Former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino has been labelled the worst summer signing in Ligue 1 on the back of his move to Monaco.
The Japan international was sold by the Reds for an initial fee worth £12.9million in June having spent two and a half years on Merseyside. During this period, the 27-year-old was predominantly deployed as an impact substitute and struggled for regular opportunities.
Minamino's final season at Anfield was undoubtedly his most effective after scoring 10 goals in all competitions, seven of which arrived in cup competitions to help Liverpool to a domestic double.
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Since joining Monaco, the agile attacker has been limited to two starts in Ligue 1 and deployed from the bench on five occasions. Minamino opened his goalscoring account for his new employers during a 3-0 away win over Reims on Sunday afternoon, as well as providing an assist, despite only featuring for 25 minutes. He secured another assist in a 4-2 defeat at Troyes last month, ensuring he has had a hand in three goals this campaign.
While this may seem to be a reasonable return within the final third, one French outlet has shared an opposite view and believes the former Red Bull Salzburg star has been the biggest 'flop' so far this season. Explaining their reasoning behind this somewhat controversial decision, Quotidien Du Sport said before Minamino scored his first goal for Monaco at the weekend: "The Japanese had to speed up the Monegasque game and bring movement in attack. In nine games, he played six, and never stayed on the pitch for more than 67 minutes. Replaced or substitute, Minamino seems too frail physically and struggling in the intensity of the duels, we understand why he did not win in the Premier League."
Minamino has now become the second player who left Liverpool this summer to be heavily criticised following their arrival in a new country, with Divock Origi also recently being singled out after his Serie A switch.
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