Tweet
Sportsmail's verdict on the £80m Sunderland transfer record of Roy Keane - the manager who liked to deal
By Colin Young
Last updated at 1:46 PM on 04th December 2008
Roy Keane signed a whopping 39 players for about £80million in less than two-and-a-half seasons at Sunderland.
In his defence, the Sunderland manager has had to build three teams. His first aim was to attract players to survive in the Championship, and then maintain an unexpected, premature and ultimately very successful push for promotion.
Perhaps the rise to the Barclays Premier League came too early, but Keane needed new blood to survive, although he gambled on the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Kieran Richardson, Craig Gordon, Paul McShane and Greg Halford with mixed results, he achieved the goal with three points and three places to spare.
Scroll down for more
Sealing the deal: Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn (left) gave Keane plenty of support in transfer dealings
In the summer he took his spending to more than £80million by adding an entirely new squad, but has again suffered more misses than hits.
Sportsmail's Colin Young gives his verdict on Keane's dealings in the transfer market, awarding 'R' raspberry ratings or a '+' for his hits...
2006/7
Liam Miller. Free. Manchester United. RR
Remains a regular in Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad but unable to hold down a spot under Keane. Sunderland career overshadowed by the repeated tardiness which forced Keane to put him on the transfer list and frustrating inconsistency.
More...
Dwight Yorke. Free. Sydney FC. +
A hit, but age has denied him regular games. His intelligence means his head still has it, even in the Barclays Premier League, sadly the legs are going. Offering an extra year now seems on odd decision.
Scroll down for more
Hit and miss: Dwight Yorke (left) has done well at Sunderland, while Liam Miller has been an unsurprising flop at the Stadium of Light
Graham Kavanagh. £500,000. Wigan. R
One of Keane's best signings but that was as an excellent Championship player. Lengthy injury actually ruled him out of most of the promotion season and now on loan at Carlisle.
Stanislav Varga. Undisclosed. Celtic. RRRR
Played with Keane at Celtic and another for the lower league but found out too many times at that level and not been seen since February last year.
David Connolly. £1.4m. Wigan. RR
Top scorer in the Championship year but hip and hernia problems ruled him out of the top flight, if he would have been given a chance anyway. His injuries and wages have curtailed any possibility of moving on.
Ross Wallace. Undisclosed. Celtic. R
Looked destined for Scotland recognition at one point, but bombed out at the end of last season and now on loan at Preston. Perhaps deserved a longer stint on Wearside.
Lewis Nyatanga. Loan. Derby. RRR
Wales international signed on loan for left-back cover in the Championship. Struggled for regular place and soon headed back to Derby.
Scroll down for more
Good but gone: Jonny Evans (No 4) is mobbed after scoring against Hull in 2007
Jonny Evans. Loan. Manchester United. +
Had two loan spells from Manchester United, the Northern Ireland international is one of the most promising young defenders in the country and Keane must wish he could sign him permanently but he knows Evans has every chance of becoming a regular at Old Trafford.
Marton Fulop. £500,000. Tottenham. RR
Promising keeper at Spurs, international credentials with Hungary, on the verge of joining Stoke in the summer but deal fell through at the last minute. Failed to live up to expectations in his first run and unable to keep out half-fit Craig Gordon last week.
Carlos Edwards. £1.4m. Luton. +
Injury-plagued 30-year-old with real ability who made an impact in the promotion run. Struggled with injuries since but Keane's indecision on the winger is final. Started the season in the squad, loaned to Wolves for a month, recalled and played against West Ham. Who knows what the future holds.
Anthony Stokes. £2m. Arsenal. RRR
Keane battled hard with Celtic, West Ham and Charlton for the Arsenal trainee who was a hit with 14 goals in 16 Scottish League games for Falkirk. The move appeared to go to his head, he is another of the Late Three, who showed alarming naivety in his infrequent appearances. Now on loan at Sheffield United, but already had a run-in with Kevin Blackwell.
Danny Simpson. Loan. Manchester United. +
Steady full-back taken on loan from Manchester United by Keane who did his bit for the club in 2007, now a regular at Blackburn.
