How Angel Di Maria’s Big Ticket Transfer Never Took Off

The Premier League, over the past two decades has been the most lavish spender in the transfer market. Every year, a number of new faces walk through the Premier League door. Some walk in for cheap, while others cost astronomical sums.

A new signing comes to fruition after fulfilling the numerous criteria set out by the club. The managers and club hierarchy work extremely hard behind the scenes to lay out these benchmarks and identify the perfect additions to their squad. It is only after hours and hours of scouting a particular player that the green light is given.

Despite all these safeguards, there have been several signings who have failed to take off and make their mark on the club. The problem is magnified by the enormous sums of money spent on such players.

The Premier League has shown time and again that the money spent is not always equivalent to the output. This article tries to reinforce the notion and look at five big-money signings that failed to fire and left the clubs scratching their heads at the investment undertaken. The transfers considered are those that have taken place in the 21st century.

Angel Di Maria arrived in Manchester after the conclusion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He had played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph in May. Hence, his move away from the Bernabeu left the footballing fraternity stunned.

Di Maria initially hit the ground running, and those who saw his chip against Leicester would savour memories of a genius at work. However, his stint in Manchester went downhill and he was left questioning his decision to move.

Louis Van Gaal and his system didn’t allow Di Maria to play to his strengths. He was defending more often than troubling the defenders with his mazy running. Though he still contributed ten assists in his only season at United, he was a far cry from the player who had single-handedly won Real Madrid the Champions League final, a few months ago.

Manchester United invested a lot of money to get him on board, breaking the British transfer record in the process. Thus, their decision to not capitalise on his strengths, left the Old Trafford faithful scratching their heads.

Di Maria cost an absolute fortune, yet he left after a solitary season, without influencing the Premier League as he would’ve liked. It is for these reasons that he takes the No.4 slot.

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