Hey guys, Chief Siddharth here. It is time to examine football transfers, and relate a bit to FIFA.

Most Expensive Transfers of All Time

1. Gareth Bale: 86 million pounds (Tottenham to Real Madrid)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo: 80 million pounds (Manchester United to Real Madrid)
3. Luis Suarez: 75 million pounds (Liverpool to Barcelona)
4. Neymar: 71.5 million pounds (Santos to Barcelona)
5. James Rodriguez: 63 million pounds (Monaco to Real Madrid)
6. Angel Di Maria: 59.7 million pounds (Real Madrid to Manchester United)
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 59 million pounds (Inter Milan to Barcelona)
8. Kaka: 56 million pounds (AC Milan to Real Madrid)
9. Edinson Cavani: 55 million pounds (Napoli to PSG)
10. Radamel Falcao: 51 million pounds (Atletico Madrid to Monaco)

Any football manager, club owner or FIFA career mode player knows that Football is an expensive sport. To sign the best players, teams have to outlay ridiculous amounts of cash, and bucket loads of wages. Certain players are worth the cost, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane, considering their immense game-changing abilities. However, not every player is worth millions of euros or pounds. Sometimes money is wasted.

Big transfer failures happen due to many reasons. Either the player stops playing well or loses form, as in the cases of Kaka and Fernando Torres. Sometimes the coach is at fault, failing to recognize and award playing time to the player, such as when Pep Guardiola benched Zlatan Ibrahimovic in favour of Lionel Messi. Or a player gets injured, failing to give desired impact after the transfer (Radamel Falcao at Monaco in 2013/14).

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Most Expensive Transfers of 2014

This summer’s transfer window saw clubs waste no time in investing in high quality players. Here are the top transfers of this season:

1. Luis Suarez: 75 million pounds (Liverpool to Barcelona)
2. James Rodriguez: 63 million pounds (Monaco to Real Madrid)
3. Angel Di Maria: 59.7 million pounds (Real Madrid to Manchester United)
4. David Luiz: 50 million pounds (Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain)
5. Diego Costa: 32 million pounds (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea)
6.  Eliaquim Mangala: 32 million pounds (Porto to Manchester City)
7. Alexis Sanchez: 25.3 million pounds (Barcelona to Arsenal)
8. Toni Kroos: 24 million pounds (Bayern Munich to Real Madrid)
9. Luke Shaw: 23 million pounds (Southampton to Manchester United)
10. Cesc Fabregas: 23 million pounds (Barcelona to Chelsea)

As you can see, all transfers except those of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos involved a Premier League Club.

Not every player is worth the price he was bought for. It is time to examine certain transfers, whether they were worth it and how the players stack up in FIFA.

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Overpriced: David Luiz

Transfer fee: 50 million pounds

FIFA Overall Change: 82 in FIFA 14 and 15

Performance that warrants criticism: His entire World Cup performance

David Luiz is the most overpriced player of this transfer window. He was transferred from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain before the world cup, and his horrific performance, particularly in the semi final slaughter of Brazil by Germany was one that led many to question his transfer fee. This may make many feel that PSG were unlucky. But that is not the case. Luiz’s performances before this did not warrant such a large transfer fee either. Considered a risky center back, he was deployed primarily in defensive midfield by Rafa Benitez, while Jose Mourinho decided not to play him much at all. Luiz is known to score stunning free kicks and bolster midfields, but not command defenders. Let us examine his FIFA ratings.

David Luiz was rated 82 in FIFA 14. 75 free kick accuracy and 82 heading accuracy show us that he is an aerial threat. However 49 positioning (horrific, especially for center backs!) as well as high attacking and medium defensive work rates are simply atrocious. Playing a defender who fearlessly ventures into the role of a center forward? Not a great tactic. Luiz is best not played at center back, the position he was bought to play.

The fact that Luiz is overpriced is summed up by the fact that a 50 million pound transfer did not recieve an upgrade between FIFA games.

Think Chief Sid’s not warranted in these beliefs? Check this out

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James Rodriguez: Perfect Price

Transfer Fee: 63 million pounds

FIFA overall change: 83 in FIFA 14 to 86 in FIFA 15.

Performances that prove his worth: His entire world cup campaign.

I understand certain certain readers will think that 63 million pounds is a ridiculous outlay for any player, regardless of quality. But that wasn’t the case with Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo was it? Florentino Perez made a great decision in buying this 21 year old starlet after his performances in Brazil did nothing to contradict this. James Rodriguez scored a header, an impossible volley, set up teammates for goals, and nearly eliminated hosts Brazil from the World Cup. Not too bad eh? Now for FIFA.

James Rodriguez’s overall rating increased from 83 in FIFA 14 to 86 in FIFA 15. Having tried this future legend out myself, I can vouch for his quality in the game. Rodriguez has excellent in game flair, with wonderful attacking runs and challenging shots from all angles. He even does good defensive work! His 4 star skills, 87 vision and 86 dribbling make him a versatile utility.

James Rodriguez’s price is best summed up by the long shot here.

Also see his incredible world cup

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Xabi Alonso and Shinji Kagawa: Underpriced

I am combining this article for both players as they have two things in common: they are not expensive nor does FIFA justify my opinion.

Xabi Alonso: The man who anchored Real for so many years. The man who’s absence nearly lost Real Madrid the Champions League Final (Angel Di Maria saved them there). The man who’s absence even thwarts a Spanish National Side, filled with players such as Xavi, Isco, and Iniesta to play midfield maestro. Xabi Alonso is the definition of the engine room. A tireless, selfless player who’s instinct for good positioning and who’s mere presence scares attackers away is invaluable. And unlike similar players at other clubs, Alonso is the epitome of excellence, the ultimate ala carte item! That is Xabi Alonso.

Why is he overpriced? Termed Bayern’s most important signing by Franz Beckenbaur is one thing. Breaking a Bundesliga Record for most touches on the ball in a game is another. In fact, he dominates the list after just 5-6 games in the Bundesliga. Making a goal-line clearance when his defenders were out of position is another example of his quality. 8 million pounds? Who wouldn’t take him?

A goal scored from your own half…. and the keeper was barely charged. (30 second video)

BEST GOAL EVER MUST WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT A CLEARANCE(12 second video)

Shinji Kagawa: One of three main men for his national side, and the star who helped in the 5-2 demolition of Bayern Munich by Borussia Dortmund, Shinji Kagawa is one of the best Asian players. Creative in midfield, ruthless finishing and joyful at all times, Kagawa is just one of those players who you can depend on. However, his career took a turn for the worse when he moved to Manchester United. Despite one hat trick, he did not have much of an impact.

Now he is back for just 7 million euros at Dortmund, and while its hard to explain, its easy to see why this is a cheap transfer.

Stay tuned for my next post! Feedback is accepted