In European football, there are two transfer windows every season. These windows are the only time that clubs are allowed to sign contracted players – free agents can be signed at any time of the season. Players can be bought permanently from another club or brought in temporarily on loan.

Due to the ludicrous amounts of money in sports nowadays, these windows give soccer clubs a chance to recklessly spend their millions. Arguably, no league has proven themselves to be as good at spending money on players that turn out to be pretty much useless as the English Premier League.

The criteria for a bad signing consists of four main factors: price, expectation, success on the pitch, and longevity with the club. Usually, one or two of these factors can justify the transfer if the others are bad, but there’s not one case on this list where you can look at the move and go ‘Actually, that wasn’t that bad.’

Ranking factors

• Games that the player managed to feature in.
• The total money spent on the player – transfer fee/wages.
• How much return on investment the club received.

Some honourable mentions are players like Fernando Torres and Mario Balotelli. They have both had more than respectable careers, but their big-money moves to Chelsea and Liverpool respectively didn’t live up to expectations. However, they weren’t quite as bad as this group though.

20

Eric Djemba-Djemba

£4.1m to Manchester United

The Cameroonian is a regular custodian of these lists, but, even considering the player that he turned out to be, his price tag wasn’t a huge hit for the Red Devils. He was 21 when he signed for the club, and he was potentially being lined up to replace club legend, and captain, Roy Keane.

That never came to be, and his former teammate, Rio Ferdinand, succinctly summed up the midfielder’s time with the club when he was asked about Djemba’s time at United. His response, on the Filthy Fellas podcast, was: “He’s a nice guy, man.” A rather dismissive way to talk about a former teammate, as a player.

19

Davy Klaassen

£23.6m to Everton

The Dutch midfielder was the epitome of the Toffees’ bad spending over the last decade. He joined the club from Ajax in the summer of 2017. The Dutch side is renowned for the ability to produce good technical footballers, but Davy Klaassen didn’t prove to be one of them.

In total, he started just three matches in the Premier League for Everton and came off the bench in four other league games. He left the club the following summer to join German club Werder Bremen. This move, plus going back to Ajax and joining Inter Milan in the summer of 2023, showed there was a good player there; it just didn’t work at Everton.

18

Wesley Fofana

£75m to Chelsea

You can imagine just how loaded Chelsea have been throughout most of the Premier League era with how many times they’ve appeared so far, and there’s more to come. Wesley Fofana, at one time, looked like one of the best young defenders that the Premier League had to offer. The only concern was his injury record.

Fofana, one of the most expensive centre-backs in football history, had suffered serious injuries leading up to his move to Chelsea, and it’s become even worse since joining them. The 24-year-old signed for the club at the end of the 2022 summer transfer window, and he’s only played in 54 league games since.

17

Jack Grealish

£100m to Manchester City

After years of strutting his stuff for Aston Villa – and with everyone eventually tiring of the endlessly repeated statistic about him being the most-fouled player in the Premier League season after season – Jack Grealish finally secured a £100 million move to Manchester City in 2021.

It felt deserved, and he quickly justified the hype by helping the Cityzens to an unprecedented treble in just his second season. But the two campaigns that followed were flat, and his swagger all but disappeared. Across those final two league seasons at the Etihad, he managed only four goals – a meagre return for a nine-figure signing who was expected to deliver consistent impact. His days at Man City look numbered after he spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Everton.

16

Nicolas Pepe

£72m to Arsenal

The Ivory Coast international certainly came with great expectation, but he struggled to live up to the club’s record fee at the time. That record was broken in the summer transfer window of 2023 when they signed midfielder Declan Rice from fellow Premier League team West Ham United.

By no means was Pepe an awful player for the Gunners; he scored 16 league goals over his three Premier League seasons with the club. But, if a club is going to shell out money like that, they rightly expect a team-altering return on their investment, and Arsenal didn’t get that.

15

Jack Rodwell

£11.3m to Sunderland

The former Manchester City midfielder was a personification of Sunderland’s problems during his time with the club. Sunderland were relegated to the second tier of English soccer (the Championship) in 2017. The 17/18 season saw the club be relegated again, in which time he played two games whilst collecting a reported £70,000 per week, as per ESPN.

Even when they went down to the third tier, he was still set to make £43,000 a week before they mutually agreed to cancel his contract. Jack Rodwell will forever be remembered in that part of the world for the negative effect that he had on the club, and he – also regarded as one of the biggest flops in Premier League history – was immortalised in the Netflix series ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’.

