7 Most underrated transfers in history
7 Most underrated transfers in history. When it comes to football transfers, the spotlight often shines on the blockbuster deals and high-profile signings that dominate the headlines. However, some of the most impactful transfers often fly under the radar, quietly transforming teams and leaving a lasting legacy without the fanfare. These underrated transfers may not have come with lofty price tags or media frenzy, but their contributions have been invaluable, leading to success on the pitch and changing the course of clubs’ histories. Today, we take a closer look at the seven most underrated transfers in football history that deserve their moment in the sun! Join us as we celebrate these unsung heroes who proved that sometimes, it’s not about the glitz and glamour, but the quality and impact a player brings to their new team.
1. PAUL POGBA (MANCHESTER UNITED TO JUVENTUS)
Paul Pogba came through the ranks of Manchester United’s academy but found it impossible to break into the first team. Well the club did not see him as good enough so they let him go free to Juventus.
At Juventus, the French man spread his wings. He quickly became one of the world’s best midfielders, winning 4 consecutive Serie A league titles, 2 Italian cups, and 3 Itlian super cups. To top it off, Juve sold him back to Manchester United for 70 million four years later. He returned to Juventus as a free agent after a not so good time at United.
2. PETER SCHMEICHEL (BRONDBY IF TO MANCHESTED UNITED)
When Alex Ferguson brought Danish shot stopper, Peter Schmeichel in to his team in 1991 a lot of people had doubts. Schmeichel had of course enjoyed success in the Danish league, winning 4 league titles and the Danish cup, but it was not sure if he would replicate his performance at United.
Well, Peter Schmeichel put doubters to shame by having a whooping 180 clean sheets in his 388 matches for United. He also won 13 trophies with them including 1 Champions league trophy, 5 League titles and 3 FA cups amongst others.
3. ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI (LECH POZNAN TO DORTMUND)
Robert Lewandowski is known as one of the most successful strikers of his generation. The polish forward has won almost everything he could get his hands at the club level, but in 2010 he was just a good talent who had just shown the first sparks of his brilliance in the Polish league with Lech Poznan where he had provided 41 goals and 19 assists in 82 games while winning three trophies for the Polish side.
Lewandowski could have gone to Blackburn Rovers but Iceland’s volcanic dust did not allow his plane make the trip so he signed for Dortmund for 4 million instead. The striker had a wonderful time at the German side, winning 2 consecutive Bundesliga titles, 1 DFB Pokal and 1 German super cup. He also led the team to their unsuccessful 2012/13 Champions league final against Bayern Munich.
He scored 103 goals and 42 assists and won one league golden boot during his time at the club.
4. ROMELU LUKAKU (MANCHESTER UNITED TO INTER MILAN)
Romelu Lukaku’s time in English football was on and off. After a rough time at Chelsea, the Belgian target man had successful times at Westbrom and Everton where he scored loads of goals. His big move to Manchester united though, turned out as a disaster due to his constant misses and mistakes up.
In 2019, United got rid of Lukaku to Inter Milan for 74 million, a good deal for the Red Devils. At Inter however, Lukaku turned into a beast in front of goal. Together with Lauturo Martinez, Lukaku unleashed havoc on Serie A defenses, amassing a whooping 78 goals and 23 assists in 132 games over two stints at the club. He also won 1 Serie A title, 1 Italian cup, and 1 Italian super cup for Inter.
5. ANDY ROBERTSON (HULL CITY TO LIVERPOOL)
Andy Robertson moved to English side Hull city from Scottish club, Dundee in 2014. His good performance at the club, earned him a move to Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2017 for 9 million.
Coming from a small club, it was expected that the left back would at most be average but Robertson surprised Premier league fans when he became a threat on the left wing, getting 11 assists and then 12 in two consecutive seasons.
Robbo as he is popularly known, has won 8 trophies so far for the Merseyside based club including 1 Premier league title, 1 Champions league title and 1 Club World Cup amongst others. He currently has 11 goals and 65 assists in 300 games for the Reds.
6. ROBIN VAN PERSIE (FEYENORD TO ARSENAL)
In 2004, Arsenal purchased Robin Van Persie from Feyenord for 4.50 million. The young striker had seen a successful time Feyenord and was looking for another challenge. At the beginning, there were a lot of doubts about whether he would do well in England, but the doubts ceased when the Dutch started his scoring spree.
During his eight years at Arsenal, Van Persie won the League golden boot and scored 132 goals in 278 games. He won 1 English super cup and 1 FA Cup, he was also in the Arsenal team that reached the 2005/06 Champions league final.
7. RIYAD MAHREZ (LE HAVRE TO LEICESTER CITY)
Riyad Mahrez was an unknown player from the lower leagues of French football when Leicester city acquired him for 500k for French outfit Le Havre in 2014. He was little more than a little Algerian with tinted hair, until the left footed wonder started to showcase his talent. Mahrez showed his skills on the highest stage when he helped the then recently promoted Leicester city win the 2015/16 Premier league title, reaching double figures for both goals and assists (17 goals and 10 assists) and winning the Player of The Year award.
What the foxes earned most from the Algerian would however be his huge transfer fee of 67 million to Manchester City. He played a total of 179 games for Leicester, providing 48 goals and 36 assists.
