Opinions of Thursday, 1 September 2016

Columnist: ghanasoccernet.com

The good, the bad, and the ugly of all Ghanaian transfers this summer

Kevin Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew Kevin Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew

Ghanaian internationals made sensational moves across Europe in what will go down as one of the most historic summers of all time.

The English Premier League smashed their previous spending to a jaw dropping 1.165 billion pounds. The Serie A followed with 590 million pounds, the Bundesliga blew 460 million pounds and the Spanish La Liga surprising came fourth with 400 million Pounds while Ligue 1 did 165 million pounds worth of business.

But how sensational were the moves? Here is a breakdown of what brought excitement, disbelief and disappointment.

The Good:

Andre Ayew to West Ham United:

The pick of the pack will be Andre Ayew who sealed a mouth-watering deal from Swansea City to West Ham United for a club record deal. The Hammers had to pay 20.5 Million pounds for the former Marseille man.

He scored 12 goals in his maiden season in England with Swansea and should add more when he recovers from a thigh injury that has scarred his move.

Rabiu Mohammed to Anzhi:

Rabiu Mohammed is also another who has made a move in what looks like an upward direction.

After managing to dodge playing in the Russian division 1 because Krasnodar got relegated at the end of last season, he secured a three year deal with Anzhi Makhachkala.

With a deal reported to be worth 2 million euros, it’s a super deal given he would have been lost in the wilderness.

Kevin Prince Boateng to Las Palmas:

This is one of the best moves of the summer and I see Boateng wanting to prove everybody wrong again.

He has already scored in every game he has played in and even though he had to give a lot of money up to make the move, it looks a good one from the start.

He is assured of game time and this is a huge opportunity to get it right again after some really disappointing spells in Germany and Italy.


The good, the bad, and the ugly of all Ghanaian transfers this summer


Kevin Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew

Ghanaian internationals made sensational moves across Europe in what will go down as one of the most historic summers of all time.

The English Premier League smashed their previous spending to a jaw dropping 1.165 billion pounds. The Serie A followed with 590 million pounds, the Bundesliga blew 460 million pounds and the Spanish La Liga surprising came fourth with 400 million Pounds while Ligue 1 did 165 million pounds worth of business.

But how sensational were the moves? Here is a breakdown of what brought excitement, disbelief and disappointment.

The Good:

Andre Ayew to West Ham United:


The pick of the pack will be Andre Ayew who sealed a mouth-watering deal from Swansea City to West Ham United for a club record deal. The Hammers had to pay 20.5 Million pounds for the former Marseille man.

He scored 12 goals in his maiden season in England with Swansea and should add more when he recovers from a thigh injury that has scarred his move.

Rabiu Mohammed to Anzhi:

Rabiu Mohammed is also another who has made a move in what looks like an upward direction.

After managing to dodge playing in the Russian division 1 because Krasnodar got relegated at the end of last season, he secured a three year deal with Anzhi Makhachkala.

With a deal reported to be worth 2 million euros, it’s a super deal given he would have been lost in the wilderness.

Kevin Prince Boateng to Las Palmas:

This is one of the best moves of the summer and I see Boateng wanting to prove everybody wrong again.

He has already scored in every game he has played in and even though he had to give a lot of money up to make the move, it looks a good one from the start.

He is assured of game time and this is a huge opportunity to get it right again after some really disappointing spells in Germany and Italy.

Christian Atsu to Newcastle:

At the age of 24, Atsu is going on his 5th loan spell since joining Chelsea in 2013. That is way too much for a player of his talent but at Newcastle there is the opportunity to finally get it right.

I like Rafael Benitez and I think if Atsu stays fit, some good guidance from the former Liverpool boss could make him the difference between championship and top-tier football.

Baba Rahman to Schalke:

There was skepticism about his move from Augsburg to Chelsea from the start but the up side of joining one of the best clubs in Europe is that when it does not work, you have the opportunity to move to an equally good club.

At Schalke, Rahman will get game time and get the most important thing that is dear to footballers: the trust of the coach.

His mates give him huge respect because of the club he is coming from. It looks a very sensible deal at the moment.



Mubarak Wakaso to Panathinaikos:

The powerful Ghanaian midfielder was one of the big signings for the Greek giants and financially it is very lucrative.

Reports in Greece say Wakaso pocketed 2 million Euros from the deal and he will play regular football.

THE BAD:

Albert Adomah to Aston Villa:

It is perhaps the most intriguing transfer of the summer from a Ghanaian point.

Adomah played a key role to help Middlesbrough secure qualification to the English Premier League.

He has played in two of Boro’s three games this season in the EPL. Yet, he decided to move back to the Championship.

Can someone tell him to explain or it is just a love for the Championship?


Asamoah Gyan to Al Ahli Dubai:

Asamoah Gyan was so certain he would secure a deal in England that he told Sky Sports upon arrival in the UK that once he was in England there was something for him in there.

Reports of a failed deal and a later denial from him meant one thing: He had to go back to the UAE.

So sad given his return to English football was highly anticipated.



Seidu Salifu to Demirspor :

Seidu Salifu is one of the players who have been very consistent in the Tunisian League and played over 70 games for Club Africain.

But moving to the Turkish Division one is a step down.

He now plays for Demirspor.


The Ugly:

Emmanuel Frimpong to Arsenal Tula:

Emmanuel Frimpong plays for Arsenal but not the one he graduated from as the best youth team product but the one in far away Russia.

After failing at FC Ufa, the Ghanaian in a desperate from signed for Arsenal Tula.

Such a sharp decline to a player who was considered as the future of Arsene Wenger’s side


Laryea Kingson to Genclik Gucu :

I admire Learyea Kingson’s resolve to still want to play football but at 35, this is clearly a move to secure his last pay cheque.

But it could have been anywhere than the Cypriot second tier. It leaves you scratching your head every time.