MY ACCOUNT
A number of big-money Premier League recruits have failed to prove their worth this season.
Manchester United splashed the cash last summer to land Antony from Ajax while Chelsea opened their chequebook to bring in Ukrainian speedster Mykhailo Mudryk in January.
As the campaign draws to a close, we take a look at the five of the biggest flops.
Richarlison (Tottenham)
Tottenham looked ready to kick on under Antonio Conte having secured Champions League football on the final day last term and yet the recruitment in North London has proven to be a failure.
Richarlison joined from Everton for £60million but has scored just one league goal this season, having started only 12 times.
And while he has endured some misfortune in the final third, his contributions in a struggling Spurs side have not been a good return on his price tag.
The potential departure of Harry Kane in the summer could open the door for the Brazilian to play in a more central role in 2023-24, though he will have to hit the ground running to make up for lost time.
Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea)
Mykhailo Mudryk may be regarded as one for the future but any signing that commands nearly £90m should be expected to have an immediate impact.
The 22-year-old stood out for Shakhtar Donetsk in the first half of the season but has faded since joining Chelsea.
His eight-and-a-half-year deal gives him plenty of time to make a name for himself in England, though not a single goal in 14 Premier League appearances is a discouraging start for the Ukrainian.
Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)
England midfielder Kalvin Phillips has only managed to warm the bench for champions Manchester City since leaving boyhood club Leeds last summer.
A £45m deal was completed back in July but the 27-year-old did not manage to earn his first start until January in a 2-0 Carabao Cup loss to Southampton.
His only Premier League start came last weekend when City beat Chelsea and lifted the trophy for the third consecutive season.
Injuries have hindered the midfielder this term but his quality is not on the same level as Ilkay Gundogan or Rodri who have been regular starters under Pep Guardiola.
Antony (Manchester United)
Despite glimpses of quality, four league goals from 24 appearances does not represent the level of output Manchester United would have expected from Antony.
The Brazilian winger is full of tricks and speed but Erik ten Hag will want to see more from his ex-Ajax ace next term.
Only 24 shots on target from 71 attempts suggests the 23-year-old needs to develop his finishing, even though he has netted a couple of eye-catching curlers at Old Trafford.
Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa made Philippe Coutinho’s move from Barcelona permanent last summer but he has yet to recapture the form that earned him a move to the Catalan giants back in 2018.
The 30-year-old playmaker has scored just once for the Villans this season from 20 outings and remains way off his best.
With Unai Emery looking to take Villa into Europe on the final day of the Premier League campaign, Coutinho’s future could well be under threat if he does not transform his fortunes in the Midlands.