Stern John. Undisclosed. Coventry. R
Scored four crucial goals to take them up and used as part of the Kenwyne Jones deal which took him to Southampton but now on loan at Bristol City.
Scroll down for more
High point: Stern John celebrates scoring against Birmingham in August last year
2007/8
Craig Gordon. £9m. Hearts. R/+
A competent young keeper in Scotland with international experience and still remains a promising one who gains experience all the time. But worth £9m? Sadly not. Yet.
Paul McShane. £2.5m. West Brom. R
Wholehearted Ireland international defender but prone to mistakes and Keane ran out of patience midway through last season. Talks a good game though and now doing so regularly and well, and out of position, at Hull City.
Dickson Etuhu. £1.5m. Norwich. RRR
Looked the business in the spoiling midfield role last season, but another who barely lasted after Christmas last year. Signed by Fulham for the same fee as Keane paid.
Kieran Richardson. £5.5m. Manchester United. +
Suffered a career-threatening injury and last season was a virtual right-off. Returned to the heart of Sunderland's midfield this term and sporadic but brilliant at times, as his derby winner against Newcastle demonstrated.
Michael Chopra. £5m. Cardiff. R
Like it or not, a controversial signing, especially for £5m, just a year after leaving home-town club Newcastle for a tenth of that price after failing to make the side. 'Fox in the box' Keane called him and used him mainly as a winger. Currently on loan back at Cardiff after Academy striker Martyn Waghorn returned from injury but the goals are bound to come.
Greg Halford. £2.5m. Reading. RRRRR
Keane once said 'I look at players after a few days and think "nah, you're not for me".' Could he possibly have been referring to the Reading full-back who played just eight shambolic games. Reading could not believe their luck at that fee - as Wally Downes may have pointed out to Keane. Now on loan at Sheffield United.
Scroll down for more
Top of the flops: Greg Halford fails to stop another useless player - Liverpool's Andriy Voronin - from scoring
Roy O'Donovan. Undisclosed. Cork City. RRR
Gamble from Cork, but unlike Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle, did not exceed expectations. Keane tried to persevere but it just didn't happen for the striker who is now on loan at Dundee United. So unconvincing even Trapattoni hasn't picked him.
Russell Anderson. £1m. Aberdeen. RRRR
Scotland international defender with a decent reputation at Aberdeen, but played just one game as a Premier League substitute. Loan spells with Plymouth and Burnley ruined by injury and currently recovering from cruciate injury.
Danny Higginbotham. £2.5m. Stoke. R
Another former Manchester United junior offered a chance at the top level by Keane. Up and down performer who lost his place to Jonny Evans last season before he was given back to Stoke where he is the regular and reliable left-back.
Kenwyne Jones. £6m. Southampton. +
Without doubt Keane's best signing. Just don't mention it was by accident after Alan Smith, Mido and Darren Bent fell through - although mystery still surrounds which one blamed the missus and caused Keane's outbursts against WAGs. Last season's top scorer who is powerful, committed, leads the line brilliantly but only recently returned after four-month knee injury. Keane needs the partnership with Djibril Cisse to take off.
Ian Harte. Free. Levante. RRR
Offered a lifeline after Spain but just three starts to his name. A free transfer gamble which sadly just didn't work out for both sides.
Andrew Cole. Free. Portsmouth. RRRR
A peculiar signing because he was never going to play and did not complete 90 minutes in his few appearances. Failed to score before heading to Burnley on loan.
Phil Bardsley. £2m. Manchester United. R
Looked steady last season and must have been bemused by Pascal Chimbonda's move to Wearside. His reward is to be in and out of the side, or played at left-back. A trier, which can't be said for some.
Raspberry Rade: Prica was a panic buy that went wrong
Rade Prica. £2m. FC Aalborg. RRRRR
A panic buy last January. Got the winner against Birmingham but has never looked like a Premier League footballer. Handed the No 45 shirt, soon to be followed by a return ticket to Sweden.
Andy Reid. £4 million. Charlton. +
Helped keep the club up but in and out of the side this season and psychologically must be struggling to come to terms with Trapattoni's rejection from the Ireland squad. It is a bizarre exclusion but not helped by failing to keep his place at Sunderland. Still the best passer and creative mind at the club.
