Premier League clubs spent well in excess of £2 billion in signings in the previous summer transfer window. Chelsea carried on their spending spree, shelling out another £220 million, with Manchester United (£206 million) and Brighton & Hove Albion (£196 million) rounding out the top three.
All in all, nine Premier League clubs spent in excess of £100 million this summer.
However, with such an outlay, there’s always going to be some deals that didn’t pay off or blew up on the faces of their recruiters. Thus, with that in mind, we take a look at the 5 worst Premier League summer signings of the 2024 summer transfer window.
Also read: Premier League: Top 5 Best Summer Signings of 2024
#5 Eddie Nketiah: Crystal Palace FC
A fresh start in a different part of London for Eddie Nketiah is yet to prove fruitful. The former Gunner had plenty of admirers over the summer, but his £30 million move to Crystal Palace has yet to see anything noteworthy take place. So far, the young striker has scored just one goal, in the Carabao Cup, and has failed to lay a glove on Jean-Philippe Mateta’s starting berth, with zero goal contributions from six Premier League starts.
On the whole, the Eagles have not been the same impressive unit that Oliver Glasner turned them into immediately after his arrival last season, so it is not all Nketiah’s fault. That being said, the 25-year-old needs to start showing his worth as he competes with a more polished striker in Jean-Philippe Mateta.
#4 Niclas Füllkrug: West Ham United FC
Niclas Füllkrug’s transition from Champions League finalist to mid-table bench warmer is one the striker won’t be too proud of. In the summer, the target man was at the peak of his career. He was one of the catalysts in taking Borussia Dortmund to the UCL final, and even in the final, he was a constant menace which eventually resulted in him earning a call-up to the Euro 2024 Germany squad, with the tournament taking place in his home country.
Following his move to England, Füllkrug has seen both his confidence and reputation take a huge hit. Moreover, no matter who is brought in to replace him, it seems the Irons always revert to their ever-reliable all-time top Premier League goalscorer, Michael Antonio. Before his calf injury, Füllkrug only played three Premier League games for the Hammers, all starting from the bench and as a back-up to Antonio.
#3 Kalvin Philips: Ipswich Town FC
When Kieran McKenna decided to take a punt on the English international Kalvin Philips, it was seen as a great escape for the player and an even better deal for the Hatters. However, with his current form, Kieran McKenna is probably feeling a different way. In all honesty, Kalvin Phillips has not been the same player since joining Manchester City, and he looks like a man short of confidence.
His loan spell at West Ham last season was equally disappointing. So far, the 28-year-old combative midfielder has started seven PL fixtures for Ipswich. He recently got sent off against Leicester City while they were leading, with the Foxes eventually leveling the score in added time. Thus, it begs the question whether fans at Portman Road will ever get to see the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ in full force. At the moment, it seems unlikely.
#2 James Ward-Prowse: Nottingham Forest FC
When West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui allowed experienced midfielder James Ward-Prowse to leave and join Nottingham Forest on loan, it raised eyebrows and baffled many Hammers faithful. With the manager himself stating that he was looking to build a dynamic midfield that added more versatility and creativity in the middle of the pitch. As James Ward-Prowse made way, it opened the doors for a creative outlet in Carlos Soler from Paris Saint-Germain.
Since joining Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest side, the English midfielder has been all at sea. In hindsight, Ward-Prowse’s issues may have actually been well spotted by the under-fire Irons boss, as the Englishman has continued to struggle. In a recent 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League, he received a red card for a moment of madness, underlining his defensive limitations. While Forest hoped his experience would bring stability, his overall impact has been under-par thus far.
#1 João Felix: Chelsea FC
Chelsea fans were crying all summer for a proven number nine, someone who will take the goalscoring mantle from Nicolas Jackson and give them that clinical edge. What they didn’t need was another player who can operate as a number 10 or on either flank, honestly I’ve lost count of how many similar profiled players they currently have at the moment. Thus, when both Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney were still in the market, ready to the snapped up by a big European club, the Blues went down a route they’ve already tried and it’s safe to say that it didn’t work the previous time either.
There is no doubt João Felix has a lot of potential and talent. There is also no doubt that Atlético Madrid was not the best place for him to showcase it. But Stamford Bridge is hardly any better. Currently, the Portuguese international doesn’t stand a chance of dethroning Cole Palmer from the number 10 role, and the likes of Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho have been too good to drop. Thus, it makes you wonder why this move was ever sanctioned in the first place.
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