Top 7 Big Signings With Terrible Starts At Their New Clubs

In the high-stakes world of football transfers, mega signings often come with sky-high expectations.

However, not all big-money moves result in immediate success. Let’s take a closer look at some high-profile signings who endured rocky starts at their new clubs:

7. Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

Fernando Torres’s move to Chelsea for a British record fee of £50 million initially failed to yield dividends. The Spanish striker endured a barren spell, taking 13 games to score his first goal for the club. Despite his struggles, Torres eventually found redemption with key goals in subsequent seasons.

6. Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)

Mario Balotelli’s move to Liverpool for £16 million raised eyebrows, but the Italian striker failed to make an impact in his debut season. Balotelli struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just one goal in 16 Premier League games. His time at Liverpool was characterized by disappointment and frustration.

5. Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)

Following a marquee transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid for a potential €146 million, Eden Hazard faced immense pressure to deliver. However, injuries and inconsistent form hampered his debut season, with Hazard managing just one goal in 22 appearances. The Belgian star fell short of expectations set by his hefty price tag.

4. Richarlison (Everton)

Richarlison’s move to Everton for a substantial fee showcased the club’s ambition, but the Brazilian forward initially struggled to find his scoring touch. It took Richarlison until late in the season to score his first Premier League goal for Everton, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new environment.

3. Joelinton (Newcastle United)

Joelinton’s arrival at Newcastle United for a club-record fee of £40 million generated significant excitement. However, the Brazilian striker endured a difficult start, scoring just one goal in his first 29 games and only two goals in his entire debut season. Despite the initial struggles, Joelinton has since shown signs of improvement.

2. Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)

Signed by Bayern Munich for a potential €80 million fee after an impressive breakthrough season at Benfica, Sanches failed to live up to expectations in his debut campaign. Despite being hailed as one of Europe’s brightest talents, Sanches struggled to adapt to a new league and culture, leading to underwhelming performances at Bayern.

1. Luka Jovic (Real Madrid)

Jovic arrived at Real Madrid with a hefty price tag of €60 million after a prolific season at Eintracht Frankfurt. However, the Serbian striker struggled to replicate his Bundesliga form in Spain, managing just one goal in his first 20 games and only two goals in his entire debut campaign. Eventually, Jovic returned to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan to rediscover his scoring touch.

While these players faced adversity early in their respective careers at new clubs, some went on to redeem themselves and enjoy success. Their experiences serve as a reminder that adaptation to new surroundings and expectations can be challenging, even for the most talented footballers.