At the start of every campaign, fans and observers alike lay their expectations upon the shoulders of the big household names. While some manage to fulfill their promise, others fall short. This season, we’ve seen a host of players failing to deliver the goods, whether they feature for top clubs or for those struggling at the bottom of the table. So it’s time to pick out the biggest 10 flops of the Serie A campaign.
10- Matteo Pessina (Atalanta)
In the previous couple of seasons, Matteo Pessina had been vastly improving. In 2019/20, he enjoyed an eye-opening campaign while on loan at Verona, before cementing himself as an important piece of Gian Piero Gasperini’s jigsaw last season.
So after winning the Euro 2020 with the Italian national team last season, great things were expected from the Azzurri star.
Nevertheless, his development has stalled this campaign as he’s been putting on some uninspiring displays. At the age of 24, time is still on his side, so we’re hoping to see him to rediscover his vibrant form next term.
9- Arthur Melo (Juventus)
Following a troublesome first campaign at Turin marred by controversy, lack of form and recurring injuries, Juventus fans were hoping that Arthur would turn the page and finally prove his capabilities as a fine deep-lying playmaker.
But even within a meager midfield department ravaged by injuries, the Brazilian is still struggling to make himself noticed and force Massimiliano to entrust him with a regular starting spot.
Barring a major turnaround, his transfer from Barcelona to the Bianconeri will go down as major misstep from the Serie A club.
8- Stefan De Vrij (Inter)
Last season, Antonio Conte was able to rely on an impregnable defensive wall as Inter marshalled towards their first Scudetto title in eleven years.
This term, his successor Simone Inzaghi has been left with a less than formidable backline. Perhaps, the decline of club captain Samir Handanovic left its toll on his teammates, but at the age of 37, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
However, few had foreseen Stefan de Vrij’s major fall from grace. The Dutchman turned from the De Facto leader of the backline into a liability at times. His weak performance against Olivier Giroud in the Derby della Madonnina partially caused his side’s defeat in a paramount showdown for the Scudetto.
7- Jordan Veretout (Roma)
Since making the switch from Fiorentina to Roma in 2019, Jordan Veretout had been a mainstay at the heart of the Giallorossi’s starting lineup. His status changed little with the arrival of José Mourinho last summer.
However, his position turned upside-down in the middle of the current campaign, especially following the arrival of Sergio Oliveira.
Apparently, the Frenchman’s unspectacular displays this season left the Special One dissatisfied, which prompted him to sign the former Porto man.
So in a surprising turn of events, the 29-year-old can expect to linger on the bench for the rest of the campaign before being unceremoniously offloaded next summer.
6- Moise Kean (Juventus)
Unfortunately for Kean, the circumstances have been pilling against him from the very beginning of his second stint at his boyhood club.
The former Italian striker made his return to Turin one day following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, which led some to awkwardly label him as the Portuguese’s replacement!
But forget about CR7. The current version of the player has been unable to recapture the magic of the striker’s original time at the club (particularly his stunning run in 2019).
Therefore, growing reports now expect the 22-year-old to cut his time at Juventus short and try his luck in another comeback, this time at Paris Saint Germain.
5- Diego Godin (Cagliari)
For relegation-threatened clubs, having experienced and decorated veterans can be a vital expect. These are the type of players that the manager resort to in the team’s darkest hour.
Therefore, it was a bit shocking to witness how Diego Godin’s time in Sardinia had unfolded. While his struggles on the pitch are understandable due to his age and regressing physical condition, it is hard to justify the way he and his compatriot Martin Caceres left Cagliari in the middle of the season after falling out with the club.
This dark episode stained what remains an otherwise illustrious career of one of Uruguay’s finest defenders.
4- Tiémoué Bakayoko (Milan)
Since leaving Monaco in favor of Chelsea in 2017, Bakayoko’s career has been a never-ending rollercoaster. The midfielder has been trying to find himself a true home, but instead, he ends up changing allegiances every summer.
Therefore, a return to Milan was supposed to rekindle a love-hate affair with the Rossoneri crowds. Nevertheless, his second stint at the club failed has been mostly met with disdain.
The Frenchman has become a complete after-thought in Milano, and will surely end his relationship with the club for good following a below-then-average campaign.
3- Franck Kessié (Milan)
Unlike his teammate Bakayoko, Franck Kessié remains an important member of Stefano Pioli’s squad as the club prepares for the final and decisive stretch of the Serie A season.
However, the definition of a “flop” is a player who falls short from expectations. So in this regard, the Ivorian has surely been one of the biggest flops of the Serie A campaign.
Last season, “The President” was arguably the best midfielder in the Italian peninsula, leading the Diavolo’s charge towards a long-awaited Champions League return.
But this term, the former Atalanta man has been arguably distracted ahead of his imminent transfer to Barcelona, which prompted his manager to drop him from the lineup on some occasions.
Luckily for Milan, Sandro Tonali has risen to the occasion and took the torch from the disappointing Ivorian.
2- Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Roma)
Last January, Ainsley Maitland-Niles decided to follow the footsteps of his compatriots Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham by moving to the Italian capital in the hopes of reigniting his playing career.
But following six mostly-underwhelming Serie A cameos on the wings, Mourinho decided to drop the Arsenal youth product, preferring to rely on the services of the young Nicola Zalewski.
In conclusion, not every English castaway can find his safe haven in Serie A.
1- Vedat Muriqi (Lazio)
In the summer of 2020, Lazio decided to splash 20 million euros for the services of Vedat Muriqi as the club noted the need for a new striker who can act as Ciro Immobile’s understudy.
In Claudio Lotito’s world, this figure is considered a hefty one (especially for a backup), so you can only imagine the president’s feelings when his big signing left the club towards Mallorca last January after scoring a lone Serie A goals in 38 appearances during his 18 months in the Eternal City.
Sporting director Igli Tare is probably still being berated for this one on recurring basis.