Arsenal
Before: 7 out of 10
After: 6 out of 10
Matthew Flamini signed for Arsenal shortly after their invincible title win in 2004. His first spell at the club was decent, playing over 150 games as a defensive midfielder. When he returned in 2013, he played a further 93 games in three seasons and scored five goals.
Aston Villa
Before: 5 out of 10
After: 9 out of 10
James Milner’s first spell at Aston Villa was average, with only one league goal in nearly 30 matches. However, in his second spell, he played over 120 games, scored over 20 goals, and even made it into England’s World Cup squad.
Brighton
Before: 7 out of 10
After: 9 out of 10
Glenn Murray scored 57 goals in his first spell at Brighton in the league one. Despite struggling at Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, he returned to Brighton and scored 23 goals in his first season, helping the team get promoted. He continued to perform well in the Premier League, scoring a total of 52 goals for the club.
Burnley
Before: 8 out of 10
After: 7 out of 10
Jay Rodriguez came through Burnley’s academy and had a great first spell, scoring 29 goals in two seasons. However, his return after seven years was not as successful, with injuries limiting his playing time. He still managed to score eight league goals in his second spell.
Chelsea
Before: 7 out of 10
After: 7 out of 10
David Luiz’s first and second spells at Chelsea were quite similar. He played over 100 games in both spells, scored 12 goals as a center back, and won trophies with the team.
Crystal Palace
Before: 9 out of 10
After: 1 out of 10
Andy Johnson had an incredible first spell at Crystal Palace, scoring 85 goals in 160 games, including 21 in the Premier League. However, his return in 2014 was disappointing, as he made only one appearance in the League Cup.
Everton
Before: 8 out of 10
After: 7 out of 10
Wayne Rooney’s first spell at Everton was not remarkable, but his return after 13 years was decent. He scored 11 goals in 31 games, including a memorable long-range goal against West Ham.
Fulham
Before: 7 out of 10
After: 3 out of 10
Chris Baird’s return to Fulham in 2016 was underwhelming. He played only seven games during the season in the Championship, as the club finished 20th.
Leeds
Before: 4 out of 10
After: 2 out of 10
Andy Lonergan had two spells at Leeds, first as the first-choice goalkeeper and then as a third-choice goalkeeper. He played a total of 42 games for the club but did not have a major impact.
Conclusion
Overall, the second spells of these players at their former clubs have had mixed results. While some players performed better in their second spell, others struggled to replicate their previous success.