14

Angel Di Maria

£67.5m to Manchester United

Angel di Maria has enjoyed a very successful career in the sport, with plenty of silverware to attest to his brilliance, but this is not a period he’ll want to remember. A move to England from Real Madrid looked to be yet another big step in his career. The opening month was promising. He won the club’s Player of the Month award, but he never rekindled that form after picking up an injury.

The winger later admitted, to the Spanish newspaper Marca, that he never even wanted to join the club, and an attempted robbery of his home in February 2015 made his desire to stay at the club even less. He was bought by Paris Saint-Germain a year after joining.

13

Tanguy Ndombele

£63m to Tottenham

Signed in 2019 for a then-club-record fee, Ndombele showed glimpses of his talent but never found consistency. His work rate and fitness were repeatedly criticised by managers, and he was loaned out multiple times. Despite the massive outlay, Spurs failed to get the best out of him, making Ndombele one of their worst-ever signings.

Ndombele’s failings seemed to be caused all by himself, too. He had all the ability in the world, but his attitude was what separated him from becoming world-class. He was Tottenham’s highest-earner alongside Harry Kane at one point. But he was eventually released and signed for Nice in Ligue 1, meaning the north London club didn’t even manage to recoup any wasted fees spent on him,

12

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£71.8m to Chelsea

Chelsea broke the world record for the amount paid to sign a goalkeeper when they bought Kepa Arrizabalaga, in 2018. The then-23-year-old immediately had the weight of the world on his shoulders; expected to have the maturity to help lead the team to great things in years to come. It didn’t work.

What people might remember him most famously for is him refusing to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final (see above). Manager Maurizio Sarri was barking at him from the sidelines to try and get him off, to bring on Willy Caballero. The Spaniard refused, and his team went on to lose the final. He joined Arsenal in 2025 after they met the £5 million release clause in his contract.

11

Andriy Shevchenko

£39.5m to Chelsea

The flight from Milan to London seemed to drain the Ukrainian forward of all the brilliance that he’d shown previously in his career. The money they paid for him was a British transfer record at the time, and the striker was set to take Didier Drogba’s place in the team; that didn’t happen.

The aforementioned Drogba got back in rhythm and Andriy Shevchenko was never able to dislodge him. He scored just nine goals for the club. His career, prior to the move to London, was a flourishing one, which made it all the more disappointing that he wasn’t able to recreate those good times with Chelsea.

CM Punk has not made an appearance on WWE television since the night after WrestleMania 42 on Monday Night Raw. The five-week absence has caused many fans to speculate on when he will return, and the possible reasons behind his absence. However, a new report has shed some light on the matter.

The former World Heavyweight Champion’s last appearance was during Monday Night Raw on the 20th of April, just a night after he lost the title to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. In the aftermath of that episode, he had a confrontation with Cody Rhodes that, to many, implied the start of a future rivalry and potential showdown, but he has instead disappeared from WWE’s scheduling entirely.

It was believed by many that WWE had reached a creative conclusion for Punk and simply had no plans on where to take him next. According to WrestleVotes, however, that rumour has no credence to it.

CM Punk’s WWE TV Absence Explained

In a WrestleVotes radio discussion on Fightful Select, it was stated: “It is not true that WWE has no plans for CM Punk and that that’s the reason that he’s not being featured.”

The report went on to say that the Second City Saint’s absence was owed to what was described as a well-earned break. He has had a demanding schedule since his character’s return in 2023, where he has made frequent television appearances. It is believed that when he does return to WWE programming, he will feature near the top of the card again.

Joe Camporeale via Imagn Images

While a planned break is what led to Punk’s respite, the WWE landscape has shifted dramatically following WrestleMania 42. With Jacob Fatu arriving on Raw and Gunther moving to SmackDown, creative tracks have started to lead off in different directions. With Fatu, Gunther, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns all in the main frame, WWE believed it was best to not force Punk into an already congested picture and instead opt for a short hiatus.

CM Punk’s Possible Feud Upon Return

Should Punk return soon, one of the creative directions being considered is the rivalry between “The Best in the World” and Seth Rollins. Punk has a turbulent history with Rollins, with the pair often involved in tense confrontations since the former’s return in 2023.

It is not known whether a potential dispute between the two would be personal or involve championship stakes, but speculation is mounting that their conflict will form a fundamental element of Raw’s storytelling heading into summer.

While Punk isn’t currently on television screens, he still occupies the minds of fans and WWE alike. With it being rumoured that WWE are already planning his return, where a comeback leading up to SummerSlam involving a showdown against Rollins is a possibility, fans will no doubt be keen to see the return of Punk to TV.

