10 footballers ruined by big money moves to major clubs

#9 Alberto Aquilani

In August 2009, the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid left a giant hole in the Liverpool midfield. Manager Rafa Benitez signed Alberto Aquilani for a cool £17 million to fill that hole. Benitez claimed this to be a steal, considering the fact that Aquilani was injured when he signed.

The Italian came with a big reputation from his time in the Serie A, but signing an injured player always comes with risks. That meant Aquilani was never able to settle into the team, which when coupled with his further injuries, loss of form and low confidence, restricted him to just 26 appearances in a red shirt before he was shipped back to Italy on loan – three times.

One can only wonder what his impact at Liverpool could have been.