The unbearable weight of high expectations

The summer transfer window in Greece's Super League this year was almost reminiscent of the era of seemingly boundless (albeit fragile, as it turned out) economic prosperity, with soccer clubs collectively spending some 50 million euros on new signings.

Panathinaikos emerged as the market leader, investing 19.8 million euros, with most of this sum going to Galatasaray (7 million euros) and Manchester United (6 million euros) for their two highest-profile additions: Mateus Cardoso Lemos Martins, AKA Tete, and Facundo Pellistri.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan midfielder had limited opportunities at Old Trafford, making just 25 appearances in four years. During approximately 150 minutes across eight of those matches, he shared the pitch with a player he will now face in Athens derbies against AEK.

Anthony Martial's transfer, however, was unquestionably the most...