January, it is said, is a bad time to do business. Either prices are inflated or you’re picking up problem players other clubs don’t want. This year, it seems, has proved no different. Big-money buys have struggled to impact, while loan signings, too, have not had the desired effect. Here, Sportsmail looks at five winter-window arrivals who have disappointed for their new employers… . Juan Cuardrado arrived at Chelsea for £23m from Fiorentina but has failed to impress at Stamford Bridge . Juan Cuadrado (Chelsea) For a fee in the region of £23m and arriving from Fiorentina with a reputation bloated by his impressive performance for Colombia at last summer’s World Cup, Cuadrado was expected to help fire Chelsea towards the Premier League and Champions League crowns. In nearly three months, however, he has played just over three hours of top-flight football, failing to score or create a goal in that period. The Colombian winger arrived with a big reputation after starring at the 2014 World Cup . Meanwhile, during the Champions League exit to PSG, Cuadrado appeared for just 11 minutes and remained a spectator as they were eliminated following the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps next season was always pencilled in for the explosive winger to make his impact, but the jury remains very much out based on his early efforts. Wilfried Bony (Man City) With Sergio Aguero perennially troubled by injury problems and Edin Dzeko about as reliable as his team-mate’s hamstrings, £28m Swansea striker Bony was supposed to be the man to take on the scoring mantle and see home City’s defence of their title. Wilfried Bony has netted only one goal as Manchester City have slipped out of the title race . His arrival, of course, was delayed by participation at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Bony has done little to breathe new life into City’s stuttering season. There has been just one goal – the opener in a routine 3-0 home win over West Brom – and he has missed the last two matches – including the derby defeat at Manchester United – after turning an ankle in training. The former Swansea striker scored more Premier League goals than any other player in 2014 . He has started just two games and his involvement during the Champions League defeat to Barcelona was restricted to 18 minutes at the Nou Camp. Bony will have to hit the ground running next season or his days at City could soon be numbered. Mauro Zarate (QPR) Perhaps the Argentinian should have taken the hint when Harry Redknapp tried to send him back to West Ham before he had even kicked a ball for the R’s. Mauro Zarate has failed to make an impression at Loftus Road during his loan . Premier League rules meant he had to stay and, four substitute appearances later, Zarate is yet to score or lay on a goal for his latest employers. Zarate fared slightly better at Birmingham City in 2008 when, during another loan stay, he netted four times. Zarate scored two goals in seven appearances for West Ham before being farmed out on loan . That, though, was not enough to keep the Blues in the Premier League and it looks as if he’ll have a second relegation on his C.V. come May. Callum McManaman (West Brom) The £4.75m capture of McManaman from Wigan was hailed as something of a coup given how he had impressed for the Latics on occasion. Callum McManaman's move to the Hawthorns has coincided with West Brom's slip into relegation battle . But therein lies the problem with the combative forward – getting him on the pitch and keeping him there. Talented, no doubt, but McManaman’s progress at The Hawthorns has been curtailed by an ankle problem and six appearances later he is yet to trouble the scorers. The Scotland international was one of the stars of Wigan's unlikely FA Cup victory in 2013 . He hasn’t featured for over a month and, in that time, West Brom have slid back towards the relegation mire. McManaman’s arrival was intended to help safeguard against such a scenario, so in that respect the signing has disappointed. Filip Djuricic (Southampton) Big things were expected of the Serbia international given Ronald Koeman’s prior knowledge of the skilful winger – who played for Heerenveen in Holland - and Southampton’s recent record in the transfer market. Ronald Koeman brought in the talented forward, but Filip Djuricic is yet to complete 90mins for the Saints . There have been flashes of promise but the 23-year-old is yet to play a full 90 minutes for the Saints and now finds himself sidelined with an ankle problem. Djuricic – on loan from Benfica – wants to make permanent his stay on the south coast, but injury could rob him of the chance to impress. The on-loan Benfica winger (left) will have to do more to make his move to St Mary's permanent .
Several January signings have failed to impress in the Premier League .
Chelsea winger Juan Cuardrado has barely played since Fiorentina move .
Wilfried Bony has scored one goal after leaving Swansea for Man City .
QPR tried to send Mauro Zarate back to West Ham before he flopped .
Callum McManaman has failed to show his Wigan form at West Brom .
Benfica's Filip Djuricic has struggled with injuries at Southampton .