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The section of the beautiful game that concerns with the trading of players has seen a flabbergasting change in terms of importance, rise and budgets. Values of players, financial blueprints of clubs and the burgeoning demands of world football have fueled this dumbfounding increase in transfer business.
The year 2018 has come to an end and the European giants have meant business. By business, we mean serious homework on the transfer table. From Cristiano Ronaldo's staggering switch to Juventus to Alisson Becker's key move to Liverpool, we have seen some smashing moves over the course of the calendar year.
While some teams have fixed their fractures with the right plasters, others are looking at a long-term goal. A few others have just purchased players who are yet to find their feet. And another set of individuals have simply let themselves, their standards, their fans and their club down.
On that note, let's take a look at 5 transfer flops of the year 2018.
#5 Douglas Costa
After a fine loan spell at Juventus, Douglas Costa penned a permanent deal of £35m with the Italian giants. For a player with the pace, precision and explosive nature such as his, not many expected him to endure a season full of substitute appearances that wouldn't pose a major threat to the opponents.
However, the Brazilian has only started on four occasions for the Old Lady in the league. Off the bench 10 times, suspended for four matches and one game as an unused substitute have summed up Costa's season so far. Much to his frustration, the 28-year-old has only created two goals and is not off the mark yet for the season, despite having made 18 appearances.
He has often been too safe with his passing; something you'd not expect from a direct player such as Douglas Costa. The former Shakhtar forward has failed to find that rhythm he had while in Germany.
At the age of 28, with the best years under his belt, Costa must step up and provide returns for Max Allegri's side and himself.
#4 Cenk Tosun
Cenk Tosun's blistering goal-scoring run in the Turkish Super Lig attracted major interest from a host of bigger clubs in Europe, including Everton, who snapped him up for a whopping £27 million on 5 January.
Right from his very first outing for the Toffees, the Turkish international's poor work rate, inconsistent finishing and average running ability of the ball came under serious scrutiny from the critics and pundits. Owing to his finishing prowess, Tosun received starts right from the word go.
However, the player tipped to rescue a struggling Everton side just couldn't find the back of the net. With a pass success rate of just over 70, five scratchy goals in 991 minutes and an average of just one shot on goal per game, Tosun ended the 2017-18 season on a negative note.
His lack of goals led to the big money move of Richarlison, who has not only grabbed his opportunity with both hands but might just have ended Tosun's stint at Goodison Park.
#3 Fred
Fred was announced as the latest recruitment at Manchester United by the club on 5 June and his performances this season have been just one of the many reasons for the Red Devils' struggles.
Although he boasts a fine passing rate and a couple of direct involvements in goals, the Brazilian's big money move has seen more bad than good for the team, as he has failed to absorb the pace of the Premier League, an aspect seen in many of the matches where he's totally switched off while defending.
Poor displays exerted a gloomy influence of such degree that he wasn't even included in the matchday squad many a time. Consequentially, the midfielder has played just 10 league games.
Under new boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Fred has started one game but was hauled off just before the hour mark because his alertness levels started to perish as the game wore on.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
The second worst signing of the season is Alexis Sanchez. To say the least, Sanchez has been a pale shadow of the player we saw at Arsenal. Few feuds and the aim to win trophies instigated the winger's switch to Manchester United, which saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan go the other way. However, he has failed to hit the ground running.
More so, neither has Sanchez showcased his dribbling skills nor has he popped up in key areas for his side. No other winger in the team has been dispossessed at the rate he has. To add to his misery, the 30-year-old has only completed 73% of his attempted passes.
Further, injuries and poor work rate saw him pushed down the pecking order. At the moment, with Rashford, Martial, Lingard and Mata all responding to the new manager's demands, it is safe to say that not many Manchester United supporters are missing their marquee winter signing.
#1 Malcom
And the dishonourable winner of the worst transfer of the year goes to... FC Barcelona, for the transfer of Malcom!
It almost seems like the starlet has played lesser minutes than the number of millions Barcelona spent on him. At least in the Champions League, it is the truth - as Malcom has played for a brief 30 minutes, six minutes lesser than his price of £36 million.
In LaLiga, the 21-year-old has only mustered 97 (5 appearances) minutes or so and is yet to get off the mark. In the UCL, he has a goal to his name, as well as in the cup.
Malcom has sporadically produced moments of brilliance from the wider areas, but an average observer too can tell that from the onus of getting into the box to the defensive duties, the winger has loads to learn.
It's not just about expressing oneself from the flanks, but a lot more that goes into being a part of the Barcelona DNA.
