Abdul Baba Rahman was a surprise signing for Chelsea in August.
The £22million deal struck was met by raised eyebrows in Germany - and mutterings of concern about the Premier League's increasing wealth.
The Ghanaian left back had cost Augsburg less than ten per cent of that fee just a year earlier.
That move, from Greuther Furth, was fuelled by a desire to make a step up in his career, while still getting regular first team action.
His struggles at Stamford Bridge, then, could be attributed to taking too big of a leap too soon.
That cause hasn't been helped by the chaos surrounding him, and with the microscope on his performances brightened by the Blues' need for someone, anyone, to produce the goods.
And his chances have hardly come thick and fast - getting just five run-outs under Jose Mourinho.