Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has delivered a stinging critique of Ade Akinbiyi, describing the ex-Nigerian striker as the “worst signing” he ever made.
Jordan, who was the CEO of the Premier League club from 2000 to 2010, did not hold back in his assessment of Akinbiyi’s performance at the club.
Jordan’s comments were made public through TalkSport, where he recounted his frustrations with Akinbiyi, who joined Crystal Palace in 2001.
The striker, bought for £2.2 million, failed to justify his hefty price tag during his time with the Eagles. In 24 appearances for the club, Akinbiyi managed to score just three goals.
Jordan’s remarks reflect his deep dissatisfaction with the transfer, highlighting that the money spent on Akinbiyi felt like a waste compared to the potential alternatives.
“Ade Akinbiyi was just useless,” Jordan said. “I wasted my time and money, and he wasted his own time.”
Jordan’s frustration was palpable as he described the process leading to the signing as a mistake from multiple angles.
“It was on the player, it was on the manager, and it was on me,” Jordan admitted. He explained that despite his reservations, he felt compelled to back the decision made by the manager at the time, which ultimately proved to be a costly error.
Jordan further elaborated on his disappointment, comparing the failed transfer to a missed opportunity.
“I was looking at the boat he was buying thinking ‘I could buy that boat if I wasn’t buying that club-footed clown that I know isn’t going to be of any use to me.’”
He lamented, “And that’s what I ended up doing and so he proved to be. I got neither the boat nor a decent player.”
Akinbiyi, born in England to Nigerian parents, had a career that included stints with various clubs before his time at Crystal Palace.
Known for his physical style of play, Akinbiyi struggled with consistency throughout his career.
His brief appearance in the Nigerian national team was limited to just one cap, which reflected his challenges at the club level.
Akinbiyi’s spell at Crystal Palace was marked by missed opportunities and underwhelming performances, which contributed to Jordan’s harsh assessment.
Despite the high expectations and substantial investment, the striker’s tenure at the club did not deliver the anticipated results.
Jordan’s comments serve as a reminder of the high stakes involved in football club management and the intense scrutiny that accompanies significant financial investments in players.
The pressure to deliver results often places owners and managers under the spotlight, especially when high-profile signings do not perform as expected.
The former Crystal Palace CEO’s candid reflections also underscore the complex nature of football transfers, where multiple factors—player performance, managerial decisions, and financial considerations—intersect.
Jordan’s admission highlights how even well-intentioned decisions can sometimes lead to disappointing outcomes.
Since leaving Crystal Palace, Simon Jordan has continued to be a prominent figure in football media and commentary.
His insights into the game’s operations and management challenges have made him a recognizable voice in discussions about football administration.
