With the likes of Paul Pogba having endured a disastrous campaign following his move to Juventus at the start of the season, here are KickOff writer Lukhanyo Mtuta's five biggest transfer flops of 2022/23.
Paul Pogba - Juventus
Pogba's return to Turin has been nothing short disappointing as the player has made just two appearances for the side in all competitions so far this season. His departure from Manchester United as a free agent at the end of the previous campaign became a hot topic, with many questioning whether he truly lived up to expectations at Old Trafford after his club-record €105 million (R2 billion) move to England from Juve in 2016. Blighted by injuries, the midfielder has missed a staggering 46 games for the Old Lady, according to Transfermarkt. To make things worse, he has also continued to be followed by controversy after he was embroiled in a public spat with his brother Mathias Pogba, who accused the France playmaker of using witchcraft on his Les Bleus compatriot Kylian Mbappe. In return, Pogba accused his sibling of being involved in an extortion operation aimed against him and an investigation was launched into the 29-year-old's claims that the extortionists were demanding €12.5 million (R245 million) for protection services. Mathias was arrested in September 2022 and released after three months in prison and he is now said to be banned from contacting the Bianconeri No.10. For the Serie A giants, the move has ultimately not gone according to plan as the star reportedly pockets €10.3 million (R200 million) per season, the fifth-most at the club, despite registering less than 50 minutes of action so far.
Read: Ten Hag 'growing impatient' with Man Utd star
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Chelsea
The Gabonese striker has become a forgotten figure at Chelsea, as he has only made five appearances for the side since the start of 2023. His arrival in Stamford Bridge from FC Barcelona initially looked promising after he was brought in as a last-minute signing by then-manager Thomas Tuchel in September last year. The two are understood to have had a close relationship dating back to their time together at Borussia Dortmund and there were strong suggestions that the 33-year-old could lead the attack following Romelu Lukaku's loan move to Inter Milan. However, Tuchel was sacked almost immediately after Aubameyang made his debut for the Blues and things have gone on a downward trajectory since. In January, recently sacked boss Graham Potter removed him from the team's UEFA Champions League squad and the African would also go on to be frozen out of the team in domestic competitions. He has been left out of the matchday squad in six of the eight Premier League matches since the start of February, with his last outing being a seven-minute cameo against Tottenham Hotspur on 26 February.
Antonio Rudiger - Real Madrid
The German international joined Los Blancos on the back of an impressive last two seasons at Chelsea, where he had won the 2020/21 Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. He was highly sought-after last year as potential suitors waited patiently for him to become a free agent. Real, however, were quickest to snap him up to bolster their defence following a Champions League-winning campaign, but he has seemingly struggled to live up to to expectations so far. Earlier this year, reports claiming that Los Blancos owner Florentino Perez regrets signing the centre-back emerged and Rudiger has continued to face criticism from fans and section of the Spanish media, with Spanish outlet Marca slating the star on several occasions.
Read: Tuchel 'reacts' to Chelsea sacking Potter
Richarlison and Yves Bissouma - Tottenham Hotspur
The Spurs duo joined the club for a combined fee of €87.2 million (R1.7 billion) at the start of 2022/23 after the pair built a solid reputation for themselves in the Premier League. The pair were linked with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, but both decided to join the Lilywhites instead. Richarlison claimed that he season was "sh**" early last month and blamed his then-boss Antonio Conte for his struggles, which include a run of just two goals in 27 matches for the London-based side so far. Bissouma has had more substitute appearances than starts this season, while has also spent 53 days on the sidelines due to injury.
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