Premier League: Big Money Flops.

The Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world which can sometimes prove to be a big test of a player’s patience and reputation. Be it the speed of the game or the sheer physicality the Premier League may not be every player’s cup of tea. No matter what the transfer fee, money never guarantees success.

With the transfer of Angel Di Maria to Manchester United, the PL transfer record was handsomely broken.  Today, on the deadline day, we, at 18 Yard Box, focus on some of the biggest names or big money signings who just couldn’t adapt to life in England. Here is a look at the bruised egos and questionable transfers that have raised eyebrows over the club's decision to buy these players.

Marouane Fellaini

An omen from the Moyes Era

The Belgian was a David Moyes favourite at Everton and had plenty of experience in the Premier League then what could possibly go wrong when he signed for the Old Trafford unit under his former boss. The answer: EVERYTHING. Starting from the deadline day transfer fees of 27.5 million pounds to the fact that he was used in the wrong position finally ending the season goalless Fellaini can aptly be labelled a ‘flop signing’. Fellaini was expected to add muscle to the United midfield instead his sloppy ball control and lack of genuine pace made him a liability in the center of the park. New United boss Louis Van Gaal doesn’t regard him too highly and any potential suitor would be unwilling to shell out more than 15 million pounds given his performances last season.

Fernando Torres

Half the striker he used to be

After establishing himself in the English game following a move to Anfield from Athletico Madrid, Fernando Torres shocked the football world when he handed a transfer request to complete a switch to London side Chelsea in the winter of 2010. Having left the club on bad terms for an undisclosed transfer fees which is reported to be in the 50 million pound range Torres looked a shadow of his former self and his stunning misses have been in the headlines far more than his goals. Unable to contribute to the scoring tally and justify the large transfer fees Torres has found it increasingly difficult to exert any sort of influence at Stamford Bridge. A suitable exit strategy for the former Premier League player of the season must be a priority following the arrival of Diego Costa.

Juan Sebastian Veron

England was just not for him

Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had his fair share of flop signings but none bigger in terms of transfer fees than Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron. The summer of 2001 saw the arrival of the talismanic central midfielder from Lazio for a mind-boggling 28.1m pounds. Technically sublime, Veron had an armory of passes to unlock the opposition's midfield making him the fulcrum of his team. A typical ‘Rolls Royes’ midfielder who keeps the game moving Veron struggled to exert his influence in the English game due to sheer pace of the premier league which didn’t allow him time on the ball. Having called him a flop in the Premier League Veron showed his true ability in Europe. Eventually, Veron called it a day on his Old Trafford career by making a 15 million pound transfer to Chelsea just a few seasons later.

Steve Marlet                                  

The Curious Purchase of Steve Marlet

Steve Marlet’s arrival at Fulham from Lyon in 2001 for a staggering 11.5 million pounds raised several question marks and the Frenchman’s performances didn’t provide answers. Out of the 4 years at Fulham he spent a large amount of time on loan at Marseille and managed just 11 goals in his 40 odd appearances for the Cottagers. His poor performances led to charges of corruption against then manager, Jean Tigana, which were later dropped by the club chairman Al Fayed. The coach and the player were sacked by the club as measures to cut their losses.

Andy Carroll

Even Suarez came cheaper than him!!

If there was an award for ridiculous transfer fees Andy Carroll’s move from Newcastle to Liverpool would probably win it hands down. Following the departure of Fernando Torres, Liverpool were desperate to fill their forward line with a goal scoring talisman. Carroll, who had a brilliant season for Newcastle till then, was a good addition if not for the insane transfer fees of 35 million pounds. A typical number 9 player Carroll made his debut only in March after picking up an injury at St James’ Park. Plagued with injuries and goal scoring drought Carroll was an indictment of Kenny Dalglish’s laughable transfer policy which led to his sacking and eventual sale of Carroll to West Ham for a far more reasonable 17 million pounds.

Sergei Rebrov

What works in Ukraine doesn't (necessarily) in England

Sergei Rebrov was the star of the Dinamo Kiev side where he partnered fellow Ukranian Andriy Shevchenko. The pair terrorised defences not just in Ukrainian leagues but also in the Champions’ League in the late 90s. However, his 11 million pound move to Tottenham in the summer of 2000 was anything but a successful stint. He fared rather poorly during his time at Spurs unable to replicate his form in Ukraine. He managed to score just 15 goals in 75 appearances. Rebrov remains to be one of the worst signing by George Graham, a manager known for having an acute eye for talent.

Robbie Keane

What was Rafa thinking?

Acquired from White Hart Lane for 20 million pounds, Robbie Keane, seemed highly unsettled during his time at Anfield. Rafa Benitez was tempted to acquire Keane as a striking partner for Fernando Torres and Keane’s 100 plus goals for Tottenham would have given the Spaniard the confidence to go through with the deal. Unable to reproduce his fine goal scoring performances Keane managed just 7 goals in his 27 appearances for Liverpool. He eventually returned to Tottenham just 6 months later for a lower transfer fees.

Francis Jeffers

Jeffers looked lost at Arsenal.

Francis Jeffers burst on to the international scene when he hammered in 13 goals in 16 games for England U-21 side. He went on to sign for Arsenal in 2001 for 8 million pounds, a fee that made him one of Arsenal's most expensive buys at that time. From rivaling Michael Owen for a place in the England line-up to just end up being used for domestic games at Arsenal, Francis Jeffers' reputation of goals went from a flurry of goals to a lack of them. With Henry & Bergkamp leading the line, arguably two of the best players of the Wenger era, Jeffers could never really live up to his price tag & break into the starting XI. Plagued by injuries & disciplinary problems, one of England's premier hopes went down crashing. He left Arsenal for Charlton in 2004 for a paltry 2.4 million pounds and has been changing clubs ever since.


Alberto Aquiliani

Arrivederci Alberto!!

A player who was seen as the likely replacement for fan favourite Xabi Alonso, came to Merseyside in the summer of 2006 for a whopping 17 million pounds+bonuses. The then Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez said that player had actually cost less than his worth,since, he was injured. He could never kick-off his career in England and was sent back to two Italy for two successive loan spells. After his dismal spell of 26 games for the Merseysiders, it was finally time to bid goodbye to the Italian who promised so much but failed to deliver.

Massimo Taibi

The Blind Venetian.

Peter Schmeicel, arguably one of Premier league's greatest & most successful goalkeepers called it a day in 1999. It was time for Sir Alex to find a new first-choice goalkeeper. The player who signed on the dotted line to be the next Manchester United golkeeper was Italian Massimo Taibi. Signed for 4.5 million pounds in 1999, Taibi managed just 4 appearances for the club. Taibi earned the moniker, "The Blind Venetian" for his howler against Southampton. His torrid time finally came to an end when he was bought by Reggina in 2002.

Andriy Shevchenko

(L-R): The fall & the rise of two of Europe's finest strikers.

No list of "Signings that went wrong" would be complete without the mention of Chelsea's 30 million pound signing of this Ukrainian. A player who was signed over Mourinho's head by Roman Abramovich, the player-manager relation never really took off. The fall of Shevchenko was contrasted with the rise of a Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba. Such was the prominence of the Ivorian that Shevchenko was on the bench for most of his Chelsea career used to pick up the bits after Drogba had won the 3 points fro his team. Recurring injuries only added to his misery. In 2009, Shevchenko left Chelsea for his hometown club in Kiev, his affair with Chelsea is one never to be forgotten.

All in all, big money buys doesn't necessarily buy success, does it? We'll wait & find out how the latest & biggest buys adapt to life in the Premier League. 

Written by,

Pranav Shenoy & Pranav Byatnal.