The English Premier League is a hot topic of conversation around our office during the season and while we’re a pretty diverse group with both Manchester sides and Chelsea represented, we all have a soft spot for the scoring exploits of Mo Salah at Liverpool this season.
Both of the Manchester clubs dominated the EPL transfer market again this season with the blue half of Manchester coming out on top.
There were some transfer masterstrokes from Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp and there were some buys that some managers wished they had swiped right on as some signings on the list cost managers their jobs and their clubs a place in the top flight.
This is by no means a complete list, but take a look at the transfer flops that helped their club’s EPL hopes to go down the drain.
Joe Hart – West Ham (Loan)
There was a time when Joe Hart was considered to be one of the best keepers in the EPL, sadly the 2018 season wasn’t that time. It’s been a rocky 12 months and after failing to make the grade under Pep Guardiola, the former England international spent his second spell on loan at West Ham. Hart’s stint in London was a disaster, conceding 39 goals in 19 games, leading to him being dropped. West Ham’s decline along with Hart’s form means the former England keeper will be watching the World Cup from his loungeroom after failing to make the cut in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGUFVgnrdz0
Renato Sanches – Swansea City (Loan)
Two years ago, Sanches was on par with Paul Pogba and won the 2016 Golden Boy award after a dazzling display at the 2016 Euros. Sanches moved to Wales in a bid to get some more game time and his arrival was meant to help Swansea reach a new level in the Premier League. After being heralded as one of the best young players of his generation, the Portuguese starlet’s chances of making the World Cup nose-dived with Swansea’s relegation to the Championship.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – Chelsea
The Chelsea midfielder was meant to ease the pain of Nemanja Matic’s signing for Manchester United. The French star came to the EPL with an excellent reputation after helping Monaco to the French Ligue 1 title, but he has fallen down the order behind Danny Drinkwater. With Chelsea expected to be looking for a new manager in Summer, expect the French midfielder to become transfer fodder for some new Chelsea signings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFLUOYEUxn8
Jese – Stoke City (Loan)
You would expect a player that has come through the system at Real Madrid and come to a club on loan from PSG would be able to lead the line for a club like Stoke. After opening account against Arsenal in his first game, things fell apart quickly, and the Spanish playmaker struggled to play ninety minutes a game. With the Potters staring at the reality of a season in the Championship, it’s safe to say that Jese won’t be missed by Potters fans.
Wilfried Bony – Swansea
Wilfried Bony‘s return to Swansea was seen as a signal that Swansea were serious about challenging the big four in the Premier League. The Ivory Coast striker will be on his way out the door as he is unlikely to stick around for a season in the Championship.
Oliver Burke – West Brom
The Scottish winger was signed from RB Leipzig with the intention of bolstering West Brom’s attacking option. The youngster struggled for game time and couldn’t crack Alan Pardew’s starting line-up. Expect Burke to be back in the top-flight at some point, just not at West Brom.
Kevin Wimmer – Stoke
This transfer makes Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy look like a Bond villain. The Belgium defender was signed by Stoke for four times his transfer value and was a passenger in Stoke’s fight to avoid relegation. Wimmer struggled in the top flight as part of a defence that conceded goals at will in seventeen appearances for the Potters this season.
Guido Carrillo – Southampton
The striker was signed from Monaco in the off-season and managed seven appearances for the Saints this season without scoring a goal.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – Everton
The Icelandic playmaker was signed for £45 million from Swansea and struggled to replicate the form that made him a household name in Wales. Sigurdsson struggled alongside Wayne Rooney for a return of only four goals this season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLHuCxdnuYM
Ross Barkley – Chelsea
Ross Barkley was hoping to revive his chances of making the England World Cup squad this season with his move to London to join Chelsea. The former Everton golden-boy struggled to crack Antonio Conte’s first choice side and fell down the pecking order at the Blues. Barkley looked lost at times this season and will be hoping to rebound with a stronger performance next season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chMAdBttDDI