Arsenal's "big play" evokes painful memories of 5 blockbusters that turned into... "flops"

In the 2023 summer transfer window, Arsenal "played big" by spending 65 million pounds to successfully buy Havertz from Chelsea. Not only that, the team also reached an agreement to recruit Declan Rice for 105 million pounds from West Ham.

However, not all blockbuster deals of the Big Six (Man City, MU, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal) are successful. For example, Arsenal spent a lot of money on Nicolas Pepe, but this player became a... flop.

The Ivorian player is just one of five big failed deals for big Premier League teams. Let's take a look at these five blockbuster deals that turned into... duds.

Chuyển nhượng cầu thủ: Arsenal 'chơi lớn' gợi ký ức đau buồn về 5 bom tấn hóa... 'bom xịt'

Romelu Lukaku has seen two failures at big clubs in the Premier League. (Source: Goal)

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku - Belgian player has failed twice at big Premier League clubs.

In 2017, Lukaku joined MU for a fee of 90 million pounds including additional fees. However, this striker only played well in the first season and gradually declined. After 2 years at Old Trafford, the 30-year-old striker was sold by the Red Devils to Inter Milan for 73 million pounds.

In 2021, Chelsea spent nearly 100 million pounds to buy Lukaku from Inter Milan. Lukaku only scored 8 goals in the Premier League. The number is too small compared to the price The Blues paid.

With an unsuitable playing style and lack of understanding with teammates, Romelu Lukaku was forced to leave Chelsea after only one season. He was pushed back to Inter on loan.

Romelu Lukaku said when he officially reunited with Inter Milan: "I'm back home. My emotions are very strong right now. Inter has given me a lot and I want to contribute more to the club than before."

In fact, Lukaku did not play badly in his two seasons at MU, scoring 42 goals. However, the Belgian player always disappointed in big matches, in matches when the team needed him the most.

Pepe trong ngày ra mắt Arsenal 3 năm trước. (Ảnh: Arsenal FC).

Pepe on his Arsenal debut. (Photo: Arsenal FC).

Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal bought the Ivory Coast international for £72 million in 2019. At that time, the Ivory Coast striker would sign a 5-year contract and become the most expensive player in the club's history.

Pepe had a good first few games for Arsenal but as time went on he lost his form. His flamboyant and somewhat individualistic style made it difficult for Pepe to adapt to the style of play that coach Mikel Arteta built at Arsenal. After 3 years, the 27-year-old has played 111 games in all competitions and scored 27 goals.

The player born in 1995 constantly had to sit on the bench for young teammate Bukayo Saka. In the 2021/22 season, Pepe played 20 times in the Premier League but 15 of them came from the bench.

Arsenal have tried to sell Pepe many times but no team has asked to buy him because the Gunners' desired fee and the Ivorian striker's salary are too high. Pepe's contract with Arsenal will expire in 2024.

Currently, Nicolas Pepe still holds the record for the most expensive player in Arsenal's history.

Maguire is likely to leave Old Trafford this summer. (Source: Reuters)

Harry Maguire

This player came to MU with a contract worth 80 million pounds. At first, Maguire proved his ability well. However, the player gradually declined after EURO 2020. By the 2021/22 season, the situation became worse and worse for the England center-back.

In the Manchester Derby in round 28 of the Premier League 2021/22, Harry Maguire was one of the worst players on the MU side. The 1993-born center-back was overwhelmed by the onslaught of attacks from the opponent and easily exposed his limitations.

For example, in the Red Devils' second goal, Maguire handled the ball very clumsily when he let the ball slip through his legs, creating an opportunity for Kevin De Bruyne to finish past David De Gea.

After that, he had to constantly get used to the bench and give up his starting position to the duo Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

Maguire is likely to leave Old Trafford this summer.

Pogba left MU on a free transfer last summer. (Source: Getty Images)

Paul Pogba

Pogba was a failure both professionally and financially for MU. In 2016, the Red Devils spent 89 million pounds to buy back the French international from Juventus. He was a controversial player during his 6 years at MU. This player left many impressive marks and moments and even contributed to the team's initial successes.

However, to be fair, "failure" would be the most accurate word to describe Pogba's entire relationship with the team, with the coaches, with the players and with the record transfer fee of 89 million pounds in 2016.

Pogba also admitted three factors that led to his poor performance at MU including the constant change of coaches, the change in playing philosophy and his own constant injuries.

After 6 years of failing to meet expectations, Pogba left MU for free last summer.

Kalvin Phillips is the choice to replace Fernandinho at Man City. (Source: VOH)

Kalvin Phillips

Man City agreed to pay £45m to Leeds United to "bring" Kalvin Phillips in the summer of 2022, to replace the departure of veteran Fernandinho. However, the England international did not contribute anything to The Citizens' treble in the 2022-23 season.

This season, the former Leeds United star has only played a total of 595 minutes in 21 matches, scoring 0 goals and 0 assists in all competitions.

Previously, coach Pep Guardiola also expressed his disappointment many times with the 27-year-old player's unprofessional training attitude. The Spanish coach complained about Kalvin Phillips' weight after he returned from the 2022 World Cup.

According to The Athletic , the reigning Premier League champions are looking to sell midfielder Kalvin Phillips to other teams in this transfer window.

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