With Kai Havertz finally scoring his first goal from open play since joining Arsenal in a €75 million (R1.5 billion) deal, here are five top signings that have underwhelmed in 2023/24 so far!
Kai Havertz – Arsenal
Havertz is the third most expensive signing in the Gunners' history, behind Declan Rice and Nicolas Pepe. As such, there were lofty expectation for the German to perform, but he has really struggled to find his feet at the Emirates, with just two goals in 20 games for the side so far. He scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Brentford this past weekend, but the strike was only his first goal in open play for Arsenal, the other coming via a penalty against Bournemouth in September. Manager Mikel Arteta has had to defend the 24-year-old from criticism several times already as there have also been questions over what his best position is and how he fits into the team. Evidently, the attacker is yet to justify his big price tag, which also makes him the most expensive German footballer ever. His disappointing form has also seen him being utilised in different roles – however, during the recent international break, things took a bizarre turn when he was played at left-back by his national team coach Julian Nagelsmann.
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Mason Mount – Manchester United
Fellow Chelsea departee Mount has also struggled to find his feet at Manchester United after his €64.2 million (R1.3 billion) arrival in July. The attacking midfielder has played 10 times in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League but is yet to have any goal involvement in the two competitions. In addition to his uninspiring displays at United, Mount has already missed seven matches for the club, while he is yet to receive an England call-up since arriving at Old Trafford. He missed the club's recent 3-0 win over Everton after he was ruled out of the fixture on Friday due to yet another injury. According to Goal, Mount is set to miss another three weeks of action, which is a huge blow for manager Erik ten Hag ahead of a tough run of fixtures against Galatasaray, Newcastle United, and Chelsea.
Moises Caicedo – Chelsea
Caicedo is the fourth-most-expensive signing in Premier League history after his €116 million (R2.3 billion) move from Brighton Hove Albion to Chelsea. After an impressive breakout campaign last season with the Seagulls, the 21-year-old is yet to replicate those performances in defensive midfield for the Blues. His move to Stamford Bridge was clouded in controversy from the start as he was initially believed to have an agreement with Liverpool before he had a change of heart. Meanwhile, his start to life in west London has left a lot to be desired given that he has also made two high-profile errors leading to goals in games against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
Joao Felix – FC Barcelona
The only loan signing to feature in this list, Joao Felix has now gone nine LALIGA games without scoring. The Portugal international signed for the Catalan giants on loan from Atletico Madrid after making it public that it was his dream was to play for Barca. Despite his promising start to life at the Camp Nou after scoring a brace on his debut for the club in the Champions League, his form has dramatically waned since September. According to Mundo Deportivo, though, the Blaugrana's stance remains to sign the 24-year-old permanently at the end of the season if the funds are available.
Ousmane Dembele – Paris Saint-Germain
From a Barca arrival to a departure, Ousmane Dembele is struggling to make a big impression at Paris Saint-Germain after the club triggered his €50 million release (R1 billion) clause at Barcelona in August. The decision to leave Spain left his former manager Xavi Hernandez publicly disappointed as the Spaniard had counted on the winger. However, he has not set Ligue 1 alight in any significant way, with his first goal for the club only coming this past weekend in a league game against AS Monaco. Following that strike, the France international said he was happy to finally score for PSG, but he would rather have a good game than just get on the scoresheet.
"In recent weeks, I am happy with my performances with Paris Saint-Germain," the 26-year-old told Le10Sport. "I'm gradually gaining strength, and I hope I will continue like this. The goal was important, but I prefer to have good matches, even without scoring. Afterwards, I'm happy to have scored. I try to create a lot of chances, to make assists or score goals."
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