Ranking the most game-changing transfers in Premier League history

1. Petr Cech - Chelsea, £7m, July 2004

The arrival of Petr Cech as a £7 million signing from Rennes in 2004 marked a significant turning point for Chelsea. The Austrian goalkeeper quickly became a dominant force in goal, conceding only 15 goals in his debut season and establishing a record 24 clean sheets in the subsequent campaign. Cech's presence at Stamford Bridge played a crucial role in the club's back-to-back Premier League titles and contributed to their historic Champions League victory.

2. Alan Shearer - Southampton to Blackburn, £3.6m, July 1992

In 1992, Blackburn Rovers made history by paying an unprecedented British record fee of £3.6 million for young Southampton striker Alan Shearer. The 21-year-old quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer, helping Blackburn secure their first-ever top-flight title in 27 years. Shearer's arrival set the tone for Blackburn's remarkable season, which culminated in a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.

3. Carlos Tevez - Corinthians to West Ham, undisclosed, August 2006

When Manchester United and Liverpool both turned down Argentine forward Carlos Tevez in 2006, West Ham United stepped in with a surprise £32.5 million bid. The young Argentinian proved to be a significant upgrade for the struggling London club, netting seven goals in just seven Premier League matches as West Ham secured their survival in the relegation zone. Tevez's arrival injected much-needed sparkle into West Ham's attack and demonstrated the club's willingness to invest in top talent.

4. Robinho - Real Madrid to Manchester City, £32.5m, August 2008

Manchester City's £32.5 million acquisition of Brazilian superstar Robinho in 2008 was a bold statement from the Abu Dhabi United Group-backed club. Although Robinho's time at City was ultimately short-lived and marred by controversy, his arrival sent a clear message to the footballing world about City's ambitions. The young star's goalscoring prowess provided a much-needed boost to City's attack during a period of significant transformation in English football, laying the groundwork for the club's eventual dominance in the Premier League era.