Blog

As the closing of the transfer window looms at 11 pm on Friday, September 1, the footballing landscape has witnessed an exceptionally active transfer period, characterized by substantial investments in player acquisitions across prominent leagues, including the Premier League, Saudi Pro League, and the American League, among others.

The PUNCH examines ten players from the past seven years who have failed to meet the anticipated standards following their transfers:

1. Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, 2017)

French winger Ousmane Dembele made a notable move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017, commanding a club-record fee of €105 million. However, his tenure at Camp Nou was marred by recurrent injuries, preventing him from fulfilling expectations. After approximately six years with Barcelona, Dembele moved to PSG in August 2023.

2. Eden Hazard (Chelsea to Real Madrid, 2019)

Belgian winger Eden Hazard transferred from Chelsea to Real Madrid in 2019, setting a club-record fee of €115 million. Unfortunately, his time in the Spanish capital was riddled with injuries, hindering him from showcasing his top form. Hazard retired from the Belgian team in 2022 and is currently a free agent after terminating his contract with Real Madrid in 2023. Reports suggest that Hazard, aged 32, is contemplating retirement, having allegedly declined offers from Saudi clubs and certain Premier League teams.

3. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona, 2018)

The high-profile transfer of Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 was expected to be transformative. However, he grappled with adaptation to Camp Nou and struggled to find his rhythm. The weight of the transfer fee and the challenge of fitting into Barcelona’s playing style seemed to impede his performance. Currently, Coutinho plays for Aston Villa after his stint at Bayern Munich did not yield the desired outcomes.

4. Sadio Mane (Liverpool to Bayern Munich, 2022)

Senegalese forward Sadio Mane joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool in 2022 for a transfer fee of £35 million. His time at Allianz Arena has been mixed, with 10 goals scored in 22 appearances. Despite this, Bayern’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen acknowledged that injuries hindered his desired impact at the club. Consequently, Mane initiated a new chapter in his career by moving to a different club, Al Nassr.

5. Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid to Chelsea, 2017)

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata’s transfer from Real Madrid to Chelsea in 2017 aimed to elevate his career, but the pressure of replacing Diego Costa posed a challenge. His inconsistency in finding the net eroded his confidence, leading to a disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge.

6. André Silva (Porto to AC Milan, 2017)

André Silva’s transfer from Porto to AC Milan in 2017 held significant promise, but he struggled to replicate his goal-scoring prowess in Serie A. Disrupted playing time and managerial changes impeded his progress, resulting in loan spells at Sevilla and Eintracht Frankfurt.

7. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal to Manchester United, 2018)

Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United from Arsenal in 2018 for a £39 million fee. However, he struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford and was subsequently loaned to Inter Milan in 2019.

8. Memphis Depay (Lyon to Barcelona, 2021 & PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United, 2015)

Dutch forward Memphis Depay transferred to Barcelona from Lyon in 2021 for €30 million but faced difficulties at Camp Nou, leading to his departure. Earlier, his move from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United for €16 million in 2015 also fell short of expectations.

9. Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain to Juventus, 2022 & Real Madrid to Manchester United, 2014)

Argentine winger Angel Di Maria moved to Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 as a free transfer but struggled to find his best form at Allianz Stadium. Priorly, his £59.7 million transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester United in 2014 resulted in unmet expectations, leading to his subsequent sale to Paris Saint-Germain after one season.

10. Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich to Swansea City, 2017)

The journey of Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches from Bayern Munich to Swansea City in 2017 epitomizes untapped potential. His challenges in adapting to the physical demands of the Premier League were evident as his performances did not meet the projected standards.