Football's Most Disappointing Players: A Look At The Biggest Flops

Football's Most Disappointing Players: A Look At The Biggest Flops

Players are signed to do well and improve the current state of a football club. Sometimes, players grow old or sign for other clubs and replace them. Transfers are an integral part of football. But, things don’t always go as planned when signing a new player. When a good player underperforms for an extended period after making a big-money move, the player’s term with the club is a flop. It could be the new playing conditions, the weather, the language, the food, mixing with other players, or one of several reasons. We look at the biggest flops in football in the most recent past going back the past three decades.

Biggest Flops In Football

Some of the biggest flops in football history include players from Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

1. Chelsea

Chelsea signed Torres from Liverpool in a 50 million deal, one of the highest transfer fees paid for a player in the Premier League. The same player who scored over 20 goals for Liverpool in the Premier League season never scored more than eight goals for Chelsea. However, the player did win the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea. Chelsea also signed Mutu in 2003 for an incredible 16 million pounds. Mutu played well for his clubs. However, his problems lay off the field. The player was suspended for the use of cocaine and banned from playing for Chelsea for seven months. Another player that underperformed after signing for Chelsea includes Shevchenko, one of Ukraine’s greatest goal scorers. Kepa was also signed for a record deal for goalkeepers in a 72 million contract. Kepa’s form has been so bad that the club had to sign Mendy and use Kepa as the backup goalie.

2. Real Madrid

When Real Madrid signed Kaka, he was one of the best players in the World. Madrid signed the former Ballon d’Or winner in then world-record transfer of above 68 million pounds in 2009. Injuries plagued the rest of Kaka’s career as Messi and Ronald came to dominate La Liga for the next 13 years. Real Madrid also signed Eden Hazard from Chelsea in a deal where they expected Real Madrid to continue dominating over Barcelona for the following seasons. Madrid signed Eden from Chelsea in a deal worth 100 million pounds, rising to over 140 million pounds based on performance. Another similar signing for Real Madrid made from the Premier League almost a decade earlier was the signing of Gareth Bale. Bale didn’t fare well at the club, had problems with supporters, and was benched season after season.

3. Liverpool

When Liverpool sold Torres after a drop in his form, everyone thought it was a masterstroke by LFC. However, the club used most of the funds to secure Andy Carrol from Newcastle United in a deal north of 36 million. Carrol had an underwhelming performance at Liverpool, apart from injuries and red cards. Liverpool also signed Mario Balotelli from AC Milan for an astounding 16 million pounds. The then young player managed to score just one solitary goal at Anfield. They released the player after several dismal performances for free. Coutinho signed for FC Barcelona in a deal for over 105 million pounds to make up for selling Neymar to PSG.

4. Manchester United

United signed Diego Forlan when the Uruguayan was at the prime of his career. However, the World Cup golden boot winner had underwhelming performances at Old Trafford with a few sparks of exceptional play. In 2001, United purchased Veron for a then English transfer record at 28 million pounds. Veron managed to hit the ground running, scoring 3 out of his first four games. However, the player did not live up to his potential and expectations of a club such as Manchester United. Veron transferred to Chelsea, where he also flopped.