Malouda, Gordon and Nugent - three new jewels in the Premier League's crown

It has been a busy summer in the transfer market, with the two Manchester sides and Liverpool leading the way, all spending huge amounts of cash. There has also been the drawn-out saga of the Carlos Tevez affair, Thierry Henry’s departure from Arsenal, and a relatively cheap and headline-free window for Chelsea. We have also seen liberal spending by many of the mid-table sides. In amongst all of the summer signings, three stand out as being particularly astute, and could make or break the fortunes of their clubs.

Florent Malouda: There is no doubt Manchester United deserved their championship win last season, but problems at Chelsea definitely contributed, too, particularly the change of formation prompted by the arrivals of Andrei Shevchenko and Michael Ballack and the injury problems of Arjen Robben. Chelsea have been at their best in previous seasons under Jose Mourinho playing 4-3-3, but last season reverted to 4-4-2 to incorporate the new signings which unbalanced the side and led to predictable and one dimensional play. With the signing of French international Malouda, the Blues seem to be reverting to the more successful system, and with the impeding departure of Robben to Real Madrid, he could be the key to their season.

Malouda is quick, skilful and proven at the top level. Not only that, but he had a great understanding with Didier Drogba at Guingamp in France before they both moved on to bigger things. Hopefully this means he will slip quickly into the side and make an impact straight away. Most importantly, last season’s French Player of the Year won't join the exodus of Chelsea players to the African Cup of Nations midway through the season. Also, unusually for a Chelsea signing, he looks good value at £13m! Could be the player who helps ensure the title returns to Stamford Bridge?

David Nugent: Harry Redknapp is known as the king of the wheeler-dealers in the transfer market, and this summer he may have pulled of his biggest coup yet in Nugent, an England international striker, for just £6m.
Nugent looks to be an astute and exciting signing for Pompey. He is the archetypal ‘fox in the box’ that every team needs if they are to be successful, and should add some much-needed consistency to Portsmouth’s front line.

The south coast side's undoing last season was their patchy away form, as they lost a number of games after failing to convert the copious chances they created. Nugent won’t be so wasteful and if he makes the transition, a fight for the UEFA Cup spaces beckons. Yes, you could argue Nugent is unproven at Premier League level, but from what we have seen from him in the championship, in Preston’s Cup runs and in an England shirt, there is no reason why he shouldn’t score 20 goals this season. After all, to get selected for England whilst playing for Championship club is a huge achievement.

Craig Gordon: For a team in Sunderland’s position, newly-promoted and under pressure from the first game, nothing is more important than a solid defence - and Gordon will go a long way towards ensuring the Wearsiders have that. In some ways he is expensive at £9m, but  young, quality goalkeepers are in short supply and high demand. If he lives up to expectations and contributes to keeping Sunderland in the top flight, then that fee will be paid back many times over.

Gordon is top class, only 24 and has captained his club and played for his country with impressive consistency since he broke into the first team. He commands the penalty area with authority and confidence, is an excellent shot stopper and confident handling crosses. In short he has all the attributes needed to become a success at Sunderland and in the Premier League. Aside from manager Roy Keane, he could be the man most influential in keeping Sunderland in the Premiership this season.