Top 10+ Premier League flops who didn’t live up to the hype

More hype than impact

Not every footballer with a big price tag or media buzz turns out to be a game-changer. Some fail to justify the attention they receive. From highly anticipated signings to so-called generational talents, the Premier League has witnessed a number of players who didn’t quite live up to their reputations — and those are the ones we’re focusing on now.

Andriy Shevchenko

Shevchenko arrived at Chelsea in 2006 for a then-British record fee of £30 million (€35.7 million / $39.6 million), fresh off a prolific spell at AC Milan, where he won the Ballon d'Or. Expectations were sky-high as he was seen as the final piece in Roman Abramovich's Champions League ambitions.

Ángel Di María

In 2014, Manchester United shattered the British transfer record to sign Ángel Di María. Fresh from helping Real Madrid lift the Champions League, his arrival was seen as a turning point for United post-Ferguson. His early performances hinted at brilliance, including a stunning chip against Leicester City.

Missed chance

But the spark quickly faded. Di María struggled with form, fitness, and life in England — and reportedly never settled off the pitch. After just one turbulent season, he was sold to PSG, leaving behind a sense of "what could have been" at Old Trafford.

Robinho

Robinho’s 2008 deadline-day arrival at Manchester City was a shock — and a statement of intent from the club’s new Abu Dhabi-based owners. Signed from Real Madrid, he became City’s first real superstar signing. His debut season started brightly, with 14 league goals (per Transfermarkt) and flair to match the hype.

Fizzled fast

Despite early promise, Robinho’s form dropped sharply in his second season, plagued by injuries and questionable commitment. His style never quite meshed with the Premier League’s demands. By the time he left, his stint was remembered more for its symbolism than substance — the first star of City’s revolution, who couldn’t keep up with the project.

Shaun Wright-Phillips

According to Transfermarkt, Shaun Wright-Phillips cost Chelsea £25 million (€31.5 million / $33.5 million) when he moved from Manchester City in 2005. Despite being a regular England international, he didn't produce one bit for José Mourinho's side.

Poor record

In 81 Premier League appearances, in three full seasons, Wright-Phillips scored four goals and was sold back to Manchester City for over half the price in 2008. Despite having a 15-year Premier League career, Wright-Phillips scored more than five goals only twice in a season.

Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris was celebrated as a world-class goalkeeper for years at Tottenham Hotspur. The former French international played 12 years at Spurs, never making a Team of the Year, and never winning a Golden Glove.

Jack Wilshere

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was tipped to become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He made his debut for the Gunners at 16 years and 256 days. This is as much a case of 'what could have been' as anything, with Wilshere's career getting derailed due to injury time and time again.

Injuries

Injuries seriously derailed Wilshere's footballing career, managing to play 182 games in the Premier League and scoring eight goals, according to Transfermarkt. He retired from football at the age of 30.

Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba was a brilliant player in his heyday. However, after becoming one of the most expensive transfers in Premier League history, Pogba didn't produce the goods you might expect when forking out £93 million (€108 million / $116 million).

Inconsistent

According to the Peakd website, Pogba grabbed 29 goals and provided 38 assists in 157 Premier League games, but his performances were far too inconsistent, winning only the EFL Cup and the Europa League. He went back to Juventus on a free and is currently a free agent following a doping ban.

Juan Sebastián Verón

Signed for a record transfer fee of £28 million (€32 million / $35 million) in 2001 by Manchester United, Verón flopped terribly for United and was sold to Chelsea just two seasons after joining for a record fee.

Struggles

He left United after struggling to displace the likes of David Beckham, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, who were all playing in their primes. Things didn't improve for the Argentinian in London: he played only 14 games for Chelsea and scored one goal, per Transfermarkt.

Joe Cole

According to the Peakd website, Joe Cole was supposed to be the 'Next Gazza', but with all the skill, flair and dribbling, Cole never fully reached his potential in Chelsea's domination under José Mourinho.

Forced out wide

Despite winning three Premier League titles and an FA Cup, Cole's career was riddled with injuries. His injuries worsened his creative spark, forcing Mourinho to play him out wide and not in his preferred attacking midfield role.

Owen Hargreaves

One of the disappointing signings of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, midfielder Owen Hargreaves was tasked with taking over Roy Keane's position in the Manchester United midfield. However, he could hardly ever play.

28 games

Hargreaves joined United for £17 million (€19.5 million / $21 million) in 2007, but he managed only 28 games in four seasons before retiring because of his injury struggles. He played more games for England (42) than for United.