Ever wondered who the worst wingers in the Premier League are, those who flattered to deceive, perhaps due to the price tag attached to their transfers or the lofty expectations set for them?
Since its inception, the Premier League has witnessed both incredible and abysmal wingers, some of whom will never be forgotten not for their greatness, but for their failure to live up to the hype.
Fans have enjoyed incredible performances from wide players over the years, but not every winger reached the peak of their career.
Here at Cheapgoals, we’ll chronicle 10 of the worst wingers in Premier League history.
1. Antony Dos Santos (Brazil)
Joining a club as massive as Manchester United for a whopping £82 million naturally brings high expectations, especially considering the way he lit up the Eredivisie with his performances and flair.
However, Antony’s contribution to Manchester United’s success has been minimal, and he will likely go down in history as one of the worst wingers the league has seen, scoring just five goals and providing three assists in 62 appearances.
His lacklustre performances eventually led to a loan move to Real Betis after struggling under both Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag.
2. Tiago Manuel Bebe (Portugal)
Bebe’s name is likely to be remembered as one of the worst players ever signed in Premier League history following his bizarre £7.4 million move from Vitória Guimarães to Manchester United in 2010.
Despite being recommended by Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant, Carlos Queiroz, Bebe never truly fit into United’s plans.
He made only two Premier League appearances in the 2010-11 season before being loaned out for the next three years, marking the beginning of a disappointing career in England.
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3. Gabriel Obertan (France)
When Gabriel Obertan joined Manchester United, he was touted as a player with huge potential, and many even thought he could be the next Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, he failed to deliver on that promise, despite all of his blistering pace Obertan lacked the technical skills to be effective at the highest level.
He made only 14 Premier League appearances for United before moving to Newcastle United for £3 million, where he also struggled to make an impact.
4. El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)
El Hadji Diouf was once seen as the player who could propel Liverpool to Premier League glory in the early 2000s, but he never lived up to expectations.
After a promising start, including scoring two goals on his Anfield debut, the £10 million signing failed to deliver consistent performances which led to the fans booing him as a failed transfer.
He only managed three goals in 55 league appearances for Liverpool, before being loaned to Bolton in the 2004-05 season, where his career stagnated.
5. Lazar Markovic (Serbia)
Lazar Markovic’s £20 million move from Benfica to Liverpool in 2014 raised hopes that he would be the next big thing for the club but surprisingly failed to be in the end.
Before joining Liverpool, he was one of Europe’s most exciting wingers with his dribbling skills and ability to make dangerous runs.
Unfortunately, his time in the Premier League was a disaster, with Markovic bouncing around on loan to Fulham and other clubs before his time in England ended.
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6. Ryo Miyaichi (Japan)
Ryo Miyaichi, or “Ryodinho” as the media dubbed him, arrived at Arsenal in 2011 with great promise, hailed for his dazzling dribbling skills and exciting potential.
Unfortunately, injuries and lack of development hampered his progress which led to him losing his dream of playing in Europe’s most followed league.
He had brief loan spells at Feyenoord and Wigan before being released, as his inability to make an impact at Arsenal ultimately earned him a spot on the list of the Premier League’s worst wingers.
7. David Bentley (England)
David Bentley was once considered one of England’s brightest prospects, after impressing at Blackburn Rovers with his dribbling and pinpoint crosses.
Bentley moved to Tottenham Hotspur and unfortunately failed to replicate his previous form, and his inconsistent performances, coupled with a poor attitude, led to an underwhelming stint at Spurs.
He also had a short spell at Arsenal but failed to make a lasting impact in the league before his career fizzled out.
8. Albert Luque (Spain)
Albert Luque enjoyed a successful spell at Deportivo La Coruña, dazzling fans with his skill, goals, and smooth style of play.
However, after moving to Newcastle United in 2005 for £9 million, expectations were high, but he failed to deliver.
Luque scored just one goal in 21 appearances over two years with the Magpies, making his move to the Premier League a massive disappointment.
9. Jordan Ibe (England)
Jordan Ibe once seemed like a potential replacement for Raheem Sterling at Liverpool, known for his blistering pace, dribbling, and trickery on the ball.
After four seasons at Anfield, Ibe had just one goal in 41 appearances and was sold to Bournemouth for a club-record fee of £15 million in 2016.
Despite his talent, Ibe’s career took a sharp decline, and he is now playing for Hungerford Town in England’s seventh tier.
10. Royston Drenthe (Netherlands)
Royston Drenthe was once considered a future superstar after securing a move to Real Madrid from Feyenoord in 2005.
However, he struggled to earn a starting spot at the Spanish club and was loaned out to Hercules and Everton, despite promises of better performances his time in the Premier League was disappointing.
His failure to maintain a professional attitude both on and off the field hindered his potential, preventing him from fulfilling his potential as a talented footballer.
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