#1 - Demba Ba (Newcastle/Senegal)
Thanks to a smart release clause in his contract with West Ham, Demba Ba became a free agent after West Ham got relegated from the Premier League. Interestingly, Ba failed a physical at Stoke City before joining Newcastle United for a minimal fee on June 17, 2011.
Since then, Ba has scored 14 league goals for the club in 19 games. Most notably, he scored a hat trick against Stoke City (where he failed a physical) and another hat trick against Blackburn Rovers. He was named in ESPN.com's Premier League Best XI for the first half of the season.
He is Footy Bozz's number one best buy in 2011.
#2 - Sergio Kun Aguero (Manchester City/Argentina)
When you consider how old Kun Aguero is (23 yrs), it's amazing how much he has achieved in his career. Bought for approximately $55 Million on July 28, 2011, Aguero has been an instant hit with fans and team mates for his work rate and attitude.
Kun rubbished football pundit's assessment that he needed time to adjust to the league when he took only nine minutes to open his Premier League account against Swansea. Since then, he hasn't looked back, notching a total of 13 goals in 18 league games for Manchester City.
This Argentine who holds his country's record as the youngest player to play in the top division at 15 years and 35 days (previous record was held by his father-in-law, Diego Maradona), is just getting started in the EPL. He's our number 2 best buy in 2011.
#3 - Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Blackburn Rovers/Nigeria)
If Footy Bozz had to predict this list before the season started, Yakubu Aiyegbeni would not have made our top 20 picks. But here he is at number 3. Why?
Since signing a 3-year deal with Blackburn Rovers on August 31, 2011, the 'Yak' has scored 13 of Blackburn Rovers 28 goals this season (a whooping 46% of the Club's goals).
He has been an instant hit with the Rovers fans and may be solely responsible for Steve Kean still keeping his job despite fans calling for his head. As he demonstrated on the last day of the year by scoring twice against Manchester United, Rovers fan will tell you to 'feed the Yak and he will score'.
#4 - Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham/Togo)
African Football of the Year in 2008, Adebayor should not be a surprise inclusion in any top 10 selection. However, what makes Adebayor's case special is the fact that he has been treated like a washed up striker not fit to lace his boots for parent club Manchester City.
After a successful loan spell last year with Spanish giants Real Madrid, Man City Manager Roberto Mancini ruled out a return for Adebayor and opted to stick with rebellious Carlos Tevez as his fourth striker. Tottenham quickly snapped up Adebayor on loan and have reaped the fruit of his labor since then. He's currently in the top 10 league scorers with 9 goals this season.
#5 - Luis Suraez (Liverpool/Uruguay)
If Luis Suarez had converted half of the chances he created this season, he would probably be sitting on top of our list as #1.
The current MVP of Copa America has lit up Anfield and the Kop since his arrival in January. While the goals have not quite been plentiful (5 goals in 17 matches), he has been the catalyst in Liverpool's pass and move attack. His combination with fellow fireball Craig Bellamy, is proving to be one to benefit Liverpool in the long run.
In the short term, Suarez is causing Liverpool some headache with his ongoing disciplinary issues with the English FA. Hopefully, focusing his time and effort on the pitch will erase all the controversy surrounding is status in the Premier League. He's one h*ll of a footballer!
#6 - Juan Mata (Chelsea/Spain)
On August 24, 2011, Chelsea signed Juan Mata to a five-year deal after buying his services from Spanish club Valencia for $35 Million. 17 games and 4 goals later, Mata is slowly becoming the playmaker Chelsea had hoped for.
Juan Mata's true potential may yet be ahead of us as he continues to adjust to a talented midfield that already has Club legend Frank Lampard, Brazilian International Ramirez, Portuguese International Raul Meireles among others. Mata is our number 6 best buy of the season
#7 - Gervinho (Arsenal/Ivory Coast)
In July 2011, Arsenal paid $16.5 Million to French Club Lille, for the services of their striker Gervinho. While his transfer was clouded in the Cesc Fabregas transfer dust and a red card in his first game, Gervinho has since settled at the Emirates.
Much like he's done for International compatriot, Didier Drogba, Gervinho has provided the necessary assistance to Robin Van Persie, who is having a phenomenal year as Arsenal's skipper. With more effort in the second half of the season, Gervinho will be finding the net more often than he has in 2011.
#8 - Scott Parker (Tottenham/England)
When Scott Parker chose to go to Tottenham rather than return to former club Chelsea, I questioned his desire to appear at the highest European Summit (Champions League). In hindsight, Parker was absolutely spot on in going to play for Harry Redknapp's resurgent Spurs
He has firmly secured a starting role in the heart of Spurs midfield with Luka Modric and Sandro. Interestingly, Chelsea was more interested in signing Modric, but ended up losing both ways. Their loss is Redknapp's gain. His team has a commanding hold on the the # 3 spot on the league table, ahead of Chelsea. Scott Parker is a good reason why Harry can smile.
#9 - Darren Bent (Aston Villa/England)
Bent is not the most skillful #9 in the world, but he always gets the job done. From Charlton , to Tottenham, Sunderland and Aston Villa, Bent has always emerged each season with enough goals to justify his fee.
While he hasn't featured in all Villa's matches this season, he's found a way to still score 6 goals and lead all scorers for his club. He makes our list of best buys in 2011.
#10 - Jose Enrique (Liverpool)
Footy Bozz is still not sure why this former Newcastle man is yet to get a call up to the Spanish National team. Whatever he needs to do, he has already done at Liverpool. Along with his fellow Spaniard Pepe Reina, Enrique has been the most reliable Liverpool player and has played in all 19 of the Club's league games in the first half of the season.
He was named in ESPN.com's Premier League Best XI for the first half of the season. He's our 10th and final pick for the best buy of the 2011 calendar year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
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