11 global stars who flopped in the Premier League

Radamel Falcao (Manchester United and Chelsea)

After several prolific seasons with Porto and Atletico Madrid, Falcao was considered one the the world's deadliest hitmen, but he only managed four goals in 29 games for United during the 2014-15 season after joining on loan from Monaco and just one in 12 for Chelsea the following campaign.

Paulo Futre (West Ham)

Futre excelled with Porto and Atletico Madrid, but his time in East London was best remembered for his refusal to wear any shirt number other than 10. In order to claim the shirt he had to agree to let John Moncur use his villa for a holiday. Futre's West Ham career lasted just nine games.

Branco (Middlesbrough)

The Brazilian arrived on Teesside as a World Cup winner with 72 international caps, but it is perhaps telling that few Middlesbrough fans remember that he ever player for the club.

Juan Sebastian Veron (Manchester United and Chelsea)

After proving himself in Serie A over the course of several years, there was palpable excitement when United swooped for the Argentine, however, he largely failed to live up to his billing despite being a regular during his first season at Old Trafford. Veron has since gone on record admitting that he struggled with the physciality of the Premier League.

Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea)

The Ukranian arrived in the English capital off the back of a devastating spell with AC Milan but failed to reach the same heights, scoring just 22 goals in 76 games.

Davor Suker (Arsenal and West Ham)

The Croatian won the Golden Boot at the 1998 World Cup and had enjoyed prolific spells at both Sevilla and Real Madrid but he managed just 11 goals for Arsenal in his debut season before scoring just thee in 14 games for West Ham.

Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)

It is fair to say United don't have the best of luck with global stars. They plucked Di Maria from Real Madrid just months after he was named Man of the Match in the Champions League final but after a solid start the physicality of the Premier League proved too much for the Argentine and he joined PSG after just one year in England, leaving with a record of four goals in 31 games.

Fernando Morientes (Liverpool)

On paper, the Spaniard looked the perfect fit for the Premier League, given that he was tall, strong and good in the air. Furthermore, coming from Real Madrid he certainly had pedigree. However, after just 12 goals in 61 games, he soon returned to his homeland with Valencia.

Maicon (Manchester City)

Once considered one of the world's best defenders, Maicon's best days were behind him by the time he joined City and he ended the season as third-choice behind Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards of all people.

George Weah (Chelsea and Manchester City)

Big things were expected from Africa's only Ballon d'Or winner, but at 34 his powers were already on the wane and despite achieving respectable figures of five in 15 for Chelsea and four in nine for City, he is largely seen as a disappointment.

Mario Jardel (Bolton)

269 goals in 275 games for Porto, Galatasaray and Sporting Lisbon suggested that Bolton were getting a clinical finisher who could fire them up the table. That proved not to be the case though, with Jardel scoring just three goals in 12 games and attracting the ire of fans for being 'overweight'.