From Salah to Oblak, here are the players who were once doubted — but ended up defining eras at their clubs.
Here’s a look at 8 players who turned early criticism into iconic careers.
1. Raphinha – Barcelona
When FC Barcelona paid €58 million to Leeds United in 2022 for Raphinha, the fans were baffled. The club was drowning in debt, and his first season didn’t help. The backlash was real—so much so that fans begged the club to sell him in 2024. Today? Raphinha is second only to Lamine Yamal in fan popularity. From almost unwanted to untouchable, Raphinha’s turnaround has been spectacular.
2. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Signed from AS Roma in 2017 for £36.3 million, Liverpool FC fans and pundits questioned the move. Salah was seen as a Chelsea reject, and some even said he was worse than Daniel Sturridge. Fast forward, Salah is now in the Premier League’s top 5 goalscorers of all time and third-highest in Liverpool history. Doubters? Silenced.
3. Didier Drogba – Chelsea
In 2004, Chelsea FC paid £24 million for a 26-year-old from Olympique de Marseille. Fans were furious, especially when Mourinho let go of fan-favorite Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. But Drogba turned out to be the ultimate big-game player, leading Chelsea to multiple titles and etching his name into Premier League folklore.
4. Cole Palmer – Chelsea
Chelsea paid £45 million in 2023 to lure Palmer from Manchester City. Fans scoffed at the idea of spending that much on an unproven youngster. But Palmer quickly proved himself to be a genius signing. With flair, creativity, and maturity beyond his years, he’s now one of Chelsea’s brightest stars.
5. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
Speaking of KDB, he was once deemed a Premier League failure after flopping at Chelsea. When Man City signed him from VfL Wolfsburg for €75 million, even Paul Merson mocked the move on TV. Now? He’s arguably the greatest Premier League midfielder of his generation. That price looks like a steal in hindsight.
6. Kai Havertz – Arsenal
Signed by Chelsea in 2020 for £71 million, Havertz was inconsistent and seen as a disappointment despite delivering the club a Champions League. In 2023, Arsenal picked him up for £65 million, which many called a mistake. But Havertz has since become a crucial cog in Arteta’s machine—proving his critics wrong once again.
7. Joelinton – Newcastle United
When Newcastle United signed Joelinton for £40 million in 2019, even manager Rafa Benitez was unsure. He didn’t want the signing, and the fans weren’t convinced either. Fast forward to 2025, and under Eddie Howe, Joelinton has reinvented himself as a powerhouse midfielder, earning widespread respect.
8. Jan Oblak – Atlético Madrid
Atlético de Madrid signed the 21-year-old Slovenian from Benfica for €16 million in 2014 — a record fee for a goalkeeper in Spain. He’s since become a legend, winning the most Zamora Trophies (LaLiga’s Golden Glove) in history and cementing his legacy as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world.
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