Every transfer move is a gamble. As we know, though, footballers rarely make good gamblers, and for every successful switch there is a promising career crippled by the change of scenery. Whether motivated by a desire for trophies, acclaim or money, a player who demands a transfer takes his career into his own hands - often with disastrous results. For fans, few things are as satisfying as seeing a former hero fall flat on his arse at his next club, and Sport.co.uk takes a look some of those who may wish they hadn’t been quite so hasty…
1. Michael Owen
As kop idol and international wunderkind, the future looked bright for Michael Owen when he left Liverpool in 2004. 6 years, countless injuries, one humiliating dossier and a relegation later though, and Owen finds himself warming the bench of their greatest rivals, Manchester United. For Liverpool fans, the suspicion was that Owen’s decisions were all made with his international career in mind. How did that work out Michael?
2. Nicolas Anelka
A player who has scored goals for Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea should really claim to be among the greats. As it is, after successfully negotiating his Highbury exit in 1999, Le Sulk’s career has been decidedly average, stumbling through a succession of mid-table sides for the best part of a decade. Now enjoying success again at Stamford Bridge, Anelka may finally feel vindicated, but his form now only hints at what could have been during those lost nine years…
3. Gaizka Mendieta
Few players can have been in demand like Mendieta in 2001. After leading an unfancied Valencia side to successive Champions League finals, the midfielder was the hottest property on the continent. Lazio excitedly splashed out £29m on his services, but this was the start of a remarkable decline and just five years later the former ‘European Midfielder of the Year’ was languishing in the reserves at Middlesbrough.
4. Alexander Hleb
In many ways, Alexander Hleb was a perfect fit for Arsenal. Impeccable touch, vision and a bizarre reluctance to shoot marked him out as a key member of the side in his three years at the Emirates. As soon as Barcelona came sniffing, though, Hleb’s head was turned. After a bit-part role in last season’s successes, he now finds himself on loan at VfB Stuttgart, and it seems his Camp Nou dream may never quite materialise.
5. Francis Jeffers
It seems a long time ago that Francis Jeffers was touted as one of English Football’s most promising talents. After excelling at Everton, Jeffers secured a dream move to an Arsenal side containing the likes of Theirry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in 2001. Somewhat unsurprisingly, his chances were limited and a record of four goals in three years explains his subsequent drift into obscurity.
6. Stan Collymore
In truth, Collymore has made a career out of bad career decisions. After emerging at Nottingham Forest, he never really settled and swift departures from Forest, Liverpool and Aston Villa prevented the continuity that could have cultivated his talent. Luckily for Stan, his was a bow with multiple strings. Spells as film star, rap hero and reality TV mainstay were fleeting, but the tabloid favourite has now found an unlikely home as an ‘expert’ football pundit.
7. Andriy Shevchenko
At Dynamo Kiev and AC Milan, Shevchenko forged a reputation as one of the deadliest marksmen in the history of the game. At Chelsea, however, he went about pulling this reputation apart. A series of lacklustre, goal-less performances characterised an unhappy stay before he returned to Milan. But by this time the damage was done and after another poor season Shevchenko, presumably in the interests of symmetry, made the switch back to Kiev.
8. Mattieu Flamini
Poor old Flamini. After struggling for years as a bit-part player and utility man under Asene Wenger, he finally found his niche as the rough and tumble alongside Cesc Fabregas’ guile and vision in the Arsenal midfield. A year later though, and Flamini sealed a move to AC Milan - where he took up the role of bit-part player and utility man.
9. David Beckham
Few transfers can have matched the profile of Beckham’s switch to LA Galaxy. Amidst the fanfare and wads of cash flying about was a dire career move for a footballer who still had plenty to offer the highest level. A successful spell at Milan suggests as much, while Beckham’s futile courting of a permanent move to the San Siro betrays a man seriously doubting the merits of his American dream.
10. David Bentley
When Bentley moved to Blackburn in 2006, he re-invigorated a career stagnating at Arsenal and even brought himself into contention for an England spot. A relative stranger to modesty, Bentley then set his sights on the big-time. Unfortunately for him,though, his big-money move to Spurs has been notable only for one freak goal and succession of ridiculous hairstyles.