From Bundesliga Stars to Premier League Flops: The 13 Biggest Disappointments
The Bundesliga has produced some of the world’s best talents, but not every star from Germany’s top flight has found success in the Premier League. While some players have seamlessly adapted to the English game, others have struggled with the league’s pace, physicality, and tactical demands.
Many Bundesliga imports arrive with high expectations, often carrying hefty price tags. However, as history has shown, a stellar career in Germany doesn’t always translate to success in England. From misfiring forwards to injury-prone midfielders and defensive disasters, several high-profile Bundesliga signings have failed to live up to the hype.
We’ve taken a closer look at some of the biggest flops to make the move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League and ranked them based on their level of disappointment.
13. Abdul Baba Rahman (Augsburg → Chelsea, 2015)
Chelsea paid £14 million for the Ghanaian left-back, but he played only 15 Premier League matches. Injuries and poor form led to a never-ending series of loan moves, and he left the club permanently in 2023 without ever making an impact.
12. Marko Marin (Werder Bremen → Chelsea, 2012)
Nicknamed “the German Messi,” but his Chelsea career was anything but magical. He played only six Premier League games before being loaned out. He became one of the first in Chelsea’s long list of “lost talents.”
11. Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund → Manchester United, 2012)
Kagawa was a key player under Jürgen Klopp at Dortmund, but his time at Manchester United was marked by poor form and tactical issues. After just two seasons, he returned to Germany.
10. Sebastien Haller (Eintracht Frankfurt → West Ham, 2019)
West Ham spent a club-record £45 million, but Haller never fit their playing style. He scored only 14 goals in 54 matches and was sold to Ajax, where he rediscovered his goal-scoring ability.
9. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund → Manchester United, 2016)
After a fantastic season in the Bundesliga, Mkhitaryan was signed for £26 million. Though he had some highlights, including a goal in the Europa League final, he never became a key player and was swapped for Alexis Sánchez.
8. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich → Manchester United, 2015)
Schweinsteiger was one of the world’s best midfielders, but at United, he was slow, injured, and out of form. José Mourinho even demoted him to the U23s before he was sold to MLS.
7. Jean-Kévin Augustin (RB Leipzig → Leeds, 2020)
Possibly the biggest transfer disaster ever. Leeds loaned Augustin from Leipzig with an £18 million obligation to buy if they won promotion. He played just three games, totaling 75 minutes, and left without scoring. Leeds refused to pay, but FIFA forced them to anyway. A financial and sporting disaster.
6. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund → Manchester United, 2021)
After being a superstar in the Bundesliga, Sancho has been a major disappointment at Manchester United. Signed for £73 million, he never lived up to expectations, and after falling out with Erik ten Hag, he was sent back to Dortmund on loan in January 2024.
5. Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund → Chelsea, 2019)
Chelsea spent £58 million on Pulisic, but he was too injury-prone and inconsistent. While he had strong moments, particularly in 2020, he never replaced Eden Hazard and was sold to AC Milan in 2023.
4. Loris Karius (Mainz → Liverpool, 2016)
His disastrous mistakes in the 2018 Champions League final ruined his Liverpool career. After several unsuccessful loan spells, he was eventually released. He was never the goalkeeper Liverpool had hoped for.
3. Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen → Chelsea, 2020)
Despite scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, Havertz was a disappointment. Chelsea paid £72 million for a player who never found his best position. He was sold to Arsenal in 2023, where he still struggles with consistency.
2. Naby Keïta (RB Leipzig → Liverpool, 2018)
Liverpool spent £52.75 million, but Keïta could never stay fit. He showed flashes of quality but was never the dominant midfielder he had been at Leipzig. After five frustrating years, he left Liverpool in 2023.
1. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig → Chelsea, 2020)
The ultimate Bundesliga flop in the Premier League. Chelsea paid £47.5 million for one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, but he became known for missing countless chances. He scored only 10 goals in 56 league games and was sent back to Leipzig after two seasons.
