The worst Premier League signings of 2025/26 so far

March 24, 2026 Oliver Obel

The 2025/26 Premier League season has delivered plenty of excitement, but not every transfer has gone to plan. While some new arrivals have thrived under the spotlight, others have struggled to justify their price tags and reputations. With expectations higher than ever, especially for big-money signings, underperformance is quickly scrutinised. Injuries, tactical mismatches and poor form have all played a role in shaping disappointing campaigns. Here, we take a closer look at the 12 worst signings of the season so far, starting from 12th and counting down to the most underwhelming arrival.

12. Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United)

Nick Woltemade initially looked like a clever piece of business for Newcastle, especially after a promising start at St James’ Park. His early performances suggested he could fill the void left by Alexander Isak, offering both finishing and link-up play. However, his form has tailed off significantly in recent months, with a prolonged goal drought raising concerns. The German forward has struggled physically against Premier League defenders, often being outmuscled in key moments. A positional shift into midfield hasn’t helped his case either, leaving questions about how he best fits into Eddie Howe’s system.

11. James Trafford (Manchester City)

James Trafford’s return to Manchester City was supposed to mark the next step in his development, but it has instead stalled his progress. After making a few early errors, Pep Guardiola quickly moved to bring in Gianluigi Donnarumma, pushing Trafford down the pecking order. Opportunities have been scarce ever since, limiting his chances to regain confidence. For a goalkeeper who had strong interest from multiple clubs, the decision now looks questionable. Sitting on the bench was never part of the plan when he made the move.

10. James McAtee (Nottingham Forest)

James McAtee arrived at Nottingham Forest with a growing reputation as one of Manchester City’s most promising young talents. Many expected him to flourish with regular minutes, particularly in an attacking midfield role. Instead, he has struggled to make any real impact in a team fighting near the bottom of the table. Even when given opportunities, McAtee has failed to influence games or provide attacking output. His lack of goals and assists highlights just how difficult the transition has been.

9. Harvey Elliott (Aston Villa – Loan)

Harvey Elliott’s loan move to Aston Villa was meant to give him the consistent game time he had been missing at Liverpool. With Villa coming off a strong campaign, the environment seemed ideal for him to develop further. However, he has barely featured under Unai Emery, making only a handful of appearances. The lack of trust from the manager has effectively ended any hopes of a permanent move. It’s a situation that hasn’t benefited either the player or the club.

8. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)

Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool with enormous expectations following his £116 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. Widely regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents, many expected him to hit the ground running. Instead, he has endured a slow and inconsistent start to life in England. Adapting to Arne Slot’s system has taken time, and his influence in games has often been limited. While there have been flashes of quality, his overall output has fallen short of what was anticipated.

7. Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham fans were excited by the arrival of Xavi Simons, particularly given his reputation and sizeable transfer fee. The Dutch midfielder was expected to add creativity and dynamism to the side. However, he has struggled with the physicality and tempo of the Premier League. Too often, he has gone missing in matches where Spurs needed him to take control. Although the team’s overall attacking issues haven’t helped, Simons has yet to show the consistency required.

6. Jamie Gittens (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s signing of Jamie Gittens was another example of their strategy of investing in young, high-potential players. Brought in for a fee that could rise significantly, expectations were naturally high. So far, though, he has looked raw and short on end product. His lack of goals and limited assists underline the challenges he faces at this level. There is still time for him to develop, but the early signs have been underwhelming.

5. Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea)

Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Chelsea raised eyebrows, particularly given his potential and previous flashes at Manchester United. While he has contributed a goal and a few assists, his performances have been inconsistent. Fans have grown frustrated with his decision-making and inability to influence games regularly. Recent displays have only added to the criticism, with some labelling him a major disappointment. For a player of his profile, more was expected.

4. Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)

Yoane Wissa arrived at Newcastle off the back of an excellent season with Brentford, where he had proven himself as a reliable goal scorer. Unfortunately, injuries have disrupted his campaign from the outset. Even when available, he has struggled to find rhythm and confidence. With just one goal in his appearances so far, he has fallen down the attacking pecking order. Given his age and transfer fee, the move already looks like a costly misstep.

3. Liam Delap (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s decision to sign Liam Delap was met with some scepticism, particularly given their existing attacking options. While he offers a physical presence up front, his overall impact has been minimal. Injuries have played a role, but even when fit, he has failed to deliver consistently. His return of just one goal and one assist highlights his struggles. For a player brought in to add depth and competition, he has not met expectations.

2. Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United)

Anthony Elanga’s move to Newcastle came after an impressive season at Nottingham Forest, where he established himself as a dangerous winger. Expectations were high that he would continue that form on Tyneside. Instead, his performances have dipped significantly, with a lack of goals and creativity. Despite regular appearances, he has struggled to make a meaningful impact. For the fee paid, Newcastle would have expected far more from the Swedish international.

1. Alexander Isak (Liverpool)

Alexander Isak’s big-money move to Liverpool was one of the headline transfers of the summer. After his success at Newcastle, he was expected to lead the line at Anfield with authority. However, injuries have severely disrupted his season, preventing him from building momentum. Even when available, he has struggled to impose himself consistently. For a British record signing, the return so far has been deeply disappointing, making him the most underwhelming signing of the campaign.