Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney hasn’t been having the best time of it recently. Though he may have become the record goalscorer for the England national team, but his form with United has seemingly deserted him.
He’s not the first player to suffer in such a way, of course, so to be fair to Rooney, we’ve highlighted another nine players that lost their mojo completely unannounced.
9. Robin van Persie
The Dutchman established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest frontmen during his time with Arsenal, and when United signed him in the summer of 2013 more of the same was expected. He delivered during his first season at Old Trafford, but last term a stream of injuries and a sudden loss of confidence saw the club offload him to Fenerbahce for a cut price fee.
8. Radamel Falcao
Once one of the most feared strikers in the world, he can’t even scare children anymore, let alone defenders. An injury at Monaco seems to have changed him, and he suffered a poor season with United last year before arriving at Chelsea to fire blanks this time around.
7. Mario Balotelli
Having impressed with his languid style throughout his career, Liverpool hoped that he would fill the gap left by Luis Suarez in the summer of 2014. However, it didn’t quite work out that way and was sent back to Milan on loan following a limp season in front of goal under Brendan Rodgers.
6. Robinho
The latest in a long line of talented attackers dubbed ‘the new Pele’ thanks to his time at Real Madrid. Manchester City took their chances, but after a bright start fans got to see the frustrating side of his character. After leaving he was never the same player and is now winding down his career in China.
5. Michu
Swansea paid just £2m to sign the Spanish forward in 2012, and repaid the Premier League newcomers with 18 goals. However, injuries have halted his progress and he hasn’t found the net in the top flight since September 2013 and is rumoured to be considering a move to the Spanish third division.
4. Andriy Shevchenko
A colossus at Milan, he was expected to push Chelsea onto the next level when he arrived for just over £30m in 2006. However, he couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo at Stamford Bridge, managing just nine Premier League goals before returning to Milan in 2008.
3. Roberto Soldado
Spurs spent £26m of the Gareth Bale money on the Spanish striker to help lighten the burden following the Welshman’s departure, but with just one goal in 24 appearances last term he roundly became a Premier League laughing stock.
2. Emmanuel Adebayor
Adebayor has the knack of starting well at new clubs, but everywhere he’s been the goals have eventually dry up. Released by Tottenham over the summer, he is now a free agent at the age of 31.
1. Fernando Torres
Set the Premier League transfer record when he left Liverpool for Chelsea in 2011, but failed to live up to the price tag. Looking bereft of confidence for most of the time, he managed just 26 goals in a torrid five-year spell.
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