Sports

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

Published

2 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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Liverpool Vs Arsenal: Gunners Seek 1st EPL Win At Anfield Since 2012

Published

6 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

Arsenal head to Anfield this Sunday—seeking a first Premier League win there since 2012—a victory will bolster their title pursuit.

Currently unbeaten in two league matches, Arsenal boast of the division’s best defensive record; Liverpool, the defending champions, have conceded goals early this season.

Liverpool, unbeaten at home in August since 2015, have scored in 36 successive league matches—a potential new record.

Arsenal’s injury list is mounting– Saka, Havertz, Odegaard and Jesus are either out or doubtful.

New 68 million pound signing, Eberechi Eze, may debut.

Mikel Arteta praised Eze’s “special aura” at training; he is expected to spark creativity amid absentee worries.

Liverpool offer positive fitness news; Mac Allister is training again; no new concerns reported by manager Arne Slot.

Arteta says the fixture is “defining” for perception as much as league position; he urges belief through adversity.

Slot admits Arsenal pose a serious threat—particularly from set-pieces—but insists his side is fully prepared.

The Anfield record speaks volumes: League meetings have ended in draws lately.

Arsenal are winless there in 12 league trips—and have not won since 2012.

Head-to-head balance remains tight; in 244 meetings, Liverpool lead 95–83 in wins; 66 ended level.

Recent league matches at Anfield have mostly ended in stalemates, including a 2‑2 draw in May 2025 when Arsenal came from two down.

A draw may be respectable; a loss, predictable under circumstances; a win, however, will irreversibly shift the narrative in Arsenal’s favour.

As the players emerge onto that famed Anfield turf, this fixture transcends tactics; it will come down to mindset, belief—and perhaps a debut that sparks hope.

Game day may well redefine Arsenal’s season.

(NAN)

Sports

Chelsea Vs Barcelona, Arsenal Vs Bayern — UEFA Releases Fixture Date, Time

Published

1 day ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

Chelsea vs Barcelona, Arsenal vs Bayern — UEFA releases fixture date, time
UEFA has officially released the full fixtures, dates, and kick-off times for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, setting the stage for blockbuster matches involving Europe’s biggest clubs.

The schedule follows the draw held on Thursday, 28 August 2025, which determined the opponents for all 36 participating clubs under the new league-phase format.

According to the schedule, Chelsea will host Barcelona on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, in one of the standout ties of Matchday Five, with kick-off set for 21:00 CET. Arsenal, on the other hand, will face German giants Bayern Munich on the same matchday, also on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, at 21:00 CET.

In Matchday 1, Bayern Munich will host Chelsea at the Allianz Arena in a repeat of the 2012 Champions League final, where the Blues won 4-3 on penalties. On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Barcelona will welcome PSG in the standout fixture for MatchDay 2.

Matchday 4 features another high-profile fixture as Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 5 November. On the same night, Liverpool renew their fierce rivalry with Real Madrid at Anfield, with kick-off time set for 21:00 CET.

Now in its second year running, the Champions League is being played under UEFA’s new “league phase” format, which replaced the traditional group stage. Instead of eight groups of four, all 36 participating teams are placed in a single league table, each playing eight different opponents, four at home and four away.

The top eight sides qualify automatically for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will contest a play-off round to secure their spot in the knockouts.

Opening Champions League fixtures (1900 GMT unless stated)

Tuesday, September 16

Athletic Bilbao (ESP) v Arsenal (ENG) (1645 GMT)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) (1645 GMT)

Juventus (ITA) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Real Madrid (ESP) v Marseille (FRA)

Benfica (POR) v Qarabag (AZE)

Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) v Villarreal (ESP)

Wednesday, September 17

Olympiacos (GRE) v Pafos (CYP) (1645 GMT)

Slavia Prague (CZE) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR) (1645 GMT)

Ajax (NED) v Inter Milan (ITA)

Bayern Munich (GER) v Chelsea (ENG)

Liverpool (ENG) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Atalanta (ITA)

Thursday, September 18

Club Brugge (BEL) v Monaco (FRA) (1645 GMT)

FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER) (1645 GMT)

Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) v Galatasaray (TUR)

Manchester City (ENG) v Napoli (ITA)

Newcastle United (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP)

Sporting (POR) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ)

Sports

West Ham Reject Chance To Sign Andre Onana On Loan

Published

2 days ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

West Ham United have reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, according to The Guardian.

The Hammers are in the market for a new goalkeeper after summer signing Mads Hermansen, who joined from Leicester City, has struggled to impress. However, the club made it clear that Onana, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, is not seen as an upgrade on their current options.

The 29-year-old Cameroon international lost his starting spot to Altay Bayindir this season under new United manager Ruben Amorim, and he was offered to West Ham as a potential solution. But the London club rejected the deal.

Onana returned to action in midweek against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup but endured another difficult night as United crashed out to the League Two side. He was partly at fault for the Mariners’ second goal after failing to deal with a cross, and United eventually lost 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

West Ham, meanwhile, are actively exploring other targets. Talks are reportedly ongoing with Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, while the club has also revived its interest in Botafogo’s John Victor, having reached an agreement in principle for the Brazilian during the summer.

Manager Graham Potter is under pressure to resolve the club’s goalkeeping issues, with Hermansen conceding eight goals in just two league appearances, including three from set pieces against Chelsea last weekend. Backup option Alphonse Areola also failed to impress in a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.