The January transfer window has often been a double-edged sword for Premier League clubs. While some teams make shrewd acquisitions that bolster their squads, others find themselves burdened with players who fail to deliver on expectations.
The history of the January transfer window is riddled with both failed signings and excellent players. But we want to highlight only the Premier League worst singings that occurred in January. Hopefully, some teams learn how to avoid this negative trend.
Fernando Torres (Chelsea, 2011)
One of the most talked-about signings in Premier League history, Fernando Torres moved from Liverpool to Chelsea for a staggering £50 million in January 2011. Despite his illustrious career at Liverpool, where he scored 81 goals in 142 appearances, his time at Chelsea was marred by inconsistency.
With over 172 appearances for the Blues, Torres managed only 45 goals, a far cry from his previous form. Although he did win both the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea, the hefty price tag and his inability to replicate his Liverpool success left many fans and pundits questioning the wisdom of one of the most expensive transfers in the history of the EPL.
Alexis Sánchez (Manchester United, 2018)
In a rare swap deal with Arsenal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Manchester United signed Alexis Sánchez in January 2018. At Arsenal, Sánchez had been a dynamic player and has just finished one of the best seasons of his career.
But his move to United quickly turned sour. Over 18 months, he scored only three league goals before being loaned out to Inter Milan, where he eventually moved permanently. Given Sánchez’s prior performances, the expectations were high, but his time at United was characterised by poor form and injuries. Since then, he has been able to show glimpses of his past self, especially during his time at Olympique Marseille, where he scored 14 goals during the 2022/23 season.
Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United, 2013)
Wilfried Zaha’s transfer from Crystal Palace to Manchester United marked the end of an era under Sir Alex Ferguson. Zaha was only 20 when he joined United but struggled to make an impact under David Moyes. After spending the remainder of that season on loan at Palace, he returned to Old Trafford but found himself sidelined and ultimately left for Palace after just two appearances for United.
His failure to adapt and establish himself at such a prestigious club has often been cited as a cautionary tale for young talents. On the other hand, Zaha continued where he left off at Palace, scoring 68 goals in 291 appearances in a tenure that lasted eight years with the Glaziers.
Juan Cuadrado (Chelsea, 2015)
After an impressive World Cup showing with Colombia, Juan Cuadrado was signed by Chelsea from Fiorentina in February 2015 for £23.3 million. However, his time at Stamford Bridge was underwhelming. Cuadrado played just 13 matches without scoring or assisting a goal. His lack of contribution became even more glaring when compared to Mohamed Salah, who was allowed to leave as part of the deal and has since become one of the Premier League’s top scorers.
Wout Weghorst (Manchester United, 2023)
The most recent example of a failed January transfer is Wout Weghorst. The lanky Dutchman joined Manchester United on loan from Burnley in January 2023 as a stopgap solution for Erik ten Hag’s attacking options.
Standing at 6’6″, Weghorst was expected to provide aerial strength and hold-up play. But failed to score in 17 league appearances. His inability to adapt to the pace of Premier League football left fans questioning whether he could ever fulfil his potential at such a high level. Since his time at Old Trafford, Wout has played for Beşiktaş, Hoffenheim, and Ajax, but has never been able to replicate the passion and the efficiency he is known for when playing for the Dutch national side.
