Poll: Who has been the Premier League’s biggest Brazilian flop?
Published:
Liverpool seem intent on adding some South American spark to their attacking options with Brazil’s Firmino signing for the Reds for £29m and further additions expected.
The Samba Boys forward has impressed in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim and will arrive at Anfield amid high expectations.
However, Middlesbrough’s Juninho and Chelsea’s Oscar aside, the Premier League’s history is littered with Brazilian flops and while Firmino’s future is yet to be seen we’re asking you to vote for the biggest flop of them all.
Check out the shortlist below and have your say in today’s poll.
[poll id=”2017”]
Roque Junior – Leeds United
Arriving on loan from Italian giants AC Milan shortly after winning the World Cup with Brazil in Japan and Korea, the Elland Road faithful had high hopes for the centre back.
However, after getting sent off on his debut – a 2-0 loss to Birmingham – the then-27-year-old never recovered conceding another 22 goals in just six further outings!
Kleberson – Manchester United
While Leeds at least managed to get their flop on loan Manchester United shelled out £6m for theirs.
One of the key men in Brazil’s 2002 success, an injury in just his second game at Old Trafford hindered any chance of quick integration into the Red Devils squad.
Two seasons and just 30 mediocre performance later and he was shipped off to Turkey for a £3.5m loss.
Julio Baptista – Arsenal
Look at the Beast’s League Cup record for the Gunners and you’d be forgiven for thinking he’d lived up to his nickname.
However, after just three league goals in 24 outings his loan season from Real Madrid was less prolific than Radamel Falcao’s at United this term!
A brace in the cup against Spurs ensured some fans remembered him fondly but Arsene Wenger was not convinced and bumped off back to the Bernabeu.
Afonso Alves – Middlesbrough
Gareth Southgate parted with £12m to bring Alves to the Riverside and after he hit 45 goals in 39 games for Heerenveen he can hardly be blamed.
However, a return of just four goals from 31 games in his second season saw Boro relegated and his reputation so damaged he fled to the Middle East to play for Al-Sadd.
Robinho – Manchester City
When Robinho signed from Real Madrid for a British record £32.5m City fans thought all their Christmases had come at once.
And it looked as though they were right as the diminutive forward netted 15 goals to top the Etihad charts in his first season.
However, it was all downhill from there with Robinho struggling to hold down a first team position under Roberto Mancini. A number of spats followed – as did just one more FA Cup goal – and he was soon carted off to Santos on Loan before being banished for good to AC Milan.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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