The 2026 World Cup will be watched by millions of fans this summer, with many heading to the United States, Canada, and Mexico to experience all the highs, lows, and unmissable drama of the biggest sports competition on the planet.

16 stadiums across North America will play host to the competition’s

throughout June and July, with 104 matches set to be contested. But just because the World Cup is taking place in North America, doesn’t mean that the party stays in North America.

Watch parties and fan zones are popping up all over the globe — and London is no exception. With England fans hoping that the tournament will deliver the first World Cup trophy in 60 years, pubs, sports bars, and even a few private venues will be welcoming fans hoping to soak up an atmosphere like no other.

So, whether you’re donning your favourite waistcoat or hoping to holler Vindaloo until your throat is hoarse, here are the best World Cup fan zones on offer in London.

Flat Iron Square

Andrew Couldridge via Reuters

Area of London: Central

Postcode: SE1 9HP

Nearest Tube Stations: London Bridge, Southwark, and Borough

Size: 420 capacity

Cost for Entry: Free

Flat Iron Square earned its reputation as one of London’s most exciting venues during Euro 2024, and it looks well-placed to maintain its standing at this year’s World Cup. The venue’s open structure and 19 screens lends itself well to big groups. The focal point is the massive screen in the main bar, making the action unmissable from every angle. Add continuous live entertainment and 16 beers to choose from, and you’re onto a winner.

Boxpark

David Klein via Reuters

Area of London: Multiple locations

Postcode: Multiple locations

Nearest Tube Stations: Shoreditch High Street Overground Station, Wembley Park Tube Station, East Croydon Train Station, Camden Town Tube Station

Size: Shoreditch (499 capacity), Wembley (2,000 capacity), Croydon (2,000 capacity), Camden (500 capacity)

Cost for Entry: Generally free, but an entry fee may be required for high-demand events

If you’ve seen beer-soaked fans celebrating the latest England goal on social media, it was probably happening at a Boxpark. And with four locations across the city in Shoreditch, Wembley, Croydon, and Camden, you’re never far away from one either. The open-air Boxpark venues are perfect for big groups hoping to bask in the British sun, with bookings for groups of 25 people or more encouraged. Come for the beer and the big screens, stay for the priceless atmosphere when that first goal goes in.

Vinegar Yard

Area of London: Central

Postcode: SE1 3QU

Nearest Tube Stations: London Bridge and Borough

Size: 400 capacity

Cost for Entry: £15.40

There’s something special about watching sports in green outside spaces. And Vinegar Yard has built itself into a popular destination for football supporters seeking a special fan zone experience. With a 400-person capacity, this venue suits both big groups or individuals just hoping to be a part of the World Cup atmosphere. Your affordable £15.40 ticket comes with your first drink included. And the only thing as vibrant as the luscious, garden-like space is the food on offer. Food vendors are on hand to deliver cuisine from every corner of the globe. Rather apt for a World Cup fan zone experience.

KERB Social Club

Area of London: East

Postcode: E1 6EW

Nearest Tube Stations: Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street

Size: 120 capacity

Cost for Entry: £12 for England games, free for other World Cup fixtures

The best thing you can say about KERB Social is its versatility. A venue that is equal parts pub, equal parts sports bar, fans can also opt for private watch parties in one of the club’s exclusive rooms. It allows for an almost customisable experience. Entry for England games is just £12 and for every other fixture admission is free. And with the World Cup partly taking place in the United States, perhaps this sports bar is the ideal spot for your fan zone this summer.

Box Piccadilly

Area of London: Central

Postcode: W1D 7ED

Nearest Tube Stations: Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus

Size: 550 capacity

Cost for Entry: Free

With a carousel of screens dotted around the venue, Box Piccadilly is a venue that clearly caters to its sports fans. Located in Soho in the heart of the capital, it’s a fan zone that will prove easily accessible to most. And with a 550-person capacity, you’ll feel the buzz of the atmosphere without feeling cramped. The food and drink selection is the only thing matching the number of screens on offer. This is the quintessential sports bar experience for foodie football fans.

The Rooftop at Madison

Area of London: Central

Postcode: EC4M 9AF

Nearest Tube Stations: St Paul’s, Mansion House, and Bank

Size: 750 capacity

Cost for Entry: £22

Your eyes may be glued to the nearest big screen, but you might just find them drawn to the incredible backdrop from time to time. The Madison Rooftop Bar is set to the beautiful architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral, putting a cultural spin on the chaos of the World Cup. The huge LED screen will help to amplify the action, but this rooftop terrace provides a more relaxed fan zone experience above the streets of the capital. Tickets are a modest £22, but they come with your first beer on the house.