There’s no guarantee that every bit of business conducted in the transfer market will prove a success.
Indeed, for every Colby Bishop, Lassana Diarra, Ricardo Rocha and Gavin Bazunu, there could easily be a Djimi Traore, Theofanis Gekas or Mike Williamson lying unexpectedly in await, too.
There’s no scientific explanation why a transfer can turn sour for one and be a huge success for another.
However, the nature of modern football, with players and managers changing clubs so often, means there's always going to be those who struggle to perform in a short space of time.
Like the majority of clubs, Pompey have found that out for themselves in recent years.
And with another transfer window on the horizon, the pressure will once again be on the Blues to get it right.
But what lessons can be learned?
Well, if the list below is anything to go on, there’s plenty of case studies to refer back to.
Of course, not everyone included is a bad player. It just didn't work out for them at Fratton Park for whatever reason.
The list doesn’t include anybody presently at the club. But let us know if there's anyone you think escaped it who deserves to be on the list from the Michael Eisner era.
There’s no scientific explanation why a transfer can turn sour for one and be a huge success for another.
![The loan striker made 10 appearances for the club, registering one goal and an assist. The on-loan Norwich forward failed to reach the heights he displayed in pre-season and was subsequently allowed to return to Carrow Road in January 2022 in order to facilitate a move to Burton.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNhNjVlZmUxLTg3MmEtNDc2Ni1iODY4LTNlODMzYTZkMjZiNjpkMGNjMjA3NC1mN2NkLTQ3YmQtOTYzNi04YjE2ZmM0NjYyMTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
21. Gassan Ahadme
The loan striker made 10 appearances for the club, registering one goal and an assist. The on-loan Norwich forward failed to reach the heights he displayed in pre-season and was subsequently allowed to return to Carrow Road in January 2022 in order to facilitate a move to Burton.Photo: Jason Brown
![The on-loan Arsenal midfielder struggled to break into the Pompey side last season, despite their indifferent start to the campaign. Azeez ended up featuring just 10 times for the Blues in all competitions. Meanwhile, only two of those appearances resulted in full 90-minute outings in League One. That lack of game time, plus manager Danny Cowley’s wish to freshen up his options in the January transfer window, saw the teenager promptly return to the Emirates Stadium.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNiYWRmODc5LTMxZmEtNDc0MS04MGVkLWYyNTUwM2U1MDM3Yzo3YzNkOWM5OS1mODBiLTRhYTItYmY3OS05YTE3MjEwN2VlNzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
22. Miguel Azeez
The on-loan Arsenal midfielder struggled to break into the Pompey side last season, despite their indifferent start to the campaign. Azeez ended up featuring just 10 times for the Blues in all competitions. Meanwhile, only two of those appearances resulted in full 90-minute outings in League One. That lack of game time, plus manager Danny Cowley’s wish to freshen up his options in the January transfer window, saw the teenager promptly return to the Emirates Stadium.Photo: Stephen Flynn
![The Coventry striker joined Pompey in January 2022 as Danny Cowley reshaped his forward department in a bid to make his side more clinical in front of goal. However, Walker netted just one goal in 15 outings as he struggled to make a Blues impact.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZmMTRjMzIyLWFjYjItNDhmNy1hYjkyLTE3OWRiOTU2Y2UzNjplMmE4MmMyOC05OWIyLTQwMWEtYjkxZS01YjdjNjRhMTkwNTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
23. Tyler Walker
The Coventry striker joined Pompey in January 2022 as Danny Cowley reshaped his forward department in a bid to make his side more clinical in front of goal. However, Walker netted just one goal in 15 outings as he struggled to make a Blues impact.Photo: Graham Hunt
![The Huddersfield winger was Pompey’s signature deadline day signing last September, as Danny Cowley concluded his summer spending. Yet, the former Lincoln ace failed to impress during his four-month spell at Fratton Park. This saw him net twice in 16 league outings. Koroma’s stay at Fratton was cut short half-way through his season-long loan with the Blues.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdjZjMzYmI0LTA5MzktNGQ3NC05ZGRlLTJmMjY0NzUzNjUzYjpjMWJiMDE2Ny03MWQ0LTQ0MTgtOWZhMy00ZjJkOTJkNGY2NGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
24. Josh Koroma
The Huddersfield winger was Pompey’s signature deadline day signing last September, as Danny Cowley concluded his summer spending. Yet, the former Lincoln ace failed to impress during his four-month spell at Fratton Park. This saw him net twice in 16 league outings. Koroma’s stay at Fratton was cut short half-way through his season-long loan with the Blues.Photo: Jason Brown