16 Premier League Flops so far this Season 2 CCFC Players in

£150m flop squad: Meet the Premier League summer signings who have failed to match the hype (and one who's already left!)
By CRAIG HOPE

19th November 2013

They were the signings unveiled beneath the optimistic burn of the summer sun.
But, as winter nears, they remain in the shadows; injured, benched or still searching for the form which persuaded their new employers to invest in the first place.
While labelling them flops may well prove premature, more was no doubt hoped for and expected.



Late arrival: Manchester United boss David Moyes signed Marouane Fellaini from Everton in a £27.5million deal
For after 11 games of the Premier League campaign, it is fair to reflect that the stars of this season were already in residence.
The new boys, on the other hand, are yet to convince.
Indeed, Sportsmail has assembled a squad of 16 which are still to impact since their close-season move.
And, at a combined cost of £150million, supporters will be hoping to see more when the top-flight resumes this weekend.



Top form: Stars such as Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have outshone the Premier League's newest recruits
The Premier League's £150m flop squad



Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma to Fulham, £4.75m)
It was a bittersweet bow for the Holland netminder, the joy of a 1-0 victory at Sunderland tempered by the agony of a shoulder injury which would keep him out for two months.
His last four outings, however, have all ended in defeat, shipping 13 goals along the way.
Poor return: Maarten Stekelenburg has shipped in 13 goals in 4 games since overcoming a shoulder injury


John Brayford (Derby County to Cardiff City, £1.5m)
After three impressive years at Pride Park, Brayford won his move to the Premier League with the newly-promoted Bluebirds.
The 25-year-old, though, is yet to enjoy a single sniff of top-flight football and there has even been talk of a return to the Rams.
Sitting it out: John Brayford hasn't played a single minute of Premier League football for Cardiff since joining



Martin Demichelis (Atletico Madrid to Man City, £3.5m)
Within a week of arriving the Argentine damaged his knee ligaments in training and was subsequently sidelined for nearly two months.
He returned for a trip to Stamford Bridge but it was a debut to forget as Fernando Torres nicked a last-minute winner for Chelsea.
Demichelis started City’s final outing before the international break – an away-day at Sunderland – but he was again below par as the hosts emerged with a shock 1-0 victory.
Hair-raising start? Two of Martin Demichelis' three league appearances for Man City have ended in disappointing defeats



Jores Okore (Nordsjaelland to Aston Villa, £4m)
The Denmark international has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing cruciate ligaments in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle last month.
That was his third Premier League appearance, each of them ending in defeat for the Ivory Coast-born defender.
Huge blow: Aston Villa's Jores Okore was ruled out for rest of season after rupturing his cruciate ligaments




Florian Marange (Bordeaux to Crystal Palace, Free)
Bizarrely signed and then left out of Ian Holloway’s 25-man squad for the Premier League, the Frenchman’s contract was duly ripped up last month following just one League Cup outing.
Holloway claimed he was ‘too slow’ for English football. His return to France was certainly speedy.
Bad move: Florian Marange claimed he wanted to 'rip up' his contract after being left out of the 25-man squad




Jesus Navas (Seville to Man City, £17m rising to £22.9m)
The winger had long since been revered on these shores thanks to the exposure of Spanish football on television.
So far, though, it is fair to say Navas has failed to live up to that billing and City have won just four from his nine top-flight appearances, during which time the Spaniard is yet to score.
Big name: Jesus Navas has won the World Cup but has so far failed to show his undoubted quality in England



Marouane Fellaini (Everton to Man Utd, £27.5m)
The Belgian would probably don the armband in this XI. It was soon levelled at the 25-year-old that he was not in the class of player normally associated with the Red Devils.
And, during the opening quarter of the campaign, he has done little to disprove that theory.
He has made just two league starts for his new club and was sent off against Real Sociedad in the Champions League earlier this month.
Fellaini's only goal this season came in the Capital One Cup against Stevenage (for Everton!)
Non-starter: Most of Marouane Fellaini's (right) appearances for Man United have come from the bench



Erik Lamela (Roma to Spurs, £30m)
A harsh inclusion? Not when you consider the fee and the hope on the terraces of White Hart Lane that this was the man to fill the void left by Gareth Bale.
Lamela is yet to even a start a Premier League match and his sole goal has come against Moldovan minnows FC Sheriff in the Europa League.
Big shoes to fill: Spurs signed Erik Lamela for £30million from Roma following the sale of star man Gareth Bale




Arouna Kone (Wigan to Everton, £6m)
Roberto Martinez raided his former club to snare the Ivory Coast striker for a fairly sizeable fee.
Just as well he later landed Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea, for Kone failed to score from five substitute appearances in the league before a knee cartilage operation ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Yet to impress: Arouna Kone has missed a number of gilt-edged chances and is yet to score for Everton




Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Sporting Lisbon to Norwich City, £8.5m)
Many had flirted with the possibility of bringing the Dutch forward to England, only to switch their attention elsewhere.
Chris Hughton, one of those who had tracked Van Wolfswinkel during his time in charge at Newcastle, eventually took the plunge but the £8.5m gamble has backfired on the evidence thus far.
He has just one goal, scored on the opening day against Everton, and has since found himself relegated to the bench.
Gamble: Ricky van Wolfswinkel joined Norwich for £8.5m but has failed to find the net since the opening day





Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina to Man City, £22m)
More was no doubt expected of the highly-rated Montenegrin following five eye-catching seasons in Serie A.
A string of niggling injuries have hampered his progress, however, and his only league start came in the drab goalless draw at Stoke City.
Big deal: Stevan Jovetic cost Manchester City £22m but niggling injuries have restricted him to just one start
Subs




Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo to Liverpool, £7.2m)
The Spaniard was already struggling to impact on the pitch when a thigh injury confined him to the treatment room. He’s due to return later this month but will have a job trying to displace the in-form pairing of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
Comeback: Iago Aspas is closing in on a return from injury but will likely have to settle for a place on the bench





Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse Arnhem to Chelsea, £9m)
The Dutch midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Swindon Town in the Capital One Cup having appeared as a substitute against Hull City on the opening day of the season
With the injury expected to keep him out of action for six months, the 20-year-old will probably have to wait until next season to make his mark at the club.
Unfortunate: Marco van Ginkel appeared for Chelsea against Hull but got injured at Swindon in the Cup


'Andreas Cornelius '(FC Copenhagen to Cardiff City, £7.5m)
The Dane was, until the arrival of Gary Medel, a club-record signing for the Bluebirds.
His league exposure has been restricted to just one minute and, after suffering an ankle injury at Accrington in the Capital One Cup, he is only set to return this weekend.
Broken record: ' Andreas Cornelius ' joined Cardiff for £8.5million and will be desperate to return from injury




' Andrea Dossena ' (Napoli to Sunderland, Free)
He may have cost nothing, but there were high hopes for the 10-times capped Italy full-back when Paolo Di Canio brought him to Wearside from Napoli.
In just his second start, however, he was red carded for a reckless, two-footed lunge and slapped with an immediate three-game ban.
Manager Gus Poyet has already warned Dossena could find it hard to regain his place in the side.

Leaving already? Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has warned Andrea Dossena may struggle to regain his place
Antolín Alcaraz (Wigan to Everton, Free)

Another who Martinez chose to bring with him to Merseyside, the Paraguayan is yet to kick a ball following hernia surgery.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How can they be flops if they have had restricted game time?

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

Yes nj was just curious as know scores in cups. Got to be honest when seen him play looks a bit clumsy.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

Yes nj was just curious as know scores in cups. Got to be honest when seen him play looks a bit clumsy.

He's still settling in. To be honest, I think Michu being out of the side is helping him as well at the moment.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

You're on a rivals messageboard so are always going to back your player whatever. I work in Swansea & they call him Pony. Have been told they'd genuinly prefer Luke Moore.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

You're on a rivals messageboard so are always going to back your player whatever. I work in Swansea & they call him Pony. Have been told they'd genuinly prefer Luke Moore.

The people you're talking to are idiots then.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

You're on a rivals messageboard so are always going to back your player whatever. I work in Swansea & they call him Pony. Have been told they'd genuinly prefer Luke Moore.

The people you're talking to are idiots then.

Nope, far from it. And, from what I've witnessed, they're far better judges than you.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

You're on a rivals messageboard so are always going to back your player whatever. I work in Swansea & they call him Pony. Have been told they'd genuinly prefer Luke Moore.

Nope, far from it. And, from what I've witnessed, they're far better judges than you.

The people you're talking to are idiots then.

An opinion you're entitled to and one I completely disagree with. As I'm sure will be proven increasingly as the season goes on.

How can they be flops if they have had restricted game time?

So if you're injured, you're a flop.

Fair enough!

So if you're injured, you're a flop.

Fair enough!

The most ridiculous list I've ever seen! Hope Cornelius turns into a new Drogba to shut those imbeciles up.

Could add Capoue, Bony, a number of Sunderland players, half of the crystal palace squad.

Aye, 10 goals in 18 games from Bony is a real flop

How many in premier? Not micky mouse cups!

4 in 10. About half of them starts.

That'll do me for a first couple of months in a new country

You're on a rivals messageboard so are always going to back your player whatever. I work in Swansea & they call him Pony. Have been told they'd genuinly prefer Luke Moore.

The people you're talking to are idiots then.

This. Bony is going to prove to be a great signing. He's already showing he can score goals and he's not had a proper pre-season. Once he's settled in he'll score even more.

How can being injured be considered being a flop, morons

No doubt luke moore and steve watkin were much better than pony! Wibble. Nurse.

That article is silly, half of those players are not flops they have just been unfortunate with injuries or have struggled to get in ahead of other players who have impressed more.

How you call anyone a flop when they are injured I don't know

Its all meaningless because its too early, the ones about players with injuries is another example.