Signing of the season?

Posted Friday, April 29, 2011 by UK.eurosport.yahoo.com

Javier Hernandez's 12 Premier League goals have helped take Manchester United to the brink of a record-breaking 19th title.

The young Mexican, nicknamed Chicharito (Little Pea), has been a revelation at Old Trafford and looks like he might just be the bargain signing of the season.

Hernandez signed last summer from C.D. Guadalajara for an undisclosed fee believed to be just £7 million.

The most remarkable thing about Hernandez is not just that he scores goals, but that he scores IMPORTANT goals.

He has netted seven late winners for United during the campaign, including one against Everton last weekend, which you can see in our scouting video (should autoplay in the picture box for UK users only).

But is he the best Premier League signing of the season? Have a look at some other contenders and leave your thoughts below.

Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid – Tottenham £8m)

The Dutchman has been in sparkling form for Tottenham this campaign, especially during the first half of the season. He's scored 14 goals in total, including 12 in the league.

Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow – West Brom £1m)

The goals of the Russian-born Nigerian are arguably what have kept the Baggies up. Odemwingie has bagged 13 this season – all in the Premier League – which is all the more impressive when you consider he has done it for a struggling side.

Raul Meireles (Porto – Liverpool £11.5m)

Roy Hodgson's campaign at Anfield was a disaster, but the signing of the Portuguese midfielder could be his most important legacy. Tireless and classy, Meireles won the PFA Fans' Player of the Year.

David Luiz (Benfica – Chelsea £22.25m)

Fernando Torres hasn't exactly set the world on fire at Stamford Bridge, but the same cannot be said of Luiz. Signed on the same day as Torres, the Brazil international has been a revelation at the back.
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea – Bolton, loan)

Another January signing, Sturridge has been on fire since moving to the Reebok Stadium on loan. He has scored seven goals in just eight starts for Bolton, and also scored four goals for Chelsea in limited action this campaign.

Cheik Tiote (Twente – Newcastle, £3.5m)

The tough-tackling Ivorian is the type of player that every manager dreams about. His work-rate in the middle of the park is exceptional but he is also comfortable and composed on the ball. Such has been the quality of the 24-year-old's performances that Newcastle rewarded him with a new six-and-a-half-year contract in February.

DJ Campbell (Leicester – Blackpool, £1.25m)

As a loan signing, Campbell helped Blackpool win promotion; now, as a permanent signing, his goals might keep them in the Premier League. Scoring goals in this division is never easy, but bargain buy Campbell has netted 11 this campaign.

Darren Bent (Sunderland – Aston Villa, £24m)

People said Aston Villa were mad when they splashed out such a large sum on the England striker in January but, if anything, it looks a bargain now. Bent has scored seven goals in 12 appearances (after having scored 11 for Sunderland) and without his goals Villa might now be on the brink of relegation.