Yves Mvoto-Mvoto. £300,000. Paris St-Germain. RR
Who indeed? Lanky teenage defender signed from Paris Saint-Germain, occasional reserve player who has got nowhere near the first team squad.
2008/9
Nick Colgan. Free. Ipswich. R
Signed when Marton Fulop looked destined for Stoke, despite Gavin Ward and young Trevor Carson on the books, but now just another drain on the wage bill. Reliable former understudy to Shay Given with Ireland, just don't expect to see him play.
George McCartney. £4.5m. West Ham. +
Keane needed a left-back and the Northern Ireland international fell into his lap, with his partner desperate to get back to the North East. His absence has coincided with the recent dreadful run.
Anton Ferdinand. £8m. West Ham. +
A steady and promising start after arriving from Upton Park but his confidence looks hit by the appalling goals conceded far too often.
Scroll down for more
Looking good: Anton Ferdinand tussles with Craig Bellamy against his former club, West Ham
Pascal Chimbonda. Undisclosed. Tottenham. RRR
Had trouble written all over him, but that did not put Keane off. All too predictably, time keeping is an issue, he has moaned to the French press about being out of the team and likes a good sulk. Countdown on his departure started weeks ago.
Teemu Tainio. Undisclosed. Tottenham. R
Injuries have not helped the Finland international settle at Sunderland, but few Tottenham fans will be surprised to see he spends most weekends on the bench. No doubt impresses the coaches occasionally but not a player who catches the eye.
Steed Malbranque. Undisclosed. Tottenham. +
Completes the Tottenham trio and made the best impression with his tidy manner and precise passing. Only completed five of his 15 games and must be disappointed with his zero goal return.
David Meyler. Undisclosed. Cork City. R
Young Cork midfielder signed on the recommendation of scouts Keane trusts, even though there are numerous promising midfielders in the Academy, not least Jordan Henderson and Jack Colback, who have broken into the first team squad. Been on the bench, but yet to play.
Scroll down for more
By Colin Young
Last updated at 1:46 PM on 04th December 2008
Roy Keane signed a whopping 39 players for about £80million in less than two-and-a-half seasons at Sunderland.
In his defence, the Sunderland manager has had to build three teams. His first aim was to attract players to survive in the Championship, and then maintain an unexpected, premature and ultimately very successful push for promotion.
Perhaps the rise to the Barclays Premier League came too early, but Keane needed new blood to survive, although he gambled on the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Kieran Richardson, Craig Gordon, Paul McShane and Greg Halford with mixed results, he achieved the goal with three points and three places to spare.
Scroll down for more
Sealing the deal: Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn (left) gave Keane plenty of support in transfer dealings
In the summer he took his spending to more than £80million by adding an entirely new squad, but has again suffered more misses than hits.
Sportsmail's Colin Young gives his verdict on Keane's dealings in the transfer market, awarding 'R' raspberry ratings or a '+' for his hits...
2006/7
Liam Miller. Free. Manchester United. RR
Remains a regular in Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad but unable to hold down a spot under Keane. Sunderland career overshadowed by the repeated tardiness which forced Keane to put him on the transfer list and frustrating inconsistency.
More...
- Roy Keane quits as Sunderland boss after 100 games in charge
- Roy's story: The highs and lows of departed Keane
- From Curbishley to Keane: The Premier League managerial merry-go-round in full swing
- SUNDERLAND AFC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET
Dwight Yorke. Free. Sydney FC. +
A hit, but age has denied him regular games. His intelligence means his head still has it, even in the Barclays Premier League, sadly the legs are going. Offering an extra year now seems on odd decision.
Scroll down for more
Hit and miss: Dwight Yorke (left) has done well at Sunderland, while Liam Miller has been an unsurprising flop at the Stadium of Light
Graham Kavanagh. £500,000. Wigan. R
One of Keane's best signings but that was as an excellent Championship player. Lengthy injury actually ruled him out of most of the promotion season and now on loan at Carlisle.
Stanislav Varga. Undisclosed. Celtic. RRRR
Played with Keane at Celtic and another for the lower league but found out too many times at that level and not been seen since February last year.
