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As we welcome in 2013, we all look forward to working on our New Year resolutions. There will be quite a number of players, whose Ne year resolution would include,proving to all their critics of last year that they belong at the top, that last year was just a blip.
Let’s look at some of the players who will be out to prove a point in the New Year.
When you look back at the year, on the face of it, Fernando Torres seems to have done it all – winner of the Champions League, FA Cup, Euros and Golden Boot.
When you dig deeper though, you realize that Torres has still not reached the world class standards that he had set in Liverpool. In fact, other than a few days here and there, he hasn’t even been close to that. Now, with Chelsea close to signing Ba, Torres will have some competition for the striker slot at Chelsea, something he didn’t face in the first half of the season.
Recently, with Benitez at helm, Torres has started scoring more regularly. This will be a very important year for the Spaniard, and he will be out to prove to all his doubters that some of the old Torres who mesmerized them in his Liverpool days is still there.
2. Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli. The headline boy. The boy who either makes headlines, or people just make headlines for him. The headlines are not always in favour of Balotelli.
The last time he was in the news, Balotelli had decided to drop his appeal against a two-week fine that the club had imposed upon him. Balotelli came into the new season after impressing one and all with his performance against Germany, and showcasing the extent of his talent.
Sadly for him though, since then, he would go on to show to those same people why we may never get to see him perform on that level on a regular basis. Balotelli has scored only one goal in 13 games in the league and has three in 18 in all competitions this season. He has completed 90 minutes in only one game this season.
His actions at the end of last season against Arsenal could have cost City the title. Mancini after game stated, “We have six games left and he will not play.”
It would be something of an irony then, that it would be Balotelli, of all people, who would set up THAT Aguero goal.
This will be a crucial year for Balotelli. He will have to try and ensure that he makes the headlines for the right reasons and not for the wrong ones. If he can do that, he has a big future ahead of him.
3. Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey did not have a great 2012. He was generally poor and a shadow of a player that he once was. Last season was a clear result of too many games too soon. He started the season well, but at the turn of the year his performances dipped. Playing 44 games in your first full season is not something which is very helpful, especially considering the injury he had just recovered from.
This season has seen him become a bit part player in the Arsenal squad. Wenger has used him on the right side more often than not this year, a position which Ramsey is clearly not comfortable with.
With almost two years back from the injury, Arsenal fans patience with Ramsey has been decreasing game after game. Ramsey will need to look deep inside and resurrect the Ramsey of old and win back the Arsenal fans. He needs to ensure that 2013 is not his last year as a Gunner.
4. Daniel Sturridge
One man army. Well, atleast that’s what he sees himself as. His dictionary lacks the word “pass” and he has become great friends with the bench he has been warming at Chelsea for most part of 2012.
Daniel Sturridge now, in 2013, is at a crossroads. He is currently 23, a time where footballers start moving towards their peak (unless you’re a Messi). He is still not old, but certainly not young either. This is the age where the talk of “potential” dies down, and “product” is what is talked about.
He is too inconsistent and fails to find his team mates far too often. He has all the potential to make it big, but now he needs to start performing regularly.
A move to Liverpool may seem as a backward step, but it’s a step which will hopefully help him move forward. 2013 is the year Daniel Sturridge gets to prove his doubters wrong and finally move forward in fulfilling the potential he has always shown. Liverpool will hope he does.
5. Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidic had been a rock at the heart of Manchester United‘s defence for almost 5 years. However, last year was one which was marred by injuries.
The injuries to his knees have no doubt affected the club, but this year Vidic will have a point to prove. He would want to prove that he can come out of the last horrific 16 months of injuries and keep players away from his goal. He will certainly need to be managed better now, but a fit and firing Vidic is as good as any defender in the world.
Vidic will want to prove that he can still be a first choice CB at Manchester United and captain of the English Club.
