Clubs across Europe spent a record 2 billion euros in the summer transfer window. Whilst many signings such as Isco to Real Madrid, Mesut Ozil to Arsenal, Carlos Tevez to Juventus and Mkhtaryan to Dortmund have all proved to beAi??master-strokes by their respective clubs, not every transfer has been successful.Ai??With every incredible transfer comes a poor one, and there have been some poor ones this year too.
THT looks back at the transfers of 2013 and lists down the biggest flops of the year:
10. Raul Albiol to Napoli
Defense was considered as the most concerning area of South Italians and they splashed 12 millions on the regular substitute of Real Madrid. Unsurprisingly though,
the Spaniard has struggled to justify the price tag.
9. Iago Aspas ai??i?? Liverpool
The Spaniard moved to Merseyside for hefty fee of 9 million and has only made 7 appearances till date. The youngster has failed to impress.
Suarez’s suspension was a good opportunity for him to convince but he has certainly failed in it.
8. Ishak Belfodil ai??i?? Inter Milan
The Algerian international moved to San Siro for 7.5 million euros during the summer and has unable to impress the coach yet.
The winger has made only 6 appearances till date and yet to score a goal for Inter.
7. Roberto Soldado – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham is struggling badly this season and the biggest area of concern of course is attack. The Spaniard came to White
Heart Lane with sky high expectations but not able to fulfill them at the moment.
And while he can’t be completely excused of all the blame, he has not been that bad. Nine goals in 17 appearances is not a completely catastrophic return. But a lot of them have come from the penalty spot.
6. Arouna Kone ai??i?? Everton
Roberto Martinez knows Kone from his days at Wigan. And maybe that is the reason he paid 7.5 million for him.
The Cote dai??i??Ivore striker has made just 5 appearances this season and ages behind Romelu Lukaku in the pecking order.
5. Asier Illaramendi ai??i?? Real Madrid
Los Blancos spent 35 millions for a young central midfielder: the area where they already have the likes of Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Sami Khedira and more recently, Caseimiro.
The young Basque is not getting enough playing time to prove his worth and might have to wait for next season at least to impress the coach.
4. Erik Lamela – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham sold Gareth Bale for world record fee during the summer and was expected to make wise investment. However, they have made very poor decisions to say the least. And signing of Lamela has been such a disappointment that he might be loaned out in January.
He has so far shown that he is not the man. Still only 21, it might take just be him trying to adapt to the Premier League, but Spurs need him to adapt a lot quicker if they are to save any hope of getting into Europe this year.
3. Stefan Jovetic – Manchester City
The Montenegrin has only played five times since his 27 million move from Fiorentina. A combination of injuries and the excellent form of Sergio Aguero and fellow new arrival Alvaro Negredo has meant that he has struggled to even make the bench for City this season.
The transfer is so far a disappointment especially considering the budget involved in it.
2. Alessandro Matri ai??i?? AC Milan
Milan was in dire need of funds during the summer and had to avoid spending on other areas of concern like defense and midfield. However, they spent 12 millions on mediocre striker, Juventus flop Alessandro Matri. Result: 1 goal in 14
appearances.
1. Marouane Fellaini – Manchester United
Manchester United made only one noteworthy signing of Marouane Fellaini in summer. Moyes went to his old club, Everton, and sign one of their key men in Fellaini. However, it has to be concluded that Fellaini is one of the reasons why United are having such a poor season.
United didn’tAi??particularlyAi??need Fellaini. They required wingers or a creative central midfielder much more, which is why splashing 34 millions on a player who is commonly referred as ‘Not of United class’ makes the Belgian the biggest of the summer.
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