On the auction block: rip-offs or steals?

Here’s a list of transfers in the past while that I’ve rated as steals or lemons, based on a number of factors. See if you agree and feel free to add your own!

1. Michael Owen (From Real Madrid to Newcastle/17 million pounds for a four-year contract)

A steal. That’s an average of just over four million quid per year, Alan Shearer was due (and just recently has) to retire, and every team in the Premiership needs a franchise player. Owen may not taste any further FA or League titles, but he’ll end up being treated like royalty by the fans, especially if he stays the full four years.

2. Michael Ballack [undetermined] (From Bayern Munich to Chelsea–financial details unknown)

A steal at any price. He’s a team leader, a playmaker of the highest order, deadly with both feet and strong in the air. A consistent player with proven results, and I think he’d fit in quite well with Chelsea.

Besides, they’ve got deep pockets–they’ve already been ripped off in the past and couldn’t care less.

3. Robert Pires (Arsenal to Villareal–financial details unknown; a two-year contract)

50/50. In my opinion, he’d be worth it if they could get him cheaply enough, but if I were him, I’d stay at Arsenal and finish up my career with a team that’s been more consistent in their performances. Not many footballers end their careers gracefully.

4. Mahamadou Diarra (Lyon to Manchester United–unconfirmed)

50/50. Again, Diarra was magnificent with Lyon in both the French League and the Champions League this year, but that’s not to say that he’ll be worth more than what Chelsea paid for Essien.

Midfielders are the most unknown quantities; if you’ve got a defensive midfielder, it’s harder to justify how well they do, because a low-scoring team will be saying they should be helping up front, and a high-scoring team vice versa.

5. Giorgios Samaras (Heereveen to Manchester City–a three-year contract for 6 million pounds)

50/50. On the one hand, English teams have money to burn, but on the other hand, Man City hasn’t been doing all that well recently. Scoring a flurry of goals earlier on hasn’t really been enough to warrant declaring this a ’steal.’ Samaras will have to improve dramatically before their investment pays off.

6. Rivaldo (Olympiacos 1-year renewal; 1.9 million Euros)

A rip-off. Rivaldo’s done well for Olympiacos since he began playing with the club, but he’s not getting any younger, and Olympiacos’ success in the Greek league this year will be among their last strong years due to an excess of elder players. They need to spend this money on young talent, not aged Brazilian ex-superstars.

7. Sergio Aguero (To Bayern Munich–estimated at 15 million Euros and up)

A rip-off. To be honest, I’ve only seen this 17-year-old play for Argentina’s youth team, and while good, I think he’s got a long way to go before he warrants that much money. D’Allesandro was also highly touted but has since floundered. In other words, don’t believe the hype. Yet.

8. Mark Van Bommel (PSV Eindhoven to Bayern Munich–still being considered)

50/50, not because Van Bommel’s useless, but more because of his age. At 28-years old, he’s not much younger than the midfielder he’s replacing, Michael Ballack. If they can get him for under 15 million Euros, it might be worth it.