With over €3 billion spent in the summer window of 2021, clubs have heavily compensated for lack of transfer activity in the pandemic-dominated 2020. Some major names switched allegiances this year, with teams choosing to take substantial gambles. While many of them have paid off handsomely, several transfers are already looking to end up as failures. On that note, let’s take a look at 5 of the worst summer signings in 2021.
5. Leon Bailey (Aston Villa)
When Aston Villa sold their talisman Jack Grealish to Manchester City for a record fee of €117.5 million, it was assumed that the Lions would experience a significant dip. While Leon Bailey’s signing as a replacement did give some hope, Villa have faltered massively so far. Bailey has failed to fill in the big shoes of Grealish, racking up just three goal involvements so far. Fitness issues have further hindered his attempts to settle into his new club. Considering the monumental responsibility on his shoulders, the €32 million signing can end up as a failure at Villa Park if things don’t change soon.
4. Marcel Sabitzer (Bayern Munich)
Having been contracted to RB Leipzig for over seven years, Marcel Sabitzer finally decided to ditch his beloved club earlier this year. Conforming to the Bundesliga pattern, the Austrian joined forces with Bayern Munich in a bid to earn titles. However, with the Bavarians enjoying one of the best periods in their history, Sabitzer has found opportunities hard to come by. Subsequently, the €15 million signing has only played 415 minutes this season, failing to accumulate a single goal contribution. A superstar at Leipzig, Sabitzer has failed to set the world alight at Bayern.
3. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
The fact that Antoine Griezmann comfortably makes the worst signings lists for both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the past few years, speaks volumes of his fall from grace. The once Ballon d’Or nominee has experienced a catastrophic dip in form, ever since moving to Camp Nou for €120 million in 2019. He recently returned to his former club, in a bid to rescue his dwindling reputation. However, Griezmann has been a shadow of his former self, only accumulating two league goals so far.
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2. Andre Silva (RB Leipzig)
A rogue shout on such a list, Andre Silva is an extremely talented youngster. However, the Portuguese international has struggled to showcase his potential at a major club so far. While he did enjoy a renaissance period with Eintracht Frankfurt, Silva is enduring a rough patch once again in his brief career. Due to tactical differences, the 24-year-old forward has been unable to incorporate Jesse Marsch’s ideology, failing to settle into the new manager’s system. With a return of just three goals across all competitions, Silva has a long way to go to justify his price tag of €23 million.
1. Daniel James (Leeds United)
Overly hyped players at the time of his arrival, Daniel James was viewed as the next big thing at Old Trafford in 2019. However, a return of just nine goals and nine assists in 74 matches convinced Manchester United to ship him off to Leeds this year. The Peacocks paid a sizeable fee of €29.1 million to acquire his services. Touted to flourish in Marcelo Bielsa’s electrifying system, James has hardly performed for his new side. The Welshman just has a solitary assist to show for his outings in the Premier League, rendering Leeds’ exorbitant investment bizarre.
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