Premier League Transfers: Ranking the 20 Worst Deals so Far

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A lot of moves in and out of the clubs in the English Premier League this summer have been rather debatable.

Whether it be the price for the player, or his lack of experience or age, it has been one disapproving story after another for so many of this summers movers and shakers.

All that has prompted a quick look at some of the worst signings that have been discussed this summer.

The criteria is not necessarily based on skill or talent, but it can also be based on overpayment and likelihood of success for the player.

Now that we have that discussed, here is a look at 20 of the worst deals in the EPL so far.

Stewart Downing to Liverpool

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This summer Liverpool proved that they were going to get whom they wanted no matter the cost. Stewart Downing is one of the several players that the Reds seem to have largely overpaid for.

Liverpool's new winger had some bright spots in the Reds' home opener but he will truly be tested at Arsenal this coming Saturday.

However, the going rate for English talent seems to have dictated the market and the Reds have only themselves to blame after paying £35 million to Newcastle for Andy Carroll.

Phil Jones to Manchester United

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Phil Jones is going to have the chance to prove he was worth all £16.5 million of the transfer fee paid to Blackburn Rovers for him this summer.

Injuries to both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand on opening day will thrust Jones and fellow youngster Chris Smalling into the limelight.

Jones has only one season of EPL first-team experience under his belt with Blackburn Rovers leaving him still truly unseasoned.

The first run of five games to follow against Tottenham, Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea and ever-battling Stoke City are going to make or break his first true evaluation at the back for the defending champions.

David De Gea to Manchester United

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While I do not believe De Gea is horrible in the long run, I do believe that United have overpaid for him considering the shakiness he has shown in his opening matches.

Edin Dzeko embarrassed him completely in the Community Shield, and he had another similarly humbling appearance against West Brom.

His age, despite his success at Atletico Madrid, is really hampering his poise at the moment. I think it will take at least a full season to see him really settle in, but that could harm the Red Devils if he makes too many mistakes.

Jordan Henderson to Liverpool

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As much as I truly appreciate the effort and cash influx that Liverpool's owners have poured into the club this summer, Jordan Henderson has a lot to prove before he is anything but one of the worst deals so far this summer.

The young English star did little to impress at the U21 European Championships and despite his two seasons of experience in the Sunderland first team, he still has a lot to learn before he improves to a great signing.

Kevin Nolan to West Ham

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Although he left the Premier League, the loss of an 11-goal scoring midfielder and your captain can be a blow. While Nolan reportedly wanted out of Newcastle United, the Magpies failed to cash in on his goal-scoring exploits as they sold him for £4 million, the same price he was purchased from Bolton Wanderers for.

The departure of Nolan left the midfield to be anchored by a volatile Joey Barton and a newcomer in Yohan Cabaye. Losing Nolan will be felt in more than several games and places this season for the Toon, mark my words.

Jonathan Woodgate to Stoke City

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Based on his past three seasons, Jonathan Woodgate could be one of the worst signings of the season in anyone's eyes. He only made 49 appearances for Tottenham from 2008-11, as he was constantly injured and in recovery.

If he stays healthy, he could prove a great pickup at a killer value for the Potters. The problem is, what is the likelihood that he is not injured within the first few months?

Stefan Savic to Manchester City

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Stefan Savic is a hard signing to judge for the Citizens. He could be the future of their defense once Joleon Lescott ages out, but the 20-year-old former Partizan Belgrade defender has already been dumped by one English Premier League squad before when he was shown the door at Arsenal last season.

His £6 million signing by City could be some of the best or worst money they spend this season as his inconsistency due to his age could cause problems if he is forced to deputize too soon.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Arsenal

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The Gunners splashed a major wad of cash valued at around 12 million on this 17-year-old overhyped starlet before they were thought to have the money to do so.

Arsene Wenger angered fans with the signing of another unproven youth during the crisis of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri looking to be on the way out.

With Fabregas now gone, the Frenchman will have money to recover from this huge outlay that may be a total waste.

Conor Wickham to Sunderland

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Conor Wickham is one of many English players that benefited his former club for that very fact. Homegrown players were at a premium this year and the player's 8-million-Euro move from Ipswich Town to Sunderland is another telling sign of the times in the market.

Believed to be highly overvalued, he was in a tug of war between Liverpool and Sunderland for over a month. Monetarily he was a hefty ransom for Steve Bruce, and until he proves he was worth it he will be a pretty bad deal for the Wearsiders.

Brad Friedel to Tottenham

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Tottenham truly needed to add a better shot-stopper to the club. However, Brad Freidel is already 40 years old and he is not a permanent solution for Spurs.

