What A Waste Of Money: The Season’s Biggest Flops

Posted by Stan Hughes in Featured Articles, La Liga, Premiership, Serie A on April 15th, 2010 | no responses

Yuri Zhirkhov. Chelsea ’s sole big-money signing last summer has staged a bigger flop than a Bolshoi ballerina. Originally touted by his agents as the “Russian Ronaldinho,” it’s becoming painfully obvious that they meant the Ronaldinho of 2009 and not the Ronaldinho who was scything down defences in years gone by. Roman Abramovich has long craved a fellow countryman on his team, but he zeroed in on a dud. Admittedly, Zhirkhov isn’t utter rubbish, but when you spend £18 million on a single player, you should expect to get a better return.

Felipe Melo. The Brazilian was at the centre of a tug of war last summer when Arsenal and Juventus faced off for the rights to the dogged holding midfielder. While Melo eventually signed a five year contract with Juve, his performances to date would indicate that perhaps Arsenal won the duel after all. Melo has failed to re-create the scintillating form he showed at Fiorentina and has clashed with Bianconeri fans on several occasions this season. It’s hard to see a future for the lad if he keeps shouting four-letter expletives at the Juve supporters.

Robinho. Okay, his transfer was technically two summers ago, but its full failure didn’t become apparent until this year. Manchester City confirmed their spot at the grown up’s table by snagging this precocious Brazilian talent from Real Madrid in the summer of 2008 for £32.5 million. For a while it looked like the Sky Blues had struck gold with their first mega signing. But in January, when the little genius realized that he couldn’t cut it in England (was it the weather? The food? Craig Bellamy?), Robinho hopped on his helicopter and buggered off back to Brazil .

Karim Benzema. During his short career, “Le Phénomène” has had the full range of praise lavished on his young shoulders. But following five successful years with Lyon, where he picked up four league winners medals, Karim Benzema’s career this season has stuttered. Following his €35 million move to Real Madrid last summer, Benzema has looked more like the retired Zidane than the next Zidane. If early transfer season rumours are to be believed, Benzema could yet be thrown a lifeline by Manchester United, who are still reeling from missing out on his signature last summer.

Kaka. By far the biggest flop of the season, pound for pound, Kaka has been a shadow of his former self at El Bernebeu. Seven goals in 21 La Liga fixtures isn’t bad but it certainly won’t make the CFO jump for joy. Signed on a six year deal from AC Milan for a mind-boggling €65 million, at least he has enough time left on his contract to repay the faith. And to think Manchester City was willing to splash £100 million on the boy.