20 Worst Premier League Signings of All Time
The Premier League is known for jaw-dropping transfer fees, dramatic deadline-day moves, and blockbuster signings. But not every splashy deal ends in glory. For every star that lights up the league, there's another who fades fast—dragged down by injuries, poor form, or the crushing weight of expectation.
In this countdown, we take a closer look at 20 of the worst signings in Premier League history. Whether it was a record-breaking fee gone wrong, a player who barely made it onto the pitch, or a bizarre hoax that somehow made it to matchday, these transfers left fans scratching their heads and clubs counting their losses.
Ranked by price, performance, impact, and sheer disappointment, here are the top 20 flops—starting from the merely forgettable and ending with the truly infamous.
20. Eric Djemba-Djemba
Signed by Manchester United in 2003, Djemba-Djemba was once thought to be the heir to Roy Keane. At just 21, expectations were high—but he never came close. In two years, he made only 20 appearances and failed to register a single goal or assist. Teammate Rio Ferdinand summed it up best: “He’s a nice guy, man.” That’s about all anyone remembers.
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Time at club: 2 years
Games: 20
Goals/Assists: 0/0
19. Davy Klaassen
Everton’s £23.6 million move for Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen in 2017 turned sour quickly. Despite his technical pedigree, Klaassen started just three league matches. By the following summer, he was gone—joining Werder Bremen. He later showed his quality at Inter Milan and back at Ajax, but it was never evident at Goodison Park.
Time at club: 1 year
Games: 7
Goals/Assists: 0/0
18. Wesley Fofana
Fofana had potential but came to Chelsea with a worrying injury record. Despite a £75 million price tag—making him one of the most expensive defenders ever—he’s barely been fit. Since joining in 2022, he's made only 32 appearances. A classic case of talent overshadowed by fragility.
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Time at club: 2022–present
Games: 32
Goals/Clean sheets: 2/10
17. Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish became the most expensive British player ever when Manchester City signed him for £100 million in 2021. While he played a role in City’s treble, his goal return has been underwhelming. With only four league goals across the last two seasons, his impact hasn’t matched the hype—or the fee.
Time at club: 4 years
Games: 157
Goals/Assists: 17/23
16. Nicolas Pépé
Arsenal broke the bank with £72 million for Nicolas Pépé in 2019, expecting a game-changer. Instead, the Ivorian winger was inconsistent and never quite fit into Mikel Arteta’s plans. Despite scoring 16 league goals, he failed to justify the fee or cement a starting spot.
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Time at club: 3 years
Games: 80
Goals/Assists: 16/9
15. Jack Rodwell
At Sunderland, Rodwell became the poster child for wasted money. Despite earning up to £70,000 per week, he barely featured as the club dropped from the Premier League to League One. His spell was so infamous it was featured in Sunderland ’Til I Die. A symbol of a club in freefall.
Time at club: 4 years
Games: 67
Goals/Assists: 5/1
14. Ángel Di María
A marquee £67.5 million move from Real Madrid to Manchester United turned into a disaster. Di María started well but faded after injury and off-pitch issues—including a traumatic attempted burglary. He later admitted he didn’t even want to join the club. Within a year, he was off to PSG.
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Time at club: 1 year
Games: 27
Goals/Assists: 3/9
13. Tanguy Ndombele
Tottenham’s record £63 million signing in 2019, Ndombele had the talent but not the attitude. Criticised for his work ethic, he was loaned out multiple times. Eventually released without a fee, he now plays for Nice. A costly mistake Spurs won’t forget anytime soon.
Time at club: 5 years
Games: 91
Goals/Assists: 10/9
12. Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea made Kepa the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in 2018 at £71.8 million. He never lived up to the price. His most famous moment? Refusing to be subbed in a cup final. Inconsistency plagued his tenure, and he was later loaned out. One of the costliest keeper experiments in history.
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Time at club: 2018–present
Games: 109
Clean sheets: 35
11. Andriy Shevchenko
A global star at AC Milan, Shevchenko arrived at Chelsea for £39.5 million in 2006—a British record at the time. He never settled, failed to displace Didier Drogba, and scored just nine goals. A stunning fall from grace for a once-lethal forward.
Time at club: 3 years
Games: 48
Goals: 9
10. Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku returned to Chelsea in 2021 for £97.5 million—only to fall out with the club within months. After a controversial interview and poor performances, he was loaned out to Inter Milan and Roma. A financial and PR disaster, his second Chelsea stint is one they'd rather erase.
9. Alexis Sánchez
Swapping Arsenal for Manchester United in 2018, Sánchez was the highest-paid player in the league. But he looked lost at Old Trafford. In 45 games, he scored just 5 times. His decline was so steep that even United fans forgot he ever played there.
8. Danny Drinkwater
After winning the league with Leicester, Drinkwater moved to Chelsea for £35 million. He made just 12 league appearances and was loaned out repeatedly. Eventually released in 2022, his Chelsea career was a complete non-starter.
7. Bebe
Signed by Manchester United in 2010 for £7.4 million, Bebe was famously a player Sir Alex Ferguson never even saw play. And it showed. He made just two league appearances. One of the strangest signings in modern football history.
6. Harry Maguire
Maguire became the world’s most expensive defender in 2019 when Man United paid £80 million. Although he started strong, a series of high-profile errors made him a target for fans and pundits. Stripped of the captaincy and often benched, his fee now looks outrageous.
5. Fernando Torres
Torres left Liverpool for Chelsea in a £50 million move in 2011. While he had moments—most notably his goal against Barcelona—his Premier League form never returned. A once-feared striker became a shadow of himself.
4. Mario Balotelli
Liverpool took a £16 million punt on Balotelli in 2014 to replace Luis Suárez. It went terribly. He scored just once in the league, clashed with coaches, and was sent back to Milan a year later. Talent wasted through attitude.
3. Andy Carroll
Liverpool splurged £35 million on Carroll in 2011. Injuries and inconsistency saw him struggle to fit the team's style. He managed just six league goals before being sold. A costly panic buy after Torres left.
2. Eliaquim Mangala
Manchester City paid £42 million for Mangala in 2014. He never looked comfortable in the Premier League and was loaned out multiple times. City quietly let his contract run down, a forgotten man despite the huge investment.
1. Ali Dia
The undisputed worst Premier League signing. In 1996, Southampton brought in Ali Dia after a hoax phone call claiming he was George Weah’s cousin. He played 53 minutes, looked totally out of his depth, and was never seen again. It’s become football folklore—and a lesson in due diligence.
