Premier League 2024/25: 5 worst summer signings

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 are always some deals that do not pay off and blow up in the faces of the clubs. With that in mind, here 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 £30m 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 had 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 Mateta.

#4 Niclas Füllkrug: West Ham United FC

Niclas Füllkrug’s transition from a Champions League finalist to a Premier League bench-warmer is one the striker won’t be too proud of. In the summer, the Germany international was at the peak of his career, having been one of the catalysts that helped Borussia Dortmund reached the UCL final. Even in said final, he was a constant menace, which eventually resulted in him earning a call-up to Germany’s Euro 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, the Irons always seem to turn to their ever-reliable all-time top Premier League goalscorer, Michail Antonio. Before his calf injury, Füllkrug featured in three Premier League games, all of which he started 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 Kalvin Philips, it was seen as a great escape for the Englishman and an even better deal for the Tractor Boys. However, give the player’s current form, McKenna might be feeling differently.

In all honesty, Phillips has not been the same player since joining Manchester City from Leeds United a little over two years ago, having constantly looked like a man short of confidence. His loan spell at West Ham last season was equally disappointing, and this term the 28-year-old midfielder has started seven PL fixtures for Ipswich. He recently got sent off against Leicester City while his team were leading, and the Foxes eventually levelled 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 manager Julen Lopetegui allowed experienced midfielder James Ward-Prowse to leave and join Nottingham Forest on loan, it raised eyebrows and baffled many Hammers faithfuls, the Spaniard having stated that he was looking to build a dynamic midfield that added more versatility and creativity in the middle of the pitch. As 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, despite in a team flying high at the moment, the English midfielder has been at sea. In hindsight, Ward-Prowse’s issues may have actually been well-spotted by the under-fire Irons boss, as the Englishman continues to struggle. In a recent 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the league, Ward-Prowse received a red card for a moment of madness, underlining his defensive limitations.

While Forest would have hoped that his experience would bring stability, Ward-Prowse’s overall impact on the squad has been under-par thus far. 

#1 João Felix: Chelsea FC

Chelsea fans were crying all summer for a proven number nine, someone who would take the goal-scoring mantle from Nicolas Jackson and give them that clinical edge. What they didn’t need was another player who can operate as a number ten or on either flank (I’ve lost count of how many similarly-profiled players they currently have at the moment).

Thus, despite both Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney being in the market, ready to the snapped up by a big European club, the Blues went down a route they had 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 Portugal international doesn’t stand a chance of dethroning Cole Palmer from the number ten role in the starting XI, 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.