Kelvin Leong applauds the 10 warriors who have proved to be the best buys of the season so far. From Arsenal to Sunderland, here we go!
Many have come and walked out into jam-packed stadiums of the Barclays Premier League thinking they have made it to the big time, only to suffer stage fright and sink into the doldrums of the unknown.
These 10 players have proved to be different. Value for money to be crude.
They came, they saw, they conquered.
Here are the 10:-
Thomas Vermaelen - Arsenal
Every other European club must be kicking themselves for failing to notice the Belgian defender's qualities when he was at Ajax Amsterdam.
Since Arsene Wenger brought him in to be part of his Gunners setup, the Verminator has outshone his defensive partner, William Gallas as the leader of the team.
Not only has he taken the Premier League by storm with his excellent defending, the Belgian has also been effective at the other end. Four goals for a defender as of December is a great statistic to have in your bag.
Especially in your debut season!
Darrent Bent - Sunderland
The Spurs reject has made his critics swallow humble pie when they said he was not good enough.
Since joining the Black Cats, Bent has been in sensational form, slaloming his way to 13 goals so far.
With Fabio Capello already sitting up and taking notice of Bent's outstanding form this season, Spurs fans must be scratching their heads wondering why one earth the same player never quite showed up at White Hart Lane.
A definite contender for the Three Lions squad which is expected to bring the World Cup trophy home.
Damien Duff - Fulham
With a catalogue of injuries huge enough to write his own medical book, Duff has finally put his injury nightmare behind him and is having one of his best seasons ever since he left Blackburn Rovers in 2003.
Roy Hodgson has managed to get the flying winger back to his best and has been rewarded with man-of-the-match performances by the Irishman.
Duff's crossing and dead-ball deliveries have been superb all season and has even contributed four goals in his time at Craven Cottage.
Sebastian Bassong - Tottenham
He signed up for the Newcastle project just a season ago but was helpless when the Magpies went spiralling downhill into the Championship.
Farsighted Premiership bosses like Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp saw his potential and the latter was first off the blocks to seal his signature. Well done Harry!
Alongside Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson or Ledley King, Bassong has held his own and is now a huge part of Redknapp's plans.
His omission from the Cameroon African Cup of Nations squad could be a vital cog in Spurs' push for a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Richard Dunne - Aston Villa
Dunne has been on a mission to show Manchester City that they were wrong to deem him surplus to requirements at Eastlands.
Since joining Martin O'Neill at Villa, Dunne has been a man-mountain in defence, singlehandedly carrying the club to their lofty ambitions of breaking up the monopoly of the top four.
On October 5 2009, Dunne got the ultimate revenge when he powered home his first goal for the club against his former employers.
A pity we won't be seeing him in South Africa next June due to a certain man's very own version of the ‘Hand of God'.
Glen Johnson - Liverpool
It took Johnson four clubs before finally realising his enormous potential at Liverpool which came at a cost of £18m for the Anfield giants.
His rampaging runs down the right has been the only bright spark in an otherwise horrendous season for Rafa Benitez and his men.
So much was said of Alberto Aquilani's arrival but Johnson has been the star performer for the underachieving Reds this season.
His ligament injury that he picked up at Aston Villa could prove to make Liverpool's hopes of a Champions League spot an even more daunting task than it already is.
Capello must be sweating buckets praying that his top right-back will be ready for South Africa.
Niko Kranjcar - Tottenham
Harry Redknapp was probably rubbing his eyes with shock when Portsmouth agreed to allow Kranjcar to join Tottenham for a meagre sum of around £2.5 million.
The Croatian playmaker has wasted little time to settle in and has taken the opportunity left by compatriot, Luka Modric's injury to show the Lilywhites just what his game is all about.
A keen dribbler who loves to shoot on sight, Kranjcar has already hammered in four goals in his short time at White Hart Lane.
With Modric now back to full fitness, Redknapp could be tempted to field the two Croats side by side which will probably provide Spurs with one of the most creative midfield pairings in recent history.
Barry Ferguson - Birmingham
The former Rangers and Scotland captain is a defensive midfielder who loves the occasional foray up the pitch to join in the attack.
A move to Birmingham reignited his career and together with Lee Bowyer, the duo have forged an impregnable partnership in midfield for Alex McLeish's side.
Ferguson's vision and eye for finding the open man has been one of the key reasons why Birmingham are flying high in the Premier League.
Andre Bikey - Burnley
How ironic life can be. Bikey was the villain when Reading and Burnley clashed in the semi-final playoff first leg when he sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake only to come full circle and sign for Owen Coyle's side when they gained promotion to the top flight.
The Cameroonian is fearless when he walks onto the pitch and is often the first man to throw himself around to block shots or put in a last ditch tackle.
Burnley fans love him for his tenacity and Bikey has proved that he can mix it with the best players in the best league in the world.
Stephen Warnock - Aston Villa
The kid grew up wanting to don the red jersey of his childhood club, Liverpool.
Never given a chance to impress at Anfield, Warnock moved on to Blackburn where he steadily matured into a very offensive-minded left-back who can defend and attack with equal ease.
Since joining Villa, Warnock has put in outstanding shifts on the left which have led to calls from the public for him to be given more opportunities in the Three Lions setup.
Any other Premier League signing that you reckon has impressed you so far this season?
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