Ranking the Top 10 Biggest Premier League transfer flops of 2022-23 seasons

These players haven't been able to perform at their level best.

The 2022-23 transfer window was a complete rollercoaster ride. Almost every club broke its expenditure record. Chelsea, in particular, took it to the next level. They spent more than $600 million on new signings which is enough to tell the trend of clubs in this season's transfer market.

There were some surprising players whose fees were not predicted to be so high, such as Enzo Fernandez ($124 million) and Mykhaylo Mudryk ($72 million). There is always a tale of two businesses in the transfer market, whether new signings live up to expectations or fall under the pressure of price.

This year also, there are big names who failed to live up to expectations. Let's take a look at the top 10 biggest transfer flops of the 2022/23 season:

10. Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)

Spence was one of the high prospective signings of Antonio Conte this season in the summer transfer window. He was seen as the heir of Tottenham Hotspurs' old-looking midfield but Spence failed to capitalize on his impressive spell at Nottingham Forest in the 2021/22 season. Spence signed for Lillywhites for £20 million. Rennes took him on loan after making only four appearances and failing to impress Conte.

9. Gianluca Scamacca (West Ham United)

West Ham United showcased big intent in the 2022/23 summer Transfer Window with big signings of players like Lucas Paqueta, Maxwell Cornet, Thilo Kehrer, and Gianluca Scamacca was also one of the high profile names with a staggering $37 million price tag. The Italian was brought in by David Moyes to solve their goal-scoring problems. Though, Scamacca only failed to net three goals in 16 appearances.

8. Thilo Kehrer (West Ham United)

Just like Gianluca Scamacca, Thilo Kehrer was also one of the big signings from foreign leagues by West Ham United to solve their defensive woes. The Ex-PSG right back, however, failed to stand with the pace of the English Premier League. He has 16 appearances for Hammers in the League and is yet to produce any assists or even a good defensive display.

7. Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea)

It has been a tradition for Kalidou Koulibaly's name to be linked to Premier League clubs every season. He has been linked to Manchester United and Manchester City in the past couple of transfer windows. However, his dream of playing in the Premier League was realised this season when he signed for Chelsea. However, the Senegalese defender has struggled to justify his $39 million price tag. He has often fallen behind the pace of the Premier League.

6. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)

Marc Cucurella was one of the most surprising big deals of summer 2022/23 transfer window. The Spanish signed with blues for a record $67 million after a transfer tussle with Manchester City. Cucurella seen as a like-to-like replacement for injured Ben Chillwell at the start of the season for Chelsea but Cucurella hasn't been able to stitch the same magic as Brighton at Stamford Bridge. 

5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Chelsea)

Pierre Aubameyang's career in the last year has been a complete roller coaster ride. The Gabonese striker has gone from Arsenal's main man to Barcelona's striker to Chelsea's new number 9 in the last three transfer windows. But failed to make his name at all three clubs. He arrived at Stamford Bridge for $12 million and has only successfully netted one goal in 11 appearances.

4. Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa)

Philippe Coutinho's career graph found a new ray of hope last season with an impressive loan spell at Aston Villa. The club made his stay permanent for $21 million this summer. But the Brazilian's return to the Premier League hasn't turned out to be a fairytale redemption. Coutinho is yet to provide any assists or score any goal in 18 appearances for them this season.

3. Raheem Sterling (Chelsea)

Raheem Sterling's transfer to Chelsea this season was seen as a big step in the Englishman's career to establish his supremacy after coming out of the shadow of Manchester City's glamour and Pep Guardiola. The Blues signed him for $58 million and looked all set to take up the lead role in Chelsea's attack. But Sterling has failed to live up to expectations with only four goals and two assists from 16 appearances this season.

2. Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)

Kalvin Phillips was ranked as one of England's best midfielders one season back. He was an integral part of Leeds United and the English National Team but after arriving at Etihad for $50 million, his career has taken a big drop. The English midfielder has made only three appearances for Manchester City with not even a single start. Phillips has been plagued with injuries but he also has been criticized for his overweight issues which has played a big role in his torrid time at Manchester City.

1. Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspurs)

The Brazillian was a big-money signing for Tottenham Hotspurs this summer for $60 million. The Brazilian forward signed for them after consistently proving his mettle with Everton and Watford in the Premier League. He was seen as the missing piece of Tottenham Hotspurs' squad and was expected to form a terrifying trio with Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son. But the Brazilian is yet to score a single goal for Tottenham Hotspurs.