Fernando Torres ranks surprisingly highly on the list of successful record signings…
Breaking the club transfer record – something that thrills supporters and, in the Premier League, usually signals the arrival of a global superstar – but does splashing the cash ever work?
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When you consider the list of record signings made by the twenty Premier League clubs, the number that have enjoyed success are surprisingly low. Is it the pressure that’s getting to them? Or are they overpriced from the outset?
CaughtOffside ranks the Premier League’s record signings in order of success and details what went wrong or right:
Queens Park Rangers – Christopher Samba (£12.5m)
Samba was meant to be the man to keep QPR in the Premier League in 2013, but that plan spectacularly backfired as the Congo international made ten forgettable appearances before being sold back to former club Anzhi.
Southampton – Pablo Osvaldo (£15m)
Managed just 13 Premier League games and three goals before a training ground bust-up saw him shipped out on loan to Juventus. Osvaldo made it clear that he’d not be returning to the Saints this season, and is now with Inter Milan.
West Bromwich Albion – Brown Ideye (£10m)
West Brom took a huge gamble on the Nigerian international when they signed him from Dynamo Kyiv this summer. He has got his name on the score-sheet once, but his time in England has otherwise been instantly forgettable thus far.
Liverpool – Andy Carroll (£35m)
Carroll managed 44 league games and just six goals during an injury-hit spell at Anfield, which included a year on loan at West Ham United. The former Newcastle target man had a couple of bright moments, particularly in the FA Cup, but was otherwise a major flop.
West Ham United – Andy Carroll (£15m)
Yes, he’s on this list twice. Carroll’s injury issues have not improved since joining the Hammers. and he’s made just 17 league appearances since making his loan switch permanent in the summer of 2013, scoring twice – but at least United paid £20m less than Liverpool.
Burnley – Steven Fletcher / George Boyd (£3m)
Fletcher scored eight goals for Burnley in the 2009-10 season as Burnley failed to survive their first season in the Premier League, and the Clarets more than doubled their money by selling him to Wolves. George Boyd joined the club this summer upon their return to the top flight.
Newcastle United – Michael Owen (£16m)
A declining Michael Owen scored 26 league goals in 71 games, but spent the majority of his four year spell at the club in the treatment room, costing the Magpies millions in wages and medical bills for very little reward.
Aston Villa – Darren Bent (£18m)
Started brightly after joining from Sunderland. scoring nine goals in the second-half of the 2009-10 season. But he faded following the arrival of Paul Lambert, who was unimpressed with Bent’s work ethic, and loaned him out to Fulham last year.
Tottenham Hotspur – Erik Lamela (£30m)
Yet to justify his huge transfer fee, but can be treated with a degree of sympathy after spending the majority of last season out injured. He has shown flashes of his potential this season, scoring three times in cup competitions.
Hull City – Abel Hernández (£10m)
Has scored three times in his first eight league games, since joining from Palermo in the summer. Still young at 24, and has shown with his goal scoring exploits at international level that he could be a big success.
Leicester City – Leonardo Ulloa (£8m)
Started the season in fine form following his move from Brighton, scoring five goals in his first ten games, but has faded in the last couple of months, and needs to rediscover the form he showed early on in the year.
Stoke City – Peter Crouch (£10m)
Has scored 27 league goals in 110 games with Stoke, who he has been with since 2011, bringing to an end his habit of moving between clubs on a regular basis. Crouch has been a steady, if unspectacular scorer, and always has something to offer.
Chelsea – Fernando Torres (£50m)
His numbers for Chelsea aren’t as bad as you might think. The Spaniard scored 45 times for the Blues, including 22 times in the 2012-13 season. Unfortunately, when you’re a £50m player, a goal every four games is really not enough, especially after he netted 81 times for Liverpool in 30 less games.
Crystal Palace – Dwight Gayle (£6m)
Has certainly offered value for money, with 14 league goals since joining in the summer of 2013. His biggest moment came against Liverpool last season, where he scored twice as Palace came from two goals behind to draw 2-2.
Sunderland – Steven Fletcher (£14m)
Has struggled with injuries since his arrival at Wolves, but has scored crucial goals for the Black Cats, with 18 in total, including four so far in the Premier League this year. Sunderland are always a better team with him involved.
Arsenal – Mesut Ozil (£42.5m)
Has drawn plenty of criticism since his arrival at the club, but has shown in spells what he’s capable of. Scored seven goals in all competitions last season, as the Gunners broke their trophy drought by winning the FA Cup. Has struggled with an injury this year.
Manchester United – Angel Di Maria (£59.7m)
Made an instant impact after signing from Real Madrid, scoring three goals in his first nine appearances, while making several others. The Argentine looks a truly world class player, and he is already a firm favourite at Old Trafford.
Everton – Romelu Lukaku (£28m)
Everton spent big after Lukaku scored 15 goals for the club while on loan from Chelsea. Five more league goals have already followed so far this season, and at just 21-years-old the Belgian could become an iconic figure at Goodison Park.
Swansea City – Wilfried Bony (£12m)
Scored 25 goals in all competitions during his first season at the club, and has already found the net six times so far this year. The Ivorian has done a wonderful job at City since joining from Dutch club Vitesse, and looks a steal at just £12m.
Manchester City – Sergio Aguero (£38m)
Arguably City’s greatest ever player, a real game changer, and a goal scorer that is a constant threat regardless of the situation. Scored the goal that won City the Premier League in 2012, and has been a solid contributor ever since. City have wasted a lot of money in recent years, but Aguero has been worth every penny.
SEE ALSO: The Best Liverpool goals.