The transfer window concluded with a frantic deadline day that saw many of the top European sides make a number of late buys to bolster their side for the 2016/17 season.
As many expected, Premier League sides were extremely busy on the 31st of August in sealing last minute buys or getting rid of unwanted players. London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea roped in two players on the final day of the window, while Bournemouth, Hull City and Sunderland too, were linked with a host of names on deadline day.
Here are the three worst signings, according to TheHardTackle from the final day of the market:
David Luiz (Chelsea)
David Luiz may be a household name among Chelsea fans, but he certainly was not a good signing for the Blues on deadline day. After being unsuccessful in signing a quality centre-back all summer, Antonio Conte and the Chelsea board decided to bring back the PSG defender to Stamford Bridge.
Luiz moved to PSG from Chelsea in the summer of 2013 for a commendable sum of £50 million – making him the world’s costliest defender. At the point, it seemed good business for both parties as the Brazilian looked to be nearing his peak.
But since moving to Paris, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the 29-year-old. Yes, he was a regular in the PSG setup, but given the quality of teams in the Ligue 1, the Brazilian was never put to real test.
However, in the Champions League games, Luiz looked like a shadow of his old self and made costly defensive errors time and again to his team’s undoing. Even at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he was a part of the defence that shipped in a total of seven goals against the Germans.
While Luiz may be a confident figure with the ball going forward, he seems everything but that at the back. Given Conte’s plans of playing a three-man defence, a lot will be expected from Luiz, and it’s uncertain whether he will manage to deliver.
Also, he has been accustomed to an easier league and a different style of play so it could take him time to re-adapt to life in England’s top tier.
Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham Hotspur)
Ever since Newcastle’s relegation from the top flight, Moussa Sissoko has been linked with a move away from St. James’ Park. The Frenchman was arguably the Magpies’ star performer among an under-performing bunch. Thus, for the player moving to a Premier League side that finished in the top four is a great move.
For Tottenham Hotspur, however, signing Sissoko makes no sense. Not only did they shell out an unnecessary £30 million for the player, but they also brought in someone who would not be an upgrade to the current crop of players.
Predominantly a central midfielder, Sissoko is equally influential down the wings. Eriksen and Lamela have been doing a fairly decent job for Spurs this season and will get better as the season progresses.
If he is signed to fill in a deeper position, Eric Dier has been doing a great job mopping things up at the heart of midfield. Youngster Harry Winks has also been showing tremendous promise, and could deputise for the Englishman.
In the second midfield position, Moussa Dembele is the obvious choice. The box-to-box Belgian played a pivotal role in guiding Spurs to a third placed finish last season and is undeniably the ideal man for the role.
New signing Victor Wanyama will play second fiddle to him, and due to Dembele’s injury, Wanyama has started in all three of Spurs’ league games this season.
Thus, Mauricio Pochettino has spent a pound too many on a player who will not have too much of an impact on his side.
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Marcos Alonso seems to be one of those defenders that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had to settle on. The Fiorentina full-back was never Conte’s priority transfer target, but given his desperation to sign a defender, the Italian side demanded £24m for the player’s services.
The Spanish left-back had a brief spell at Real Madrid where he made only a solitary appearance. In fact, his debut lasted only for a brief spell of five minutes as he was brought on as an 89th minute substitute against Racing Santander.
He also spent three years on loan at Bolton, but could only manage to make a total of 35 appearances during his time at the Macron Stadium. Even in his brief stint at Sunderland, Alonso did very little to prove his credentials.
Aged 25, the new Chelsea signing is still to be capped for his country. Thus it seems that spending a sum of £24 million seems to be nothing more than a panic buy. Conte would be hoping that Alonso can up the ante at Stamford Bridge, but all the signs suggest otherwise.
