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Whether they cost big-money or not, there is always risk involved in signing players. It could be the big-name flops badly for various reasons - form, fitness, issues with the new environment, team's tactics.
Examples of this abound; Alvaro Morata & Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United), Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City), and so many more.
Sometimes, it is not that the player suddenly becomes bad overnight, it could be as simple as the fit between club and player not being as good as previously thought. Consider the case of Diego Forlan.
The blonde Uruguayan didn't do so well at Manchester United but was an absolute beast at both Villarreal and Atletico Madrid after leaving Old Trafford.
The 2018-19 summer transfer window saw clubs splurging on talent to help them achieve their goals. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Richarlison (Everton), and Alisson Becker (Liverpool) have been resounding successes despite their huge price tags.
On the other hand, some big-money signings have struggled to deliver the quality they were brought in for.
Here is a look at 5 of the most disappointing so far.
#5 Jean Micheal Seri (Fulham)
The transfer gossip two summers ago was hot as regards the Ivorian international. Playing in midfield for the French club, OGC Nice, Seri's dynamism, passing, and leadership had drawn lots of plaudits.
In the summer of 2017, it was widely believed that having helped the unfancied French Riviera side qualify for the UEFA Champions League, he would be off to a bigger club.
FC Barcelona was said to be very interested in signing him, with club legend, Xavi Hernandez, quoted as saying that Seri had Barca DNA.
The move didn't happen, and a year later, he moved to join the Cottagers for £25 million. Needless to say, it has been a very disappointing time for club and player.
Seri's quality has come through only in fits and starts, as the team look dead-certain to return to the Championship after just one season.
He has not been helped by the harebrained tactics of both Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri. However, he has also failed to show up for the side and will be looked upon as an expensive flop (and rightly so).
#4 Riyadh Mahrez (Manchester City)
It may seem a tad harsh to condemn the Algerian winger as having been disappointing. After all, he is in a position unfamiliar to him - fighting three other wingers (Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Leroy Sane) for a starting berth.
However, his displays should warrant criticism as he has been tepid and too one-dimensional. Coming from a Leicester City side that in its title-winning season feasted on counter attacks, Mahrez has struggled in a team that dominates possession every time.
A £60 million signing, it was felt that Pep Guardiola brought in the 28-year-old to give variation to his side. Sterling and Sane have functioned best playing on the sides fit for their strongest legs - right and left respectively.
Mahrez had become one of the league's leading lights as a left-footed winger playing on the right. It was assumed that this would add a new dimension to the City attack.
Despite scoring 11 goals and creating 7 assists in 37 games so far, he has been guilty of slowing down the attack, over-elaborate dribbling, not working hard enough, and a sulky demeanour.
#3 Jorginho (Chelsea)
Another player who hasn't necessarily been as horrible as being portrayed, the Italian international has had a forgettable first season in the Premier League.
Brought in alongside Maurizio Sarri from Napoli, the £57 million regista was brought in with the expectation that he would ease the team's adaptation to the new manager's style - Sarriball.
As the heartbeat of the Napoli side, Jorginho dictated play from deep - shielding the defence, initiating attacks, and dictating the tempo.
Unfortunately, the setup at Chelsea has meant that his deficiencies have become more noticeable than they were in Serie A.
In Naples, the towering presence of Kalidou Koulibaly, Allan's industry, and the pacy attackers and fullbacks meant he was given multiple options every time he had the ball.
At Chelsea, the lack of pace from the fullbacks has meant Jorginho is forced to hold onto the ball for too long, thereby inviting pressure on an already unsteady defence.
The lack of guile in the midfield ahead of him (he had Marek Hamsik and Piotr Zielinski at Napoli) has not helped. Neither Marco Kovacic nor N'Golo Kante is exceptionally skilled or an amazing passer.
Chelsea fans will be hoping the 27-year-old comes good next season.
#2 Naby Keita (Liverpool)
Much was expected from the Guinean international following his long-awaited move from RB Leipzig.
The versatile midfielder had been on Jurgen Klopp's radar for a while now and after protracted negotiations, a £53 million deal was agreed in January last year with the player joining in the summer.
It has not been a happy first season in the Premier League for the 24-year-old. His explosive mix of strength, technique, intelligence, and stamina meant he was seen as the glue to knit the attack and midfield together.
It has not panned out as planned, as injuries and struggles for form have seen his game time limited, while fellow summer signing, Fabinho, has become a crucial part of the team after taking a while to bed in. Keita has been in-and-out.
He has played a peripheral role in the team's title charge with 25 appearances in all competitions (14 as starts). He has recorded no goal or assist, and will be eager to press the reset button on this campaign.
All stats via whoscored
#1 Fred (Manchester United)
When the Brazilian was 'snatched' from Manchester City, United fans were crowing all over social media on how they 'beat' their neighbours in the transfer market (second time after Alexis Sanchez).
Given how the season has panned out, the shoe is firmly on the other foot as City fans can now mock their red-wearing co-habitants.
Fred arrived with much fanfare (and an amazing unveiling video) after he joined from Shakhtar Donetsk for £52 million plus bonuses (rising potentially to £61 million).
His skills, tenacity, and intelligence were meant to serve as the perfect foil to allow Paul Pogba the freedom to create havoc further upfront.
This has not happened yet. He has looked slow, cumbersome, and unsure of his role especially during the dark days of the Jose Mourinho era.
Alongside the entire team, he looked like a very poor player under the Portuguese's management. This has improved somewhat under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but as yet, Fred is yet to show the form that saw him become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
