Pep Guardiola sanctioned the sale of Cole Palmer last year. (Image: Getty)
Manchester City man Kalvin Phillips has been told his mid-season move to West Ham United was overwhelmingly the worst transfer of the season.
In a poll of Express Sport readers, Phillips was dubbed the Premier League flop of the season, having endured a torrid five-month spell in east London.
From mistakes leading to goals, giving away penalties and picking up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes, there was little for Phillips to enjoy from his stint with the Hammers.
As a result, over 40 per cent of voters named the £42million man the worst signing of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Coming in second was another big-money midfield man, with Sandro Tonali’s ill-fated switch to Newcastle United earning him the silver medal.
The Italian managed just 12 matches for the Magpies before being banned for betting breaches, having put pen to paper on a £55million move from AC Milan.
Whereas third place in the list of flops of the season was Rasmus Hojlund, who arrived at Manchester United from Atalanta for £72million in the summer.
Kalvin Phillips endured a torrid spell at West Ham United. (Image: Getty)
Sandro Tonali managed just 12 matches in a Newcastle shirt. (Image: Getty)
The Dane found the net 16 times during his maiden campaign in English football, but it wasn’t enough to stop him picking up 17 per cent of the vote.
Much like the worst signing of the season award, there was also a clear winner for the signing of the season, as Cole Palmer ran away with the accolade.
Palmer arrived at Chelsea amid a mixed reception during the summer transfer window, after the Blues splashed £40million on his signature.
Fast forward one year and it appears money well spent, with Palmer having notched up 40 goal contributions across all competitions.
Cole Palmer scored 25 goals during his debut Chelsea season. (Image: Getty)
Declan Rice moved to Arsenal for £105million in the summer window. (Image: Getty)
What’s more, his performances for the two-time European champions have earned him a call-up to the England squad, with Palmer expected to feature in Gareth Southgate’s plans this summer.
Such was the 22-year-old’s impact, Palmer was voted as the signing of the Premier League season by Express Sport readers, while securing a whopping 60 per cent of the vote in the process.
It was a whole 40 per cent more votes than second place, which went to Arsenal ace and England team mate Declan Rice.
While Liverpool man Alexis Mac Allister finished behind Palmer and Rice in third, picking up a healthy 10 per cent of the vote.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1904365/Man-City-Cole-Palmer-Declan-Rice-flop-of-the-season