Signing of the season: Premier League review 2011-2012 | Toby Moses

[admin]

<div class="track"><img alt="" src="http://hits.guardian.co.uk/b/ss/guardiangu-feeds/1/H.24.1.1/38450?ns=guardian&pageName=Signing+of+the+season%3A+Premier+League+review+2011-2012+%7C+Toby+Moses%3AArticle%3A1742801&ch=Football&c3=GU.co.uk&c4=Premier+League+%28Football%29%2CFootball%2CSport%2CNewcastle+United+%28Football%29%2CManchester+United+%28Football%29%2CChelsea+%28Football%29%2CEverton+%28Football%29%2CSwansea+City+%28football+club%29&c5=Europa+League%2CPremier+League&c6=Toby+Moses&c7=12-May-10&c8=1742801&c9=Article&c10=Blogpost&c11=Football&c13=Premier+League+2011-12+review+of+the+season&c25=Sport+blog&c30=content&c42=Sport&h2=GU%2FSport%2FFootball%2FPremier+League" width="1" height="1" /></div><p class="standfirst">From Pa$$$$ Cissé to Paul Scholes, here are our nominations for the season's best transfer. Now submit yours</p><p><em>Welcome to guardian.co.uk's review of the 2011-12 Premier League season. An extraordinary campaign is nearing its end and we would like you to help us choose your favourite goal, the best signing and the best manager, as well as seven other categories. </em></p><p><em>We have nominated some contenders, but this is just to get the discussion going: we would like your suggestions so that we can compile the best into final polls that you can vote on. The season doesn't finish until Sunday afternoon so the nomination blogs will be up and running later that evening, with the polls open from Monday 14 May. Thanks.</em></p><h2>Pa$$$$ Cissé</h2><p>Cissé just edges out his Newcastle team-mate Demba Ba because of the incredible impact he's managed after such a small amount of time in English football. It's often said that foreign imports need six months to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League and that there's no value in the January transfer market. The Senegalese striker has put lie to both of those with 13 goals in as many Premier League appearances since signing in January, and has also put to shame all those who come back from the Africa Cup of Nations too "drained" to perform week in week out.</p><h2>Juan Mata</h2><p>His performances were the one bright spark at Chelsea under André Villas-Boas, and he has continued in that vain on the club's remarkable run to the Champions League final. Pinched from under the noses of Arsenal during the summer, he has excelled on the wing and also playing behind the front man – providing pace, guile and goals from midfield, as well as enjoying a potentially fruitful relationship with Fernando Torres that could see both Spaniards thrive at Stamford Bridge next season.</p><h2>Nikica Jelavic</h2><p>Another January signing who needed no time whatsoever to find his feet. Everton have been crying out for a goalscorer for years – but it is safe to say fans did not expect much when Moyes raided beleaguered Rangers for their top scorer. Jelavic paid back his new manager with a string of important goals helping Everton to an FA Cup semi-final and above Liverpool in the table.</p><h2>Michel Vorm</h2><p>It took Swansea until five days before the start of the season to find a replacement for their goalkeeper Dorus De Vries – who had turned down a new contract to sign for Wolves. In came Michel Vorm from Utrecht. Renowned for his penalty saving ability, he conceded four goals in his first game, against Manchester City, but made 11 saves, more than any keeper in a single game than in the previous Premier League season. He saved a Ben Watson penalty in his next game and never looked back, keeping 13 clean sheets, and providing a Fantasy League bargain for any canny armchair managers. Dorus De Who?</p><h2>Paul Scholes</h2><p>There was bemusement when Paul Scholes was recalled from his retirement to bolster United's title challenge – but bolster it he did, demonstrating to anyone who doubted just how valuable a player he has been throughout Sir Alex Ferguson's successful years in Manchester. His first appearance saw a 3-2 FA Cup victory against City, and he scored in his second – but it has been the way he has kept the midfield ticking over with his metronomic passing that has really impressed. Not just one of the signings of the season, one of the best free transfers in history.</p><p>Honourable mentions to Sergio Agüero (a rare big money signing that did not disappoint) and Mikel Arteta (managed to keep Arsenal ticking during a season of chaos and they are still yet to win a game without him in the side).</p><div class="related" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><ul><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premierleague">Premier League</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/newcastleunited">Newcastle United</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/manchester-united">Manchester United</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chelsea">Chelsea</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/everton">Everton</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/swansea">Swansea City</a></li></ul></div><div class="author"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/tobymoses">Toby Moses</a></div><br/><div class="terms"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">guardian.co.uk</a> &copy; 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our <a href="http://users.guardian.co.uk/help/article/0,,933909,00.html">Terms & Conditions</a> | <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/help/feeds">More Feeds</a></div><p style="clear:both" />
<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3NfLElHh6vJm-TSDnoR8w0Nf-G4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3NfLElHh6vJm-TSDnoR8w0Nf-G4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/>
<a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3NfLElHh6vJm-TSDnoR8w0Nf-G4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3NfLElHh6vJm-TSDnoR8w0Nf-G4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theguardian/football/rss/~4/jXaCEJIEBtA" height="1" width="1"/>

More...