David Connolly. £1.4m. Wigan. RR
Top scorer in the Championship year but hip and hernia problems ruled him out of the top flight, if he would have been given a chance anyway. His injuries and wages have curtailed any possibility of moving on.
Ross Wallace. Undisclosed. Celtic. R
Looked destined for Scotland recognition at one point, but bombed out at the end of last season and now on loan at Preston. Perhaps deserved a longer stint on Wearside.
Lewis Nyatanga. Loan. Derby. RRR
Wales international signed on loan for left-back cover in the Championship. Struggled for regular place and soon headed back to Derby.
Scroll down for more
Good but gone: Jonny Evans (No 4) is mobbed after scoring against Hull in 2007
Jonny Evans. Loan. Manchester United. +
Had two loan spells from Manchester United, the Northern Ireland international is one of the most promising young defenders in the country and Keane must wish he could sign him permanently but he knows Evans has every chance of becoming a regular at Old Trafford.
Marton Fulop. £500,000. Tottenham. RR
Promising keeper at Spurs, international credentials with Hungary, on the verge of joining Stoke in the summer but deal fell through at the last minute. Failed to live up to expectations in his first run and unable to keep out half-fit Craig Gordon last week.
Carlos Edwards. £1.4m. Luton. +
Injury-plagued 30-year-old with real ability who made an impact in the promotion run. Struggled with injuries since but Keane's indecision on the winger is final. Started the season in the squad, loaned to Wolves for a month, recalled and played against West Ham. Who knows what the future holds.
Anthony Stokes. £2m. Arsenal. RRR
Keane battled hard with Celtic, West Ham and Charlton for the Arsenal trainee who was a hit with 14 goals in 16 Scottish League games for Falkirk. The move appeared to go to his head, he is another of the Late Three, who showed alarming naivety in his infrequent appearances. Now on loan at Sheffield United, but already had a run-in with Kevin Blackwell.
Danny Simpson. Loan. Manchester United. +
Steady full-back taken on loan from Manchester United by Keane who did his bit for the club in 2007, now a regular at Blackburn.
Stern John. Undisclosed. Coventry. R
Scored four crucial goals to take them up and used as part of the Kenwyne Jones deal which took him to Southampton but now on loan at Bristol City.
Scroll down for more
High point: Stern John celebrates scoring against Birmingham in August last year
2007/8
Craig Gordon. £9m. Hearts. R/+
A competent young keeper in Scotland with international experience and still remains a promising one who gains experience all the time. But worth £9m? Sadly not. Yet.
Paul McShane. £2.5m. West Brom. R
Wholehearted Ireland international defender but prone to mistakes and Keane ran out of patience midway through last season. Talks a good game though and now doing so regularly and well, and out of position, at Hull City.
Dickson Etuhu. £1.5m. Norwich. RRR
Looked the business in the spoiling midfield role last season, but another who barely lasted after Christmas last year. Signed by Fulham for the same fee as Keane paid.
Kieran Richardson. £5.5m. Manchester United. +
Suffered a career-threatening injury and last season was a virtual right-off. Returned to the heart of Sunderland's midfield this term and sporadic but brilliant at times, as his derby winner against Newcastle demonstrated.
Michael Chopra. £5m. Cardiff. R
Like it or not, a controversial signing, especially for £5m, just a year after leaving home-town club Newcastle for a tenth of that price after failing to make the side. 'Fox in the box' Keane called him and used him mainly as a winger. Currently on loan back at Cardiff after Academy striker Martyn Waghorn returned from injury but the goals are bound to come.
Greg Halford. £2.5m. Reading. RRRRR
Keane once said 'I look at players after a few days and think "nah, you're not for me".' Could he possibly have been referring to the Reading full-back who played just eight shambolic games. Reading could not believe their luck at that fee - as Wally Downes may have pointed out to Keane. Now on loan at Sheffield United.
Scroll down for more
Top of the flops: Greg Halford fails to stop another useless player - Liverpool's Andriy Voronin - from scoring
Roy O'Donovan. Undisclosed. Cork City. RRR
Gamble from Cork, but unlike Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle, did not exceed expectations. Keane tried to persevere but it just didn't happen for the striker who is now on loan at Dundee United. So unconvincing even Trapattoni hasn't picked him.
