A LOOK AT CHELSEA’S STRIKER FLOPS OVER THE YEARS
The Romanian, who arrived from Parma, flew out of the traps with Chelsea, scoring four goals in his opening three matches. That haul included a brace against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. His form quickly fell away, though, and he failed to establish a positive working relationship with Mourinho. He was then sacked in October 2004, having tested positive for cocaine during a drugs test.
- Hernan Crespo
Transfer fee: £16.8m
Appearances: 73 Goals: 25
After a largely uninspiring first season in England, Crespo was loaned out to AC Milan in 2004. He returned the following season, though, and went on to score a memorable late winner against Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the campaign. However, while his goal return was respectable, he never truly settled in the Premier League and the Argentine then spent two years on loan with Inter Milan, whom he joined permanently on a free transfer in 2008.
- Mateja Kezman
Transfer fee: £5.3m
Appearances: 41 Goals: 7
The Serbian scored 129 goals in four seasons with PSV Eindhoven, so when Chelsea paid just £5.3m for his signature, it seemed like a steal. Yet, by the end of his one and only season in England, it was Chelsea that appeared to have been robbed. In Eindhoven, Kezman formed a clinical understanding with Arjen Robben, but the Dutch winger’s presence at Chelsea failed to help the centre-forward to settle.
- Fernando Torres
Transfer fee: £50m
Appearances: 172 Goals: 45
In terms of trophies, Torres can point to the fact that he has been a part of a Chelsea side that has won the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League. But, having shelled out £50m, the club would have wanted much more from the Spaniard. At present, he’s found the net just 20 times in the Premier League from 110 outings.