At the best, he is a good stopgap, but he is a poor signing when you look at the future that the London Club is hoping to achieve. Their failure to add any strength this summer does not look good for them.

Anthony Pilkington to Norwich City

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Anthony Pilkington has a lot to prove before he can come off of this list. He joined Norwich City from League 1 side Huddersfield Town.

It is a long jump in skill from the lower leagues to the top tier of English football, and the signing of Pilkington does not seem to be one that will help Norwich avoid the drop.

Gareth McAuley to West Bromwich Albion

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Gareth McAuley joined West Bromwich Albion from Ipswich Town this summer. The Northern Ireland defender failed to make the bench for his new club.

At 31 years old, he may not have the time to grow into a primary first-team player to help the Baggies improve upon their finish last season.

His time in the Championship has proven his ability to stay healthy in a long season, but that will not be enough to make him a better signing.

David Jones to Wigan Athletic

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It is hard to say what David Jones will do to improve a weakening Wigan Athletic side.

In his last two seasons at Wolverhampton Wanderers, he did not total 30 starting appearances out of a possible 76.

In that time he also was minimally productive and proved he was surplus to requirements when he was let go after last season.

Jones is likely to do little to make Wigan Athletic a team that can stay up this season.

Bruno Ribeiro to Blackburn Rovers

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Bruno Ribeiro has spent nearly his entire career in the Brazilian footballing leagues. The free agent signed a three-year deal with Blackburn Rovers this summer with an option for a fourth season.

He is unproven in England or in Europe and it remains to be seen if the right back is a quality signing over time. The pace of the Brazilian game could be helpful, but he will have to make an adjustment to be ready for the physical nature of the English Premier League.

David Vaughan to Sunderland

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David Vaughan joined Sunderland from Blackpool as one of the several Tangerines to escape the drop back to the Championship after they failed to maintain a spot in the English top flight.

It is interesting to see Vaughan come into the squad because it is unclear how he is set to better the team.

Steve Bruce's additions of Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardner are far superior than the addition of Vaughan who came on to relieve Larsson at the 81st minute Saturday after his equalizing wonder strike against Liverpool.

Tyrone Mears to Bolton Wanderers

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Owen Coyle brought Tyrone Mears to his new club Bolton Wanderers this offseason from Burnley FC. Means was a mainstay in Coyle's Burnley side that had a one-and-done season in the English Premier League in 2009-10.

Coyle left the club in midseason to take over at Bolton, and has proved a shrewd manager since. However, at 28 years old, Mears does not add youth to the defense and if Gary Cahill is prized away, Mears is not of that calibre to take up the mantle.

Mears will be little more than a backup, it seems, for the Trotters.

James Vaughan to Norwich City

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Despite nine goals and two assists in 28 appearances for Crystal Palace last season, Everton still were not impressed with James Vaughan in any way.

The forward, now 23, has never been able to break into the Everton first team on a regular basis and he does not seem to have the mettle to cut it with David Moyes.

He is a Championship-level player in the eyes of many and I can't see him being a better partner to Grant Holt than fellow newcomer Steve Morrison.

Bruno Perone to Queens Park Rangers

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Bruno Perone is a little know acquisition for Queens Park Rangers. The Brazilian spent last season on loan in Liga Segunda, the second division of Spanish football, but has no true achievements of note.

His one month trial according to BBC seems to be what got him signed, but he is vastly under-experienced and I see him being a Premier League flop.

Daniel Gabbidon to Queens Park Rangers

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Queens Park Rangers have yet another poor signing on the list with Daniel Gabbidon. Another of the aged-out West Ham outcasts that they have picked, the 32-year-old has not been a primary first-team player since 2005-06 in his first year with the Hammers.

This opening weekend he proved why Sam Allardyce felt he would let him go. If he is not good enough for a Championship side, then he is definitely not good enough for a Premiership side.

Neil Warnock, you are only biding your time. Sorry your owners will not give you any funds.

Kieron Courtney Dyer to Queens Park Rangers

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Unfortunately for Queens Park Rangers, there truly is not a worse transfer than the Hoops' signing of Kieron Courtney Dyer from West Ham.

Dyer has only made 47 appearances in all competitions—including substitution cameos—in the last four years. In that time he has only started 18 of those games.

He spent the best years of his career at Newcastle United from 2002-07 despite being sidelined for nearly all of 2005-06.

However, he proved once again this weekend that his body is just not physically up to the task anymore, as he was stretchered off on his home debut when his club were demolished 4-0 by Bolton Wanderers.

 

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