Top of the flops! Modric and Song voted worst signings of the season in Spain

Two former Premier League stars have been voted as the worst signings of the season in La Liga, by readers of Spanish newspaper Marca.



Luka Modric, who left Tottenham for Real Madrid after protracted negotiations, and Alex Song, who signed for Barcelona from Arsenal, were the worst rated, with Modric gaining 32.2 per cent of the vote.



Croatian Modric initially impressed on debut for Jose Mourinho's side, but has failed to push on and claim a regular role either as a deep-lying playmaker like Xabi Alonso, or attacking midfielder like Mesut Ozil.



Flop: Both Luka Modric and Alex Song have struggled to adapt to life in Spain

In total, he has scored once in 19 appearances, though they only total 717 minutes, or around eight full matches.



Speaking to Sportske.net, Modric said: 'This is Real Madrid, I know the huge media pressure on transfers.



'I'm not looking for an alibi, I'm not that guy, but it's very demanding to adjust to a huge club like Real Madrid.



'I have had a number of solid performances, I failed in some but overall I proved I can offer something.'



As for Song, the Cameroon international has featured in just seven games, the majority of which have come at centre-back as opposed to his preferred midfield role.



Another former Premier League star did receive acclaim, though, with Obafemi Martins coming second in the poll for best signing of the season.



New lease of life: Obafemi Martins has hit the ground running at Levante

The former Newcastle and Birmingham City striker is now at Levante, where he has scored six times in 21 appearances. Barcelona's Jordi Alba won the vote.



In the same survey, Lionel Messi unsurprisingly won the player of the year title with a staggering 60 per cent of the vote, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (14.4 per cent) and Radamel Falcao (10.6 per cent).



Elsewhere, Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova were all beaten to the coach of the year gong by Atletico Madrid boss, the former Argentina international Diego Simeone.



So, with La Liga passing judgement on their top and flop stars, we asked Sportsmail writers for their signings of the season so far...



Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)

The midfielder may also rival Gareth Bale for the best dive of the season which earned a penalty against West Brom, but he made an immediate impact when he joined Arsenal and has continued to impress.



England’s Jack Wilshere can only learn from playing with the diminutive Spaniard, whose balance, vision and close ball control is simply a pleasure to watch.

LAURA WILLIAMSON

Santi's come to town: Arsenal's Santi Cazorla has been excellent since joining

Steven Nzonzi (Stoke City)

I struggled to see the point of Nzonzi at Blackburn but all has become clear since his switch to Stoke. Big and strong, he looks tailor-made for Tony Pulis’ side, but there is far more to him than brawn.



His composure on the ball and distribution are qualities Stoke have been crying out for in central midfield. Nearly everything goes through him.

JOHN EDWARDS

Solid at the back: Sebastien Bassong

Sebastien Bassong (Norwich)

The Cameroonian, a snip at under £3m, is the leader of defence and a big factor why they are over-achieving. Calming influence and set-piece threat, scoring three times.

LAURIE WHITWELL

Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)

Martin O’Neill’s No1 summer target has shown fans what all the fuss was about and in the early weeks of the season his goals kept Sunderland afloat.

COLIN YOUNG

Michu (Swansea)

Considering Michael Laudrup’s extensive experience of European football, Michu was hardly a discovery, but in an era when foreign players are given six months to settle, Michu took to life in the Premier League straight away.



Signed from Rayo Vallecano for £2.2million, 13 League goals so far is a remarkable return. Shows desire, application and the right attitude. Good on him.

NEIL ASHTON

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)

When Ledley King's knees finally gave way, Spurs looked short of real class at the back, but Vertonghen has stepped in with ease.



The former Ajax captain is comfortable on the ball and, though not the fastest, makes up for it by reading the game well.



He can provide cover at left back and is a threat going forward as he proved by scoring the opener in Spurs' win at Old Trafford. His £10m price tag has been easily justified.

ANDREW MAGEE



