Sports

Transfer Deadline: 10 Players Who Saw Their Careers Collapse After Switching Teams

Published

3 years ago

August 30, 2023

Editor

With the transfer window set to close at 11 pm, Friday, September 1, the world of football has seen a very busy transfer window, with top leagues spending big in the player market, including the Premier League, Saudi Pro League, the American League among others.

The PUNCH looks at 10 players, in the last seven years, who failed to live up to expectations after their transfer.

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

Ousmane Dembele

The French winger joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for a club-record fee of €105 million. However, he struggled to live up to expectations at Camp Nou, due to frequent injuries. Dembele joined PSG in August 2023 after roughly six years at Barcelona.

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

Eden Hazard

The Belgian winger joined Real Madrid from Chelsea for a club-record fee of €115 million in 2019. However, being plagued by injuries since his move to the Spanish capital, he failed to replicate his best form. He retired from the Belgian team in 2022 and currently is a free agent after terminating his contract with Real Madrid in 2023. Hazard, 32, is alleged to be considering retirement after he was said to have rejected offers from Saudian clubs and some Premier League clubs.

3. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona, 2018)

Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho’s high-profile transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 was touted as a game-changer. However, the Brazilian midfielder struggled to find his rhythm at Camp Nou. The weight of the transfer fee and the adjustment to Barcelona’s style appeared to have hindered his performance. Coutinho currently plays in Aston Villa, after his move to Bayern Munich did not yield the expected results.

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

Sadio Mane

The Senegalese forward joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool in 2022 for a fee of £35 million. He has had a mixed start to his career at the Allianz Arena, scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances. However, Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen stated, “Because of his long (injury) lay-off, he also couldn’t have the impact at FC Bayern that we all and he himself had hoped for. That’s why we came to the joint decision that he’ll begin a new chapter in his career and make a new start at a different club. We wish him all the best and lots of success for the challenges ahead at Al Nassr.” He was released just after one year at Bayern.

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

Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata’s transfer from Real Madrid to Chelsea in 2017 aimed to elevate his career. Yet, the pressure of filling Diego Costa’s shoes weighed heavily on the Spanish striker. His inability to regularly find the net eroded his confidence, resulting in a disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge.

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

André Silva

André Silva’s transfer from Porto to AC Milan in 2017 held immense promise. However, the Portuguese striker found it challenging to replicate his goal-scoring form in Serie A. Inconsistent playing time and managerial changes hampered his progress, leading to loan spells at Sevilla and Eintracht Frankfurt.

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

Alexis Sanchez

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

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

Memphis Depay

The Dutch forward joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2021 for a fee of €30 million. However, he struggled at the Camp Nou, leading to his exit. Prior to this, he made a €16m move from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United. However, he failed to meet expectations.

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

Angel Di Maria

The Argentine winger joined Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 for a free transfer. However, he has also struggled to find his best form at the Allianz Stadium, and has been benched on several occasions. Earlier, The Argentine winger joined Manchester United from Real Madrid for a fee of £59.7 million in 2014. However, he failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford, and was sold to Paris Saint-Germain after just one season.

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

Renato Sanches

Renato Sanches’s journey from Bayern Munich to Swansea City in 2017 is a tale of misplaced potential. The Portuguese midfielder’s struggles to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League were evident, as his performances fell short of expectations.

PUNCH

Related Topics:Alexis Sanchez Alvaro Morata André Silva Angel Di Maria Memphis Depay Renato Sanches

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Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

5 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.