6 Premier League signings who flopped after the World Cup

3. Asamoah Gyan (Rennes to Sunderland) 

Gyan has represented Ghana in three world cups scoring 6 goals over that span. He scored 51 goals for the national team making him the leading goal scorer of all time for Ghana. Despite missing the penalty against Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup 2010, he was admired by Steve Bruce at Sunderland. Shortly after the tournament ended, he was signed by Sunderland for £13 million to provide the Black Cats with some well needed goals.

He scored on his debut in a 1-1 draw against Wigan after replacing Danny Welbeck. The fans were basking in joy after his first goal. Gyan sent the fans into frenzy on September 6th after he scored twice on his first Premier League start for the club in a 2–0 win against Stoke City.

However, despite his impressive start to life at Sunderland he did not add to his tally until February 2011 and later scored a few more finishing off his first season on 10 goals. He was given his preferred number 3 shirt, but failed to score a goal in 2012 for Sunderland and was sent on a season long loan in the UAE.