Lukas Podolski has been voted the second-worst January signing in Serie A this season, but there was better news for Chelsea’s Mohamed Salah, who was voted the best thanks to his fine form for Fiorentina.
The poll was conducted by Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport, with readers voting only AC Milan loanee Alessio Cerci (46%), a bigger failure than Podolski (36%).
The German international Podolski moved to Inter Milan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season, but has not impressed in the Italian top flight, scoring 0 goals in nine appearances.
In contrast, the winger Salah has scored four goals in six games for Fiorentina. He is on loan in Florence on a 18-month deal.
Last weekend, the 29-year-old Podolski made the news for taking one of the worst corners of all time during Inter’s 1-0 defeat by Salah's Fiorentina, woefully chipping the ball to an opposing player who was standing just 10 yards away.
WATCH: PODOLSKI'S CORNER
After that match Inter coach Roberto Mancini could not hide his disappointment at Podolski's recent form, saying the forward is not doing enough at San Siro.
"Podolski must do more," Mancini said. "What he's doing is not enough and he's the first to recognise that."
Podolski has responded by saying that he can take the criticism aimed at him in Italy.
"You need to swallow [criticism] in professional football. There is always another direction, meaning a positive one," he told Sport1.
"I don't care for media or people being critical of me. I know that this is part of the business. It's important to know what you have to be better. The folks always want to see you hit rock bottom."
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