4. Jean-Alain Boumsong (£8million)
John Walton/EMPICS SportLooking back, it is hardly a shock that Jean-Alain Boumsong never worked out at Newcastle United. Signed by Graeme Souness in January 2005 for £8million from Rangers, the French central defender never looked the part in England, starting from his startling debut against Yeading in the FA Cup during which he anticipated a ball dropping over his shoulder that subsequently hit him square int he middle of his back. He arrived after six months at Ibrox having only moved there from Auxerre the previous summer, and though he had impressed in Scotland, the level of competitiveness is a fraction of that in the Premier League, and that showed. Boumsong's lack of ability to read situations was exposed and he soon became a laughing stock, adding to the already well known adage that Newcastle United are great in attack, but comically poor in defence. Earning himself the nickname 'Diamond Heed' because he struggled to head a ball properly was just the tip of the iceberg for Boumsong, who like Viana obviously did something right in the eyes of his nation, representing France on 27 occasions in six years. Physically, he seemed suited to the Premier League perfectly, with his pace combined with his six foot three frame seemingly a perfect fit, but he never grasped the pressures of playing on Tyneside. Despite going on to play in the Champions League with the likes of Lyon and Panathinaikos and helping Juventus win promotion back to Serie A in the wake of the Calciopoli match fixing scandal just 18 months and 47 appearances after joining Newcastle, Jean-Alain Boumsong will forever be remembered as a rushed and poorly thought out piece of business.