Some players are known to have enjoyed a consistent form, which led to their rise in the game, but this may not be the same story for several others.
All thanks to wrong transfer choices, attitude, and injuries, some players have watched their football careers die in the English Premier League, EPL, but were lucky to have had them resurrect, after absconding from the League.
Post-Nigeria takes a look at five (5) players, who did not play to expectation in the English top flight, but bounced back, after a move to other Leagues.
Radamel Falcao
The Colombian, arrived in the EPL, as one of Europe’s most feared strikers, but he never came close to justifying his hefty £285,000-a-week wage at Manchester United, where he scored just four goals.
Jose Mourinho felt he could bring out the best of Falcao again at Chelsea, but all he could manage, was a solitary strike.
However, returning to Monaco has seen Falcao reborn. The 30-year-old has struck four goals in his last two games for the Ligue 1 side, and six goals in all campaign.
His goal scoring exploits also saw him recall to the international fold, for Colombia’s qualifiers against Chile and Argentina.
Mario Balotelli
The world’s most controversial Balotelli, shaming his fans during his spell at Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively.
However, it finally seems the infamous, “Why Always Me”, has shaken off those dark days in England, to find his feet and form again in France.
While a loan move to AC Milan never took off last season, starting over again at Nice FC, having joined on a free transfer from Liverpool, this summer has been good for Balotelli’s soul.
Balotelli has been scoring freely again, with six goals in as many goals to take Nice FC top of Ligue 1, and the club’s Director General, Julien Fornier, has pinpointed what is behind the transformation.
Angel Di Maria
The Argentine, said his Manchester United career was a “sad experience”, and one he “does not want to remember”.
Di Maria, joined United for a then British transfer record of £59.7 million, but managed just three goals in 27 appearances.
After moving to Ligue 1 champions PSG for a cut price of £44 million, Di Maria rediscovered his best form, scoring 15 goals, and assisting another 25 in just 40 starts for the French club.
He may not be hitting those heights again, so far this campaign with just one goal in 12 starts, but his team contribution has made five assists. He continues to be a key player to PSG’s league and European hopes.
Juan Cuadrado
Signed by Chelsea for £26.1 million, following a series of eye-catching displays at the 2014 World Cup, the Colombian was never given much time by Jose Mourinho, to stamp his authority on the Premier League, with just four starts at Stamford Bridge.
The experience did not affect his confidence. Cuadrado went on to join Juventus on loan, and scored five goals in 40 appearances, as Juve secured a fifth straight Seria A title.
Cuadrado, extended his stay in Italy, with a further three-year loan deal in Italy, which takes him to the end of the four-and-a-half year contract he signed at Chelsea, in February, 2015.
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian winger, failed to pin down a regular starting berth at Stamford Bridge, after joining in January, 2014.
Yet Chelsea ended up making an impressive £5 million profit on a player they signed from Basle for £11 million, and was only on the score sheet twice, when he was sold to Roma this summer.
Salah struck 15 goals in 42 appearances, while on loan at Roma last season, and since making the move permanent has already started rewarding his official employers.
The 24-year-old has scored nine goals in 14 games to date, which include a first-ever career hat-trick in Roma’s 3-0 win over Bologna, earlier this month.
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