Transfer flops - Chris Sutton

Sutton being presented as a Chelsea player

You wouldn't think that someone who has over 150 career goals could be thought of as a transfer flop, but after a big money move to Chelsea the striker spectacularly failed to live up to the price tag and expectations.  However that is what happened to Chris Sutton when he headed to London, after earning many plaudits in previous spells with Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers.

It was with the Canaries where he began his career, making over a century of appearances and averaging around a goal every three games.  In three years at Carrow Road his reputation was suitably enhanced and it wasn't long before links with big money moves away started to be touted.

Ewood Park was Sutton's next destination, when Blackburn Rovers made him the most expensive player in English football at £5m in 1994.  It was here that the infamous SAS partnership was formed with Alan Shearer, with the pair spearheading the Rovers attack and leading the side to it's maiden, and still only, Premier League title.

However following this success the squad started to break up, and relegation mire ensued.  In 1999 following inevitable relegation Sutton departed, heading to Stamford Bridge where it was hoped an Englishman could succeed amongst the plethora of nationalities.

During his Villa stint

This proved not to be the case.  Following the £10m move he immediately started to struggle, a problem that stretched the whole season and has been adapted by big money strikers that have since made the move to Chelsea.  One season, including an FA Cup final where he didn't even make the squad, and one league goal later his bags were packed again.

This time the Scottish Premier League (SPL) was the destination, where he averaged nearly a goal every two games in a five and a half year stint at Celtic.  Following his successes in Scotland Sutton returned south to try his luck in the Premiership, but again it didn't really work out.  Half a season at Birmingham City was followed by a year at Aston Villa, before an attempt at management was undertaken.

Sutton also only managed one cap for the national side, after representing England at under-21, B and senior level.