In football, timing can be everything. The right move at the wrong time can completely unravel a career. Some players chase bigger contracts, brighter lights, or a dream club – only to find themselves benched, unsettled, or wishing they’d stayed where they were.
It’s one thing to leave. It’s another to realise the grass wasn’t greener. Whether it was a tactical mismatch, a lack of trust from the manager, or just the wrong fit altogether, these players made a move that, looking back, didn’t do them any favours.
1. Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool to Barcelona
After leaving a thriving Liverpool side in 2018 for a £142m move, Coutinho never reached the same heights. Injuries and inconsistency saw him struggle at Barça, and he was even loaned out to Bayern Munich before eventually fading from top-level relevance.
2. Alexis Sánchez – Arsenal to Manchester United
Sánchez was a star at Arsenal, but his 2018 move to Man United was a disaster. He struggled with form and fitness, scored just 5 goals in 45 appearances, and later admitted he wanted to return to Arsenal after his first training session.
3. Eden Hazard – Chelsea to Real Madrid
Hazard left Chelsea in 2019 as one of the best players in the world. However, injuries derailed his time at Madrid, limiting his impact and leading to an early contract termination. He retired at 32, never rediscovering his old magic.
4. Romelu Lukaku – Inter Milan to Chelsea (second spell)
After firing Inter to a Serie A title, Lukaku returned to Chelsea in 2021 for £97.5m. But tactical misfits and off-pitch drama saw him flop. He later expressed regret, saying he never should’ve left Inter.
5. Fernando Torres – Liverpool to Chelsea
Torres was lethal at Liverpool, but after a £50m move to Chelsea in 2011, he never regained his form. Despite some silverware, he became a symbol of underachievement at Stamford Bridge.
6. Shinji Kagawa – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United
Kagawa was a star under Jürgen Klopp at Dortmund, clever, sharp, and decisive in the final third. His 2012 move to Manchester United was filled with promise, but he struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s pace and physicality. Despite moments of brilliance, he never nailed down a starting spot. Just two years later, he returned to Dortmund, admitting it felt like coming home. He was never quite the same after leaving the club that brought out his best.
7. Ángel Di María – Real Madrid to Manchester United
Fresh off a Champions League win, Di María joined United in 2014 for a British record fee. But he never adapted to England and left after just one underwhelming season.
8. Sadio Mané – Liverpool to Bayern Munich
Mané thrived at Liverpool, playing a key role in their success under Klopp. His 2022 move to Bayern never quite worked — injuries, off-pitch clashes, and poor form led to a quick exit. Just a year later, he was gone. Many felt he was never the same after leaving Anfield.
9. Dani Alves – Barcelona to Juventus
Alves left Barcelona in 2016 after winning everything, still performing at a top level. His move to Juventus didn’t last long, and while he did return to Barça later, it never had the same magic. He’s since admitted he left too soon and regretted not staying longer during that golden era.
10. Neymar – Barcelona to PSG
Despite his success at PSG, Neymar never won the Champions League again after leaving Barça in 2017. Injuries and off-pitch controversies marred his time in Paris, and many feel he never reached his full potential after leaving Barcelona. He even expressed a desire to return on several occasions.
11. Paul Pogba – Juventus to Manchester United
United broke the world transfer record in 2016 to bring Pogba back from Juventus. Despite flashes of brilliance, his second spell at Old Trafford was plagued by inconsistency, injuries, and dressing room drama. He never became the dominant force many expected and eventually returned to Juve in 2022 — a full circle with an air of unfinished business.
12. Antoine Griezmann – Atlético Madrid to Barcelona
Griezmann was a superstar at Atlético, but his €120m switch to Barça in 2019 felt misjudged from the start. He struggled to fit into their system, never lived up to his price tag, and was eventually loaned back — and then permanently sold — to Atlético, where he rediscovered his form.
13. Filipe Luís – Atlético Madrid to Chelsea
After excelling under Diego Simeone, Filipe Luís joined Chelsea in 2014. But he struggled to displace César Azpilicueta and never settled in London. Just a year later, he returned to Atlético, admitting later that he regretted leaving in the first place.
14. Jadon Sancho – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United
After lighting up the Bundesliga with Dortmund, Sancho moved to Man United in 2021 amid massive expectations. But he struggled with form, confidence, and later fell out with Erik ten Hag. He returned to Dortmund on loan in 2024, where he quickly looked more at home, a clear case of a player regretting his big-money move.
15. Zlatan Ibrahimović – Inter Milan to Barcelona
Ibrahimović left Inter in 2009 after winning multiple Serie A titles under Mourinho. But his move to Barcelona didn’t work out — he clashed with Pep Guardiola, was overshadowed by Messi, and left after just one season. Zlatan later admitted he regretted leaving Inter, calling it one of the best environments he’d played in.