Russell Anderson. £1m. Aberdeen. RRRR
Scotland international defender with a decent reputation at Aberdeen, but played just one game as a Premier League substitute. Loan spells with Plymouth and Burnley ruined by injury and currently recovering from cruciate injury.
Danny Higginbotham. £2.5m. Stoke. R
Another former Manchester United junior offered a chance at the top level by Keane. Up and down performer who lost his place to Jonny Evans last season before he was given back to Stoke where he is the regular and reliable left-back.
Kenwyne Jones. £6m. Southampton. +
Without doubt Keane's best signing. Just don't mention it was by accident after Alan Smith, Mido and Darren Bent fell through - although mystery still surrounds which one blamed the missus and caused Keane's outbursts against WAGs. Last season's top scorer who is powerful, committed, leads the line brilliantly but only recently returned after four-month knee injury. Keane needs the partnership with Djibril Cisse to take off.
Ian Harte. Free. Levante. RRR
Offered a lifeline after Spain but just three starts to his name. A free transfer gamble which sadly just didn't work out for both sides.
Andrew Cole. Free. Portsmouth. RRRR
A peculiar signing because he was never going to play and did not complete 90 minutes in his few appearances. Failed to score before heading to Burnley on loan.
Phil Bardsley. £2m. Manchester United. R
Looked steady last season and must have been bemused by Pascal Chimbonda's move to Wearside. His reward is to be in and out of the side, or played at left-back. A trier, which can't be said for some.
Raspberry Rade: Prica was a panic buy that went wrongRade Prica. £2m. FC Aalborg. RRRRR
A panic buy last January. Got the winner against Birmingham but has never looked like a Premier League footballer. Handed the No 45 shirt, soon to be followed by a return ticket to Sweden.
Andy Reid. £4 million. Charlton. +
Helped keep the club up but in and out of the side this season and psychologically must be struggling to come to terms with Trapattoni's rejection from the Ireland squad. It is a bizarre exclusion but not helped by failing to keep his place at Sunderland. Still the best passer and creative mind at the club.
Yves Mvoto-Mvoto. £300,000. Paris St-Germain. RR
Who indeed? Lanky teenage defender signed from Paris Saint-Germain, occasional reserve player who has got nowhere near the first team squad.
2008/9
Nick Colgan. Free. Ipswich. R
Signed when Marton Fulop looked destined for Stoke, despite Gavin Ward and young Trevor Carson on the books, but now just another drain on the wage bill. Reliable former understudy to Shay Given with Ireland, just don't expect to see him play.
George McCartney. £4.5m. West Ham. +
Keane needed a left-back and the Northern Ireland international fell into his lap, with his partner desperate to get back to the North East. His absence has coincided with the recent dreadful run.
Anton Ferdinand. £8m. West Ham. +
A steady and promising start after arriving from Upton Park but his confidence looks hit by the appalling goals conceded far too often.
Scroll down for more
Looking good: Anton Ferdinand tussles with Craig Bellamy against his former club, West Ham
Pascal Chimbonda. Undisclosed. Tottenham. RRR
Had trouble written all over him, but that did not put Keane off. All too predictably, time keeping is an issue, he has moaned to the French press about being out of the team and likes a good sulk. Countdown on his departure started weeks ago.
Teemu Tainio. Undisclosed. Tottenham. R
Injuries have not helped the Finland international settle at Sunderland, but few Tottenham fans will be surprised to see he spends most weekends on the bench. No doubt impresses the coaches occasionally but not a player who catches the eye.
Steed Malbranque. Undisclosed. Tottenham. +
Completes the Tottenham trio and made the best impression with his tidy manner and precise passing. Only completed five of his 15 games and must be disappointed with his zero goal return.
David Meyler. Undisclosed. Cork City. R
Young Cork midfielder signed on the recommendation of scouts Keane trusts, even though there are numerous promising midfielders in the Academy, not least Jordan Henderson and Jack Colback, who have broken into the first team squad. Been on the bench, but yet to play.
Scroll down for more
Comment