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Football: Shock Moves

Posted on Aug 23rd, 2012 by Kobina Monney · No comments yet · Tags: Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona, Fernando Torres, robin van persie, Sol Campbell

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Robin Van Persie’s move from Arsenal to United sent a few shockwaves through the footballing world. Despite being rumoured for a few weeks prior, the move was in danger of stalling and falling apart. Only when it went through and RVP emerged at a United press conference could you finally believe. Arsenal had sold one of the best players to Manchester United, the first player Arsene Wenger had allowed to go to the Theatre of Dreams.

It was a bitter pill to take for some judging by the conversation online in the past week, but, it had not discussed as much feverish discussion as some of these transfers from past. Here’s a look at some surprising transfers.

Torres: from Anfield to Stamford Bridge

…symbolise the noveaux rich…

In the blue corner you have Chelsea who have come to symbolise the noveaux rich. In the red corner you have Liverpool, a team club with a significant history that makes clubs like Chelsea envious. At Anfield Torres had a chance to become a legend; at Chelsea he becomes part of a rotating door of strikers like Shevchenko, Sutton and Pizarro, strikers who never settled down by King’s road. It wasn’t the transfer between that made it shocking; it was the £50 million fee that Chelsea plucked from their wallet.

Sol Campbell: from Tottenham to Arsenal

…dislike each other on the field…

The most infamous transfer between the North London clubs. Two clubs that dislike each other on the field with each match an opportunity not only to win, but to embarrass the other. That Sol Campbell chose Arsenal over extending his contract at Tottenham infuriated Spurs supporters. It added needle to a rivalry that was already prickly.

Shearer: from Blackburn to Newcastle

…the most feared strikers…

Shocking? Probably. Bemusing? Most definitely. One of the most feared strikers in England (if not Europe) Shearer, a Geordie, understandably traded his blue and white stripes for black and white ones. If reports were true then after Euro ’96 Alex Ferguson entered the market for the hitman only to be rebuffed. Think of the trophies he could have won.

Cantona: From Leeds to Manchester United

…hot property…

The first real shock of the Premier League era? Cantona had won the 1^st Division title with Leeds, pipping their fierce rivals United at the finish line the year before the inaugural season of the Premier League. Even though he had little luck with the national team he was hot property and fans and pundits alike expected him to lead Leeds to another title. Up stepped United with a £1.2 million bid in November 1992, a signing that kick-started two decades of top flight success: an astonishing 12 titles. Bargain.

What other signings have shocked and surprised you? Comment below!