BIG-money transfers – remember them?
Before coronavirus, some clubs chucked cash around like it was confetti.
In the last two seasons alone, THREE players have cost their clubs over £100million as the evolution of transfer fees continues to border the obscene.
Some, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, have been worth every penny, but some haven’t fared as well.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the ten most expensive signings since the summer of 2018 and how they’ve coped with the pressure, counting down from ten to one…
10. FRENKIE DE JONG
Frenkie De Jong has failed to replicate his Ajax form at Barcelona
July 2019 – Ajax to Barcelona: £65.4million
PART of the young, exciting Ajax team to dump Real Madrid out of the Champions League in 2018-19, massive things were expected of De Jong at Barcelona.
The Dutch youngster starred alongside the likes of Matthijs De Ligt and Hakim Ziyech, with the very heart of that team now in tatters after being raided by Europe’s elite.
But it has gone wrong for De Jong, who has struggled to live up to the billing at the Nou Camp scoring twice and adding just two assists in 26 LaLiga games.
He’s goalless and without even a single assist in seven Champions League games, too.
Time is on his side, but for now De Jong’s foray into Spanish football has been thoroughly underwhelming.
VERDICT: Miss
9. LUCAS HERNANDEZ
Lucas Hernandez has been a hit at Bayern Munich this term
July 2019 – Atletico Madrid to Bayern Munich: £68m
THE French ace got off to a flying start for the Bundesliga champions, before injury sorely hampered his progress.
Hernandez missed over three months with ankle ligament damage sustained in a Champions League game against Olympiacos.
But he quickly broke back into the first-team on his return, starring across Bayern’s back four – sometimes in the heart of defence and sometimes on the left.
While his progress at left-back may be halted by the emergence of wonderkid Alphonso Davies, he’s likely to play a huge role in Munich as a centre-back for years to come.
VERDICT: Hit
8. NICOLAS PEPE
Nicolas Pepe has struggled to live up to his £72m price tag
July 2019 – Lille to Arsenal: £72m
GUNNERS fans believed they’d signed the next Lionel Messi after completing a bizarre £72m move for Pepe – which required a payment of just £20m up front.
But the flying winger has looked a shell of his former self in North London with his only highlight coming in the Europa League clash with Vitoria Guimaraes.
The Ivorian came off the bench to score two late free-kicks and snatch an unlikely 3-2 at the Emirates that night.
Other than that, it’s been a tough year for Pepe – who recently landed himself in trouble with Arsenal chiefs after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules with a kickabout at a local London park.
VERDICT: Miss
7. ROMELU LUKAKU
Romelu Lukaku has been on-fire in Italy this season
August 2019 – Man Utd to Inter Milan – £73m
AFTER massively falling out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Lukaku moved to Italy for a new lease of life.
The Belgian has scored 17 times in just 25 Serie A games, while netting twice in five Champions League games to boot.
Lukaku has arguably been one of the best value signings of the season, despite the £73m tag.
His electric start to life in Italy sparked something of a trend too, with fellow Premier League flops Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young also heading to Serie A.
VERDICT: Hit
6. HARRY MAGUIRE
Harry Maguire has been a rock at the back for Man Utd
August 2019 – Leicester to Man Utd – £85m
MAN UTD knew they desperately needed defensive reinforcements last summer and turned to Leicester and England star “Slabhead”.
Maguire cost a staggering £85m, but for the most-part he’s brought a sense of calm to a back four previously all-at-sea.
If it hadn’t been for David De Gea’s shaky form, Maguire’s stats might have looked a little better this season, too.
Solskjaer is now in the market for another centre-back to join the Three Lions star, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Dayot Upamecano targeted.
VERDICT: Hit
5. EDEN HAZARD
Eden Hazard has struggled mightily at Real Madrid
June 2019 – Chelsea to Real Madrid – £88m
BLUES supporters were left heartbroken after their star man finally quit the club last summer.
But they may not feel too bitter about it now, with the Belgian admitting he’s had weight issues this season – as well as struggling for form and with injuries.
Hazard has looked a shadow of his Chelsea self, while the Blues have picked up a host of talented wingers since his departure.
The Blues now have Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech on the books, joining Callum Hudson-Odoi in a young arsenal of flying forwards at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard on the other hand has scored just once in only ten LaLiga games all season at the Bernabeu…
VERDICT: Miss
4. CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo has been superb for Juventus – and Real have missed him
July 2018 – Real Madrid to Juventus – £99m
REAL MADRID haven’t been the same since Ronaldo quit the club and moved to Italy nearly two years ago.
Despite his advancing years, £99m still seems a steal for a player of his quality – and evergreen fitness, too.
Ronaldo has scored 53 times in just 75 games for Juventus, including 42 goals in just 53 Serie A outings.
He already has one league title in Italy to his name, to boot…
VERDICT: Hit
3. ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
Antoine Griezmann has failed to find his top form at Barcelona
July 2019 – Atletico Madrid to Barcelona – £107.6m
THE French star finally quit Atleti last summer after years of speculation in a mega-money deal.
Griezmann was supposed to link up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to forge the most devastating front three in world football.
But the 2018 World Cup winner has mustered just eight goals in 26 LaLiga games this season after struggling to settle down at the Nou Camp.
In fact, his form was so bad at one stage he has been replaced in the starting XI at various times by flop Ousmane Dembele and teenager Ansu Fati.
VERDICT: Miss
2. JOAO FELIX
Joao Felix has failed to reach his best since moving to Atleti
July 2019: Benfica to Atletico Madrid – £112m
NOT long ago, Felix was the most-highly sought-after star in world football after bursting on to the scene with Benfica.
His Europa League hat-trick against Frankfurt while still a teenager ensured there would always be a battle for his signature.
Flush with cash from their deal to sell Grizemann, Atletico were willing to pay a monster sum to land Felix.
It’s not quite worked out for the young forward just yet, though – having scored just four times all season in LaLiga.
VERDICT: Miss
1. KYLIAN MBAPPE
Kylian Mbappe has established himself as one of the world’s best since moving to PSG
June 2018: Monaco to PSG – £162m
THERE isn’t a single team on the planet that wouldn’t be improved by having Mbappe in their squad.
The French youngster has been sensational for PSG since quitting Monaco on a permanent deal in 2018.
All in all, including his loan spell, Mbappe has scored 90 times in just 120 games in the French capital. including 64 Ligue 1 goals in just 76 matches.
Still only 21 years old, there’s little wonder the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool have come knocking…
VERDICT: Hit
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
