Six flops that flourished down the Premier League as Andreas Pereira shines at Fulham
Andreas Pereira has flourished at Fulham, showing that he really does have Premier League quality - but it was not always the case for the attacker when he was at a rival club - as is the case of five other players
Fulham boss Marco Silva paid tribute to midfielder Andreas Pereira earlier this week for his "outstanding" start to the season following the Cottagers' return to the top-flight.
The former Manchester United player, who signed a four-year deal at the promoted side over the summer, has been in tip-top form since his move to Craven Cottage - something quite shocking given his torrid time at Old Trafford. Silva said: "He has been outstanding this season. I know a lot of people had doubts when I decided to sign him but I knew his qualities and his character."
But the Brazil star isn’t the only player to enjoy a huge career revival at a smaller club. Here we take a look at some of the other players to remerge into the limelight, firing on all cylinders despite struggling for form before.
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Danny Ings - Liverpool
Danny Ings’ time at Liverpool was riddled with injury woes. He sprung into life with newly-promoted Burnley in 2014-15, where the Englishman netted 11 times in 37 appearances. That led to a move to Merseyside the following campaign for £6.5million up front, with an extra £1.5 million in player performance-related bonuses.
The stage was set for Ings to go that one step further, but things didn’t go to plan for him during his time at Anfield. The forward made just 25 outings across three seasons for the Reds, scoring just four times.
Ings soon moved onto greener pastures. He went back to his best and likely his peak for Southampton following his move there - where he found the net 46 times in 100 appearances. Now at Aston Villa, he still remains a deadly striker.
Scott Parker - Chelsea
Has your club ever let a player go who has gone on to be a star somewhere else? Let us know in the comments section.
Scott Parker was one of the hottest young prospects in the Premier League when he was at Charlton Athletic. The roving midfielder’s performances soon saw him signed by Chelsea for £10million in 2004, just after the club had been taken over by a certain Russian oligarch by the name of Roman Abramovich.
However, Parker struggled at Stamford Bridge, with Jose Mourinho opting for Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard in midfield instead.
He made just 28 appearances for the side, before moving to Newcastle, where he enjoyed some of his best years in the Premier League. It was his dogged displays in the holding midfield position that propelled Parker back to his level best. Parker was named Newcastle's new captain by manager Glenn Roeder, succeeding Alan Shearer, who retired.
He later impressed for both West Ham, Tottenham, Fulham and England, notably winning the FWA Football of the Year award during his final full season at West Ham in 2011.
Jack Harrison - Man City
Jack Harrison signed for Premier League side Manchester City in 2018, joining the Premier League giants from sister club New York City FC in MLS.
But the attacker failed to find a spot in what was - and still is - a side brimming with talent. In three years, Harrison failed to make one single appearance for the Citizens.
He eventually signed for Championship side Leeds United on a season-long loan, before that move was made permanent, with Harrison becoming one of the first names on the Whites’ team-sheet.
Last season he netted ten times in all competitions, featuring in 38 games. It was reported that Newcastle were keen on the player over the summer, but Leeds confirmed that he would not be for sale.
Bobby Zamora - Tottenham
Bobby Zamora was brought to Tottenham by Glenn Hoddle for £1.5million from Brighton in 2003, but the striker could not find a place in the team at White Hart Lane. Overall he made 18 appearances, 11 coming off the bench, scoring a single goal in that time.
Eventually, the Englishman was sold to West Ham, who were down in the First Division. With the Hammers, Zamora became a key figure, netting 13 times as the side earned promotion to the Premier League.
He hit double figures for two successive seasons following that, before moving on to Fulham, where he starred in their run to the 2010 Europa League final.
Emiliano Martinez- Arsenal
Emiliano Martinez is one of the top Premier League goalkeepers, but that wasn't always considered to be the case.
The Argentine spent some ten years with Arsenal but made only 38 outings in that time. In the 2019-20 season, he was the club’s number two, standing between the sticks 23 times owing to their first-choice Bernd Leno being out injured. He took the German’s place and was superb in the latter half of the season.
But despite the decent displays, the goalkeeper was moved on and bought by Aston Villa for £20million. Since moving to the Midlands side, Martinez has won plenty of plaudits and established himself as a member of Argentina's squad for the World Cup.
Wilfried Zaha - Man Utd
Perhaps the best example of a player who shone after flying too close to the sun is that of Wilfried Zaha. Zaha never quite hit the heights at United. He moved from Crystal Palace in 2013 for a reported £10million, possibly rising to £15m, but was loaned back.
In two seasons at Old Trafford, the attacker found himself playing with the elite Premier League side just four times. It was considered a failed move but Zaha went back to Selhurst Park in 2014 for a deal rising to £6million. It proved an inspired move - Zaha has become an Eagles legend, with 70 goals in 297.
His best season came last campaign, where he found the net 15 times. But those who watch Zaha know he’s more than just goals, he lifts the entire team and drives fear into the opposition’s defence.
Andreas Pereira - Man Utd
Indeed, Andreas Pereira could not quite cut it at United, despite being on the books for eight seasons. For the past two seasons, he spent some time at Brazilian side Flamengo. He also spent some time on loan at Lazio in Serie A.
He played 75 times for the Red Devils, but it's been his time at Fulham where he's come into his own. Under Silva, that glint in his eye is back and he may soon have United regretting the £10million deal that allowed him to move to Craven Cottage.
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