Failed Signings: Sancho, Werner, and other “smart” moves

Big Signings That Didn’t Succeed: The Other Side of Success in Football

In football, each season brings with it a series of transfers that promise to revolutionize teams and entire leagues. However, not all stellar signings live up to expectations. We analyze some of the most talked-about moves of the last decade that, despite high investments and big promises, did not achieve the desired impact. The transfer market is a complex field, where success is not always guaranteed. Factors such as adaptation to the team, injuries, and the simple unpredictability of the sport can turn a promising player into a disappointment. Below, we explore some notable examples.

2015-16 Season: Schneiderlin and Depay at Manchester United

In the summer of 2015, Manchester United invested in Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, two players with great potential. Schneiderlin, coming from Southampton, was considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Depay, for his part, arrived with the label of a promising young offensive player. Schneiderlin, although he showed flashes of his quality, never managed to establish himself at United. Depay, despite his talent, failed to adapt to the pace and demands of the team. Both players ended up leaving the club in a short period, without leaving a significant mark.

2016-17 Season: Umtiti and Barcelona

Barcelona signed Samuel Umtiti, a promising central defender from Lyon. Umtiti, with his defensive solidity and good ball control, seemed like a safe bet. He won La Liga titles and was a world champion with France in 2018. However, injuries marked his time at the club. Despite his moments of brilliance, constant physical ailments limited his participation, and his performance never met expectations.

2017-18 Season: Iheanacho and Leicester City

In a season marked by big transfers, Leicester City signed Kelechi Iheanacho, a forward with a promising future. Iheanacho, from Manchester City, showed good credentials.

Although Iheanacho had standout moments, his performance at Leicester was not consistent. Despite having a goals and assists per game average worthy of a Champions League player, he was rarely a starter.

2018-19 Season: Keita and Liverpool

Liverpool, in its attempt to build a winning team, signed Naby Keita, a midfielder with great potential. Keita, coming from RB Leipzig, arrived with the reputation of being a complete player. Although he had brilliant moments, recurring injuries prevented Keita from establishing himself in the team. His time at Liverpool was marked by inconsistency and constant absences.

2019-20 Season: Ndombele and Lo Celso at Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur, after their successful season in the Champions League, signed Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, two young midfielders with great potential. Ndombele and Lo Celso arrived to reinforce the midfield. However, neither of them managed to fully adapt to the team. Both players had difficulties fitting into the tactical scheme and did not meet expectations, marking an era of failed decisions at the club.

2020-21 Season: Werner and Chelsea

Chelsea bet on Timo Werner, a German forward with great scoring ability. Werner, signed for a significant sum, arrived to reinforce the attack. Despite winning the Champions League, Werner failed to shine. His lack of adaptation and poor performance made his time at the club disappointing.

2021-22 Season: Sancho and Manchester United

The Manchester United invested in Jadon Sancho, an English winger with a great future ahead. Sancho, with an impressive track record at Borussia Dortmund, arrived with the hope of becoming a star. However, Sancho did not manage to replicate his success at United. His performance was affected by various factors, including a lack of adaptation and off-field problems, which limited his participation and his impact on the team.

2022-23 Season: Gravenberch and Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich signed Ryan Gravenberch, a young midfielder with great potential. Gravenberch, coming from Ajax, was considered a promise of European football. Gravenberch had a discreet season at Bayern, and then moved to Liverpool, where his performance improved. His time at Bayern showed that success in football is not always predictable.

2023-24 Season: Balogun and Monaco

AS Monaco signed Folarin Balogun, a striker with outstanding performance in Ligue 1. Balogun, after a promising season at Stade de Reims, generated high expectations.

Although it’s still early to judge his time at Monaco, Balogun hasn’t achieved the expected impact. Injuries and competition within the team have limited his participation, and his performance has been below expectations.

2024-25 Season: Maatsen and Malen at Aston Villa

Aston Villa added Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen, two players with great potential. Maatsen and Malen joined the team hoping to reinforce key positions. Despite their good statistics, both players have had little participation. The lack of minutes on the field has prevented them from demonstrating their worth, and their future in the club is uncertain.