Promising so much and delivering so little, we name and shame this season’s underwhelmers.
Borja Baston
Arriving for a hefty fee of £15million, there was a hype surrounding the striker, though with just one goal to his name this season, he has failed to live up to that hype, or his price tag. The 24-year-old scored an impressive 18 goals for La Liga side Eibar last season but has failed to replicate anything similar to that form.
Admittedly, the Spaniard did suffer an injury not long after his arrival in Wales but still, following his recovery he has been limited to just four starts and 14 appearances of the bench. This puts the Swans back at over £3million per start.
Claudio Bravo
Pep Guardiola’s decision to allow Joe Hart to leave alone was one that raised many eyebrows and upon seeing Claudio Bravo’s performances this season, we’re still no clearer as to what Pep was thinking. The Chilean cost a sizeable £17million but has done little to do justify that price tag. Whilst he may be impressive with the ball at his feet, Bravo isn’t that great with his hands and as a goalkeeper, that’s a rather big problem
His performance in City’s 4-0 defeat to Everton was the worst of the lot this season, Bravo failed to save a single shot on target and that game took his tally to 14 conceded from the last 22 shots on goal.
Moussa Sissoko
Newcastle must have been rubbing their hands with glee when Mauricio Pochettino bizarrely offered £30million for the midfielder, relegated with the Magpies, the hit-and-miss player did tremendously well attract such a lofty fee. Unsurprisingly, Sissoko is yet do anything to merit that fee.
The Frenchman started just seven times in the league with a further 16 appearances off the bench, he is yet to score, though he does have two assists. The 27-year-old is just not suited to Spurs’ high-tempo, short-passing style of play and a transfer away from the club may be on the cards.
Lamine Kone
The centre-back did excellently last season since arriving at Sunderland in the January transfer window and undoubtedly helped the club stay in the Premier League. This time round, he’s part of the reason why the bookmakers favourites are going down. Kone was the subject of an £18million from Everton during the summer window and David Moyes is likely to be kicking himself for turning it down as he’ll do well to attract a fee anywhere near as much.
Kone’s attitude and performances have been as equally as bad and the Ivorian has failed to form a stable partnership with neither John O’Shea, Jason Denayer or Papy Djiliobodji. Part of a defence that has conceded 64 goals, he must shoulder some of the responsibility.
John Stones
Stones is another defender that has underperformed this season and has done next to nothing to warrant that staggering £50million transfer. The 22-year-old has been of the main weaknesses in the City backline and has made a series of errors, three of which have led to an opposition goal and one which has led to an attempt on goal. Fellow members of the back four made either zero or just one meaning Stones needs to up his game.
Still, at such a tender age the defender has years ahead of him and whilst we makes this list for now, we don’t expect to see him in any future lists. Under Guardiola’s guidance and with a decent keeper behind him, Stones can really thrive.
