Premier League Transfers: 15 Talented Imports Who Completely Flopped

15. Robinho

In fairness to Robinho, he had a decent first season at Manchester City, but it just wasn€™t enough for a player who was hyped as Pele€™s successor. Of course most decent young Brazilian forwards are given this title, but Robinho actually seemed to have the talent to back it up. Despite having won two league titles with Real Madrid, a number of factors - including interest in Cristiano Ronaldo - meant that it was time for the Brazilian to move on from the Spanish super club. Almost everyone believed this move would be to Chelsea, and even the player himself seemed convinced, but the move was hijacked however by now Abu Dhabi backed Manchester City, as Robinho became the group€™s first big signing. Despite his apparent desire to move to the capital, Robinho joined the emerging City and had a good start to his new life, scoring a debut goal against former suitors Chelsea. And again, though he started well, he never lived up to the hype that surrounded him. His form in his first season was decent bringing a return of 14 goals, but the team could only finish mid-table, before a disastrous second season in which his poor form and injury problems led to him being shipped back to Brazil, re-joining Santos on loan for six months. In the meantime, the Abu Dhabi owners continued to shape City into a club that would challenge for major honours - leaving their first major signing behind them. A move to Milan produced a further league title, but Robinho hasn€™t achieved what was expected of him and the title of the next Pele has moved onto Neymar.