseyside. According to reports the 22 year-old loves a pint or two. Not exactly ideal for a footballer at the top level of the game.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has felt it necessary to defend the striker in the press. Liverpool fans are now questioning the signing of Andy Carroll and wondering if the money spent on Carroll could have been spent better elsewhere.

Opinion

These are my bargains and flops of 2011. Here is your chance to voice your opinion on your winners and losers of 2011. We look forward to hearing your opinions.