Premier League flops who got better once they left England

 

Everyone loves a comeback tale. For every Thierry Henry or Erling Haaland, there’s a player who bombed in the Premier League, left, and then became a star elsewhere. Here are 14 players who pulled it off.

Joselu (Stoke City & Newcastle United to Real Madrid)

From warming Premier League benches to scoring for Real Madrid, Joselu’s rise feels like a hidden glitch in the system. Never a standout in England, he transformed into a La Liga mainstay and earned a Spain call-up.

Stefan Savić (Manchester City to Atlético Madrid)

Struggled at Manchester City, looking out of his depth. At Atlético Madrid, he transformed into a tough, dependable defender, playing a key role in their La Liga title and a Champions League final run, going from shaky to stifling stars like Messi.

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Jérôme Boateng (Manchester City to Bayern Munich)

Manchester City endured a season of clumsy full-back trials, while Bayern Munich gained a world-class centre-back, securing two Champions League titles, nine Bundesliga crowns, and a World Cup. Quite the upgrade.

Alexander Sørloth (Crystal Palace to Midtjylland/Real Sociedad/Atlético Madrid)

Sørloth struggled to make an impact at Palace. However, after thriving in Turkey and maintaining his form in Spain, he’s become a reliable danger against Europe’s top defenders.

Suso (Liverpool to AC Milan/Sevilla)

Suso struggled for minutes at Liverpool but blossomed in Italy and Spain as a dynamic, creative midfielder. His flair was pivotal in Sevilla’s Europa League triumphs, shining brightest in warmer climates with a touch of flair and freedom.

Paulinho (Tottenham to Guangzhou Evergrande to Barcelona)

Paulinho's stint at Tottenham was lackluster, but he dominated in China with Guangzhou Evergrande. In a surprising turn, he signed with Barcelona, where he not only held his own but excelled, even netting a goal against Real Madrid.

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Memphis Depay (Manchester United to Lyon)

His confidence was undeniable, but his impact at Old Trafford fell short. At Lyon, Depay evolved into a leader, creator, and scorer. He later joined Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.

Diego Forlán (Manchester United to Villarreal/Atlético Madrid)

Two underwhelming seasons at Manchester United, with just ten league goals and mounting frustration. In Spain, he transformed into a prolific striker, earning Golden Boots, scoring iconic goals, and shining at the 2010 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball.

Florian Thauvin (Newcastle United to Marseille)

Florian Thauvin struggled at Newcastle United, appearing ill-suited to the physical demands of English football. Returning to Marseille, he transformed into a technical maestro, shining in Ligue 1 with 15+ goals for three consecutive seasons and earning a spot in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team.

Iago Aspas (Liverpool to Celta Vigo)

Known for his corner-kick blunders at Liverpool, Aspas became Celta Vigo's all-time greatest player. Transforming into a goal-scoring, assist-making machine, he sparked an unexpected career revival. Just keep him away from corners.

Gerard Piqué (Manchester United to Barcelona)

Piqué’s Manchester United stint was a blooper reel of errors. Returning to Barcelona, he transformed—sporting a beard and cementing his legacy with Spain. Stacking La Liga titles, Champions Leagues, and a World Cup, he left Sir Alex regretting the one that got away.

Mohamed Salah (Chelsea to Roma to Liverpool)

Salah's first Premier League stint at Chelsea was a letdown, with José Mourinho barely giving him a chance. Roma unlocked his potential, turning him into a star. Liverpool reaped the rewards, and he became a legend.

Kevin De Bruyne (Chelsea to Wolfsburg to Man City)

Chelsea fumbled their star, much like José Mourinho’s tenure. De Bruyne saw scant minutes at Stamford Bridge, so he lit up the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. Returning to the Premier League, he cemented himself as one of its finest midfielders ever. Special, indeed.

Serge Gnabry (West Brom to Bayern Munich)

Tony Pulis claimed Gnabry wasn’t “at the level” for West Brom, per Birmingham Live, but that didn’t shake his belief. At Bayern Munich, he’s won a Champions League, six Bundesliga titles, and a Club World Cup. As Alan Partridge would say: needless to say, Gnabry got the last laugh.