For every transformative signing like Eric Cantona or Virgil van Dijk, there are dozens of moves that fall flat. Whether due to poor form, injuries, bad fits, or simply inflated expectations, some players just don’t deliver.
Based on performances, price tags, and impact (or lack thereof), these are the 14 worst signings of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
14. Ferdi Kadioglu – Brighton
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Brighton gambled on the versatile Turkish full-back, but it never paid off. Kadioglu couldn’t find consistency, struggled with injuries, and failed to replicate his form from Fenerbahce. A £25.5 million deal that quickly looked like a mistake.
Skipp was supposed to bring composure and tenacity to Leicester’s midfield. Instead, he looked overwhelmed and sluggish in possession. Spurs pocketed £20 million for him, but his performances left Foxes fans wondering why he was signed at all.
Brereton Diaz had shown flashes at Sheffield United, but his time at Southampton was a total bust. No goals, minimal impact, and more yellow cards than highlights. He was eventually loaned back to the Blades — enough said.
11. Niclas Füllkrug – West Ham United
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After featuring in a Champions League final, Füllkrug’s move to West Ham felt like a step down — and his form mirrored that. Just three league goals and public criticism of teammates turned this into a transfer flop.
10. James Ward-Prowse – Nottingham Forest (loan)
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The set-piece specialist was expected to add leadership and quality to Forest’s midfield. But after a poor start under Nuno Espírito Santo, his loan was cut short in January. He returned to West Ham without making much of a mark.
9. Ilkay Gündogan – Manchester City
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A City legend returned, but without Rodri beside him, Gündogan looked like a shadow of his former self. Though he featured regularly, his influence was far below expectations, especially for a five-time Premier League winner.
De Ligt arrived as a marquee defensive signing, but his start at Old Trafford was filled with inconsistency. Questionable positioning and a lack of sharpness made him more of a liability than a solution.
7. Eddie Nketiah – Crystal Palace
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Nketiah was handed a fresh start with Palace after leaving Arsenal, but he failed to impress. Despite a few cup goals and an FA Cup medal, his league form was underwhelming, and he struggled to secure a regular starting spot.
6. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Chelsea
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Chelsea splashed £30 million on Dewsbury-Hall, but the midfielder barely featured in the league. With stiff competition in midfield, he was reduced to minor European and cup appearances — far from what was envisioned.
5. Joshua Zirkzee – Manchester United
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Zirkzee’s United career began with boos and inconsistency. While he did show some improvement later in the season, his output remained low, and fans were left hoping for more from the young Dutch forward.
Once an England regular, Phillips looked like a player stripped of confidence at Ipswich. He struggled to influence games, and his decline since joining Manchester City has only continued. His future remains unclear.
3. Raheem Sterling – Arsenal (loan)
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A change of scenery didn’t help Sterling, who failed to revive his career at Arsenal. Limited minutes, one goal, and two assists weren’t enough to justify his role, even during an injury crisis in the Gunners’ attack.
2. Federico Chiesa – Liverpool
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On paper, £13 million for Chiesa looked like a bargain. In reality, it was a disaster. Hampered by injuries, the Italian winger barely played and added no value as Salah’s backup. Liverpool’s scouting rarely misses — this time, it did.
1. Joao Felix – Chelsea
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Chelsea needed a striker. They signed Joao Felix — again. The Portuguese talent failed to fit into the system and was loaned to AC Milan mid-season, where he also struggled. Another costly and baffling move in Chelsea’s endless transfer carousel.
