Here are eight of the biggest disappointments from the campaign that just wrapped up:
Yeah, I know. He wasn't a 2025-26 signing, but his inclusion here isn't about his arrival, it's about his continued inability to justify that monstrous fee. In 28 league appearances this season, Fernandez managed just one goal and two assists. For a central midfielder bought to dictate play and offer creative spark, those numbers are abysmal. He completed 87% of his passes, which sounds good on paper, but too often those were sideways or backward, killing momentum. He's often caught between being a holding midfielder and a box-to-box presence, excelling at neither. The energy is there, the intent is sometimes there, but the tangible output for a club that spent north of £1 billion in two years simply isn't. He looks increasingly like a player burdened by his price tag, constantly trying to do too much, or conversely, not enough. The World Cup glow has long faded, leaving behind a player who looks lost in the Chelsea midfield carousel.
Another carryover, I hear you say. And another player who, despite flashes, utterly failed to live up to the hype and price. Højlund finished the 2025-26 season with a measly five Premier League goals in 29 appearances, adding just two assists. His expected goals (xG) stood at 8.9, suggesting he was getting into decent positions, but his finishing was woefully inconsistent. He often looked isolated, yes, but there were too many instances of snatching at chances or making the wrong decision in the box. United’s attacking struggles aren't all on him, but a £72 million striker has to convert. He’s quick, he’s strong, but that composure in front of goal? Still missing. It’s hard to remember a truly impactful, match-winning performance from him this season. United needed a clinical No. 9, and they're still waiting.
Newcastle finally splashing the cash on a top-tier center-back seemed like a no-brainer. Kounde arrived from Barcelona with a stellar reputation, a ball-playing defender perfect for Eddie Howe's system. But it just never clicked. In 22 league starts, Kounde picked up five yellow cards and was directly at fault for three goals conceded, according to Opta. His passing accuracy dipped to 89%, lower than his Barca average, and he often looked hesitant under pressure. Maybe it was the physicality of the Premier League, maybe it was the constant tactical adjustments, but Kounde never looked comfortable. He seemed to lose a yard of pace and his decision-making was uncharacteristically poor, especially in the big games. A £65 million defender needs to be a rock, a leader. Kounde was neither.
Spurs needed a striker, badly. They thought they'd found their man in Gyökeres after his prolific run in Portugal. Sixty million quid is a lot for a player who’d never tested himself at this level. His return? Seven goals in 31 league appearances, with three of those coming against bottom-half teams. His hold-up play was decent, but his movement in the box often looked laboured, and he struggled against more organized defenses. His shot conversion rate was a dismal 11%. For a striker, that's not good enough. He never quite gelled with Son and Kulusevski, often looking like a square peg in a round hole in Ange Postecoglou's free-flowing attack. He worked hard, yes, but the goals simply weren't there when Spurs needed them most.
Liverpool's midfield needed an injection of grit and creativity, and Barella was supposed to be the answer, a seasoned international from Inter Milan. Fifty-five million pounds for a central midfielder should bring consistent 8/10 performances. Instead, Barella delivered a mixed bag. In 26 league games, he contributed just one goal and four assists. His defensive work rate was commendable (averaging 2.3 tackles per game), but his trademark driving runs and incisive passing were largely absent. He picked up six yellow cards, often for cynical fouls when out of position, and seemed to struggle with the relentless pace of the Premier League. He was supposed to be the engine, but too often he felt like he was running on fumes, making very little impact in the final third. A definite step down from his Serie A form.
Arsenal brought in Guéhi from Crystal Palace, hoping he'd be the perfect complement to Saliba and Gabriel, providing depth and quality. Fifty million for a center-back is a statement. But Guéhi’s season was plagued by injuries and inconsistency. He only made 17 league appearances, starting 12 of them. In that time, he averaged fewer aerial duels won than Gabriel and looked shaky on the ball under pressure, completing only 88% of his passes, down from his Palace numbers. When he did play, he often looked a step behind, misjudging clearances or getting caught out of position. He was supposed to be a ready-made solution, but he spent more time on the treatment table or on the bench than on the pitch making a difference. A big gamble that didn't pay off for the Gunners.
United’s ongoing midfield issues saw them shell out £45 million for Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana, a powerful defensive midfielder. He was supposed to be the ballast, the destroyer. In 25 league appearances, Fofana averaged just 1.8 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game – decent, but not the major numbers you'd expect for that price. More concerning was his passing, often safe and lacking invention, with a forward pass percentage of just 35%. He picked up seven yellow cards, often for being a half-step late. He's physical, sure, but he often looked overwhelmed by the pace and intensity of Premier League midfields. He struggled to dictate play or even reliably break it up against top opposition. Another expensive United midfield acquisition that just didn't cut it.
Forest smashed their transfer record to sign Johnson permanently after his loan spell, believing he was the attacking force to push them up the table. Forty-seven and a half million pounds for a winger who struggled with consistency even in the Championship. That was the first red flag. This season, in 33 league games, Johnson scored a paltry four goals and provided three assists. His dribble success rate was just 42%, and he often ran into cul-de-sacs. He has pace, no doubt, but his decision-making in the final third was consistently poor, either choosing the wrong pass or blasting shots wide. He looked like a player trying too hard to justify his fee, leading to hurried decisions and wasted opportunities. For a team battling relegation, they needed someone to step up. Johnson frequently disappeared.
It's a tough league, the Premier League. The money is obscene, and the pressure is immense. Some players thrive, some buckle. This season, these eight buckled hard. And my hot take? Chelsea will be looking to offload Fernandez by the summer of 2027, even if it means taking a colossal loss. Mark it down.
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