Radamel Falcao has been reduced to playing with the Manchester United academy side as his nightmare season with the Red Devils winds towards its inevitable conclusion – Louis van Gaal refusing to pay the £43.5m required to keep him and sending him back to Monaco.
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It’s easy to forget that the Colombian was an incredible player in his prime – scoring goals for fun while playing for the likes of Porto and Atletico Madrid. Over the years, some players just haven’t taken to life in the Premier League, such as the ten stars in the list below…
10) Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
The experienced German international has scored 47 goals in 121 games for his country, but has never truly settled at a ‘major club’. His spell at Arsenal certainly ended in disappointment, while he’s faired little better in Munich or Milan.
9) Diego Forlan (Manchester United)
Forlan scored just ten goals in 63 Premier League appearances between 2002 and 2004, but proceeded to enjoy an excellent career in Spain, impressing for both Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, even winning the European Golden Shoe award in 2005 and 2009.
8) Roberto Soldado (Tottenham Hotspur)
After scoring 59 goals in 101 league games for Valencia, the Spanish international earned himself a move to Tottenham. Since the summer of 2013, he’s managed just seven Premier League goals, despite featuring 45 times – a poor return by any striker’s standards.
7) Juan Sebastian Veron (Manchester United & Chelsea)
The former Argentine international had a nightmare three year spell in England, playing for both United and Chelsea before spending another three years out on loan. The midfielder enjoyed plenty of success in both Italy and Argentina, but was always off the pace in England.
6) Adrian Mutu (Chelsea)
The striker was tipped to be a huge success at Chelsea, but managed just 27 Premier League appearances and six goals before being sacked over a breach of contract. It was later confirmed that he had failed a drugs test for cocaine.
5) Fernando Morientes (Liverpool)
The ex-Spanish international scored goal at a ratio of less than one in three at Real Madrid, but managed just eight goals in 41 Premier League games for the Reds. He left for Valencia after just two seasons, with his career coming to an end a couple of years later.
4) Radamel Falcao (Manchester United)
The 29-year-old has simply failed to settle in English football, with many critics claiming that he’s been held back by the injury that kept him out of last summer’s World Cup.
3) Robinho (Manchester City)
The Brazilian was tipped to be the next big thing, but managed just 14 goals in 41 league games for City. The former Real Madrid star was the first ‘major’ signing to arrive at City back in 2008, but left empty handed after failing to win anything during his time with the club.
2) Angel di Maria (Manchester United)
Another current United star who’s not lived up to his reputation. The club’s record signing, who cost close to £60m last summer, has failed to adapt to life in England – struggling for form and fitness throughout the season so far.
1) Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea)
The Ukrainian was a legend at AC Milan, scoring 127 goals in 208 league games. He was brought to Chelsea by club owner Roman Abramovich, but never looked likely to prove a success. He bagged just nine league goals before being shipped out on loan.