5 big-money summer signings who are yet to step up this season

Real Madrid's summer signing - Eden Hazard
Real Madrid's summer signing - Eden Hazard

It was a busy transfer window for football clubs across the top leagues in Europe this summer. Many records were broken and massive figures spent as European powerhouses beat one another to secure the signatures of the top superstars. From the likes of Lucas Hernandez, Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix to the likes of Luka Jovic, Joao Cancelo and Eden Hazard, many top players secured mega transfers this summer.

As expected, some of these signings have wasted no time in showing us what they've got. With their amazing performances, they continue to justify the decisions of their clubs to splash astronomical figures to acquire their services. Players like Rodri, Frenkie de Jong, and Romelu Lukaku have been shining bright for their respective clubs since the term kicked-off.

Meanwhile, there are also those who are yet to hit the ground running after sealing mega-transfers this summer. This category contains top stars whose contributions and level of performance haven't met expectations since the campaign kicked off. They are as follows:


#5 Matthijs De Ligt

De Ligt is yet to hit his top level in Turin
De Ligt is yet to hit his top level in Turin

After scoring the famous goal that sent Juventus packing from the UEFA Champions League in the quarterfinals last season, Dutch center back Matthijs De Ligt is now donning the black and white jersey of the Italian champions.

Courtesy of his brilliant performances for Ajax across all competitions during last term, the defender was lured to the Allianz Stadium in a big-money transfer worth €75 million this summer. He was expected to be an instant hit in Turin by the Old Lady's fans.

However, he has started his Juve career on a slow note and is yet to hit the level that earned him the attention of European powerhouses last seas. De Ligt had a debut to forget as he conceded an own goal just 10 minutes into his first game for the club in a preseason game against Inter Milan. He also endured a torrid time during the 4-3 victory over Napoli.

The defender was an unused substitute in Juve's Serie A opener against Parma. Although he has now featured 7 times for the Bianconeri this season, that has only been helped by the fact that Giorgio Chiellini has been on the sidelines since suffering a knee injury in August.

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#4 Nicolas Pepe

Adapting to life in the Premier League is proving tough for the winger
Adapting to life in the Premier League is proving tough for the winger

It was a brilliant outing for Nicolas Pepe in the Ligue 1 last season as he finished the campaign with an incredible 22 goals and 11 assists to his name from 38 appearances. Thanks to his exploits in the French top flight, the attacker earned a big-money transfer from Lille to Arsenal worth €80 million during the summer transfer window.

However, adapting life in the Premier League hasn't been an easy task for the the Ivorian winger. Pepe is yet to find his feet since he switched to the Emirates Stadium this summer. His performances have failed to convince in recent weeks, with the attacker criticised for lack of decisiveness and spurning of decent goalscoring chances.

He's scored just a goal and two assists for Arsenal in 10 appearances across all competitions so far this season. It becomes even more embarrassing to learn that his only effort for the Gunners came via a penalty kick against Aston Villa.

#3 Harry Maguire

The defender is having a slow start to life at Old Trafford
The defender is having a slow start to life at Old Trafford

In what ended up being the biggest Premier League transfer of the summer, Manchester United broke their transfer record by coughing out a whopping £85 million to seal the signing of English centre-back, Harry Maguire. With that fee, Maguire became the most expensive defender in history.

The Red Devils hoped they had secured their own version of Virgil van Dijk when they lured the former Leicester City man to Old Trafford. However, considering the developments so far, it appears that hope is still lurking at a distance.

Despite signing the Englishman, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's men have been one of the worst teams defensively in the Premier League this season. They've recorded three defeats and three draws from eight games so far, conceding a whopping eight goals in the process.

Maguire is yet to introduce the kind of impact The Red Devils expected of him. It appears United's defense is getting even worse despite having the Englishman on their side.

#2 Antoine Griezmann

Expectations are yet to be met since Griezmann's big move
Expectations are yet to be met since Griezmann's big move

French sharpshooter, Antoine Griezmann drew a lot of attention when he publicly snubbed a transfer to Barcelona during the summer of 2018. However, in a surprising turn of events this summer, the attacker finally agreed to join the Blaugrana in a mega-deal worth €120 million.

Given his immense talent and mammoth transfer fee, the ex-Atletico Madrid forward was expected to light up the Nou Camp by forming a deadly connection with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in attack. But, considering his exploits in Catalonia so far, he is yet to reach the expected heights.

Even though the Frenchman has bagged three goals in nine games so far, his brilliance has only appeared in flashes as he continues to struggle with adaptation to the club's system and forming an understanding with Messi. He was dropped for Ousmane Dembele in the last game against Sevilla and will need to step up his game to stabilize his place in the lineup.

#1 Eden Hazard

The Belgian is yet to get his Real Madrid career underway
The Belgian is yet to get his Real Madrid career underway

Real Madrid fans couldn't hide their happiness when the club completed the signing of long-time target, Eden Hazard from Chelsea during the summer. However, with the player still struggling to find his feet following his switch to the Spanish capital, the excitement has dropped low.

The Belgian was highlighted as the man to lead the charge for a revival at Santiago Bernabeu this season. Los Blancos were so convinced in his abilities that they splashed a whopping €100 million to secure his services. That investment is yet to produce promising results for Madrid this season.

Hazard has been plagued by injury and poor form since he became a Galactico in the summer transfer window. His return of just a goal and an assist from six games across all competitions isn't something that would delight the Los Blancos faithful.

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Edited by Emeka Monyei