The transfer window saga surrounding Ukraine national team winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who moved from Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea for a reported 70 million euros plus add-ons, has become part of a broader narrative about underwhelming signings in the Premier League this season, as highlighted by goal.com. The move, completed in the January window, arrived amid high expectations but has been scrutinized as part of a season that many observers regard as challenging for new recruits in English football.
The departure to the English club was accompanied by a hefty price tag and the promise of immediate impact. Mudryk went on to feature in a number of league appearances for Chelsea, tallying two assists in 14 matches, a statline that drew comparisons with other high-cost attackers who faced rough adjustment periods in their debut campaigns in England. This case sits alongside a wider debate about how big-money transfers translate into on-pitch success in the immediate term.
At the top of the list of what many pundits label as the worst signings of the Premier League season sits Brazilian striker Richarlison, who arrived at Tottenham Hotspur from Everton for a reported 58 million euros. The expectation around Richarlison was tempered by the realities of adapting to a new league and a different tactical setup, illustrating how a high-profile move can struggle to meet initial projections even when the player arrives with a track record of performance elsewhere.
The roundup of ten transfers cast under a critical lens this season includes several high-profile moves, each assessed for cost, timing, and on-field impact. These assessments often weigh what clubs paid, how quickly players adapted, and whether the investment yielded the anticipated return in goals, assists, or overall influence on games. The discussion reflects a dynamic market where a few estimated hits can be offset by several misses, reshaping club strategies in real time.
1. Richarlison (from Everton to Tottenham, €58 million) — The acquisition carried significant hype given Richarlison’s prior goal-scoring record and energy in the frontline. Yet the early weeks did not fully align with exhaustive expectations, prompting questions about how the blend of Premier League pace and tactical demands interacts with a player’s style and position within Tottenham’s system.
2. Mark Cucurella (Brighton to Chelsea, 65.3 million) — A full-back whose transfer illustrated the market’s willingness to invest heavily in wing-back profiles. The move underscored how Chelsea sought to add depth and versatility on the flanks, while questions persisted about how his defending and attacking transitions would translate to top-tier English football and the club’s evolving tactical plans.
3. Kalvin Phillips (Leeds to Manchester City, £49 million) — A midfielder with a strong reputation coming off a challenging period with injuries, Phillips’s price tag reflected City’s desire to reinforce central areas. The expectation was that he would bring composure, ball progression, and balance, though the integration into Guardiola’s system remains a focal point of evaluation for fans and analysts alike.
4. Mykhaylo Mudryk (Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea, €70 million) — The move drew immediate attention for the sheer sum involved and the scrutiny that accompanies big-money projects. The adaptation course in a demanding league and league-wide expectations for immediate contribution have shaped ongoing conversations about transfer strategy and player development in English football.
5. Jesse Lingard (Manchester United to Nottingham Forest, free) — Lingard’s return to a former employer in a new context highlighted how timing and role definition can alter the perceived value of a free transfer. The veteran forward sought to influence a resurgent Forest side, with performance measured against his past Premier League contributions and current responsibilities within the squad.
6. Anthony (from Ajax to Manchester United, £95 million) — A forward whose move reflected United’s continuing pursuit of creative attacking options. The expectations centered on goal production, link-up play, and how well Anthony could synchronize with a refurbished United attack under pressure to compete at the highest level.
7. Arthur (Juventus to Liverpool, on loan) — A mid-season loan that carried a reputation for potential long-term value rather than a direct monetary outlay. Arthur’s time on Merseyside was watched keenly for evidence of how a talented midfielder could fit Klopp’s pressing philosophy and help steady Liverpool’s engine room during a demanding schedule.
8. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Barcelona to Chelsea, 12 million) — A move that carried nostalgia and a proven goal-scoring pedigree, yet the impact hinged on finding a role within Chelsea’s frontline rotations. The switch illustrated how veteran strikers approach second acts in top leagues and how adaptable they must be to different systems and teammates.
9. Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli to Chelsea, £38 million) — A seasoned centre-back transfer intended to bolster defensive solidity. The expectation was steady leadership at the back and reliability under pressure, balanced against the realities of integrating into a new defensive unit and league tempo.
10. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City to Chelsea, £56.2 million) — A beam of experience and pace moving between top-tier teams in London. The move framed ongoing discussions about how players transition across rival clubs within a single city, and how Sterling’s directness could influence Chelsea’s attacking shape in a crowded midfield and forward landscape.
Overall, the season’s transfer narrative reflects a crowded market characterized by high price tags and elevated expectations that do not always align with immediate performance. Analysts note that adaptation time matters, the fit with team strategy is crucial, and some signings can yield returns later in the campaign or in subsequent seasons. The Mudryk case, in particular, has become part of a broader discourse about how clubs balance ambition with practical outcomes in a highly competitive league, and how fans gauge the success of multi-million euro investments over a short horizon.