Manchester United had to wait for a long time to complete their hunt for a star striker this summer.
Their primary target was Liam Delap, available for a modest £30 million and viewed internally as the ideal long-term solution.
However, Delap opted for Chelsea despite United’s hierarchy passionately selling their project and pathway to stardom.
The Red Devils moved on to then-Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres, but the Swedish forward gave preference to Arsenal due to the lure of the UEFA Champions League.
Left with little margin for error, United eventually completed the blockbuster signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for a fee in the region of £73.7 million.
Now in December, the early transfer verdict is beginning to paint a clear picture.
Delap has already endured two separate injury setbacks, confining him to the treatment table for more than 60 days this season.
That figure is set to rise further, with the forward currently nursing a shoulder injury.
Across eight Premier League appearances for Chelsea, Delap has yet to register a single goal or assist.
Gyokeres has started 11 of the 14 matches he has featured in for Arsenal.
He has scored four times, including one goal from the penalty spot against Leeds United.
His most alarming display arrived yesterday against rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite playing for 81 minutes, Gyokeres made only three passes and lost possession eight times.
Wolves are among the poorest sides the Premier League has seen in recent years.
They look tactically lost, struggle to string passes together and rarely pose a genuine attacking threat.
Yet the Gunners needed two own goals to beat Wolves by 2-1.
Any side would suffer when effectively carrying a passenger for 81 minutes.
Sesko has produced two goals and one assist despite starting only six matches.
He is yet to take a penalty, unlike Gyokeres.
On average, Sesko outperforms the Arsenal forward in successful passes, duels won and shots on target in the league.
Some pundits may suggest Sesko is lagging behind Delap and Gyokeres, but the numbers and his overall influence tell a very different story.
Stats from Fotmob.com
