We are less than a month away from the start of the new Premier League season and the excitement is already shooting through the roofs as teams prepare for a grueling 10 months. While managers are busy strengthening their respective squads, there is a certain set of footballers, who are keen to prove a point after failing to live up to the expectations of the fans and management over the year(s).
With the competitiveness in and around the squads, often we see a superstar being relegated to the rigors of lower tier football and we believe these players have to prove themselves in the coming season in order to avoid being deemed unnecessary to the requirements at their current homes.
#1 Theo Walcott
Not too long ago, the former Southampton man was touted to be the future of English football with his pace and an eye for a goal. However, things haven’t gone as per plan for the winger as he is currently struggling to establish himself as one of the mainstays of Arsenal as well as English football set-up. His failure to make it to even the preliminary England squad for the Euro 2016 has further lowered his stock amongst the footballing community.
Currently amongst the highest paid players at The Emirates, it’s time Walcott performed consistently on the pitch. At 27 years of age, he is in his prime and has even been handed a chance to play as a striker, a position he favours. His contract expires in 2019 and should he not live up to his billing in the upcoming season, we believe that the hierarchy at Arsenal would be forced into shipping him off.
#2 Memphis Depay
The belligerent winger moved to England last season on the back of a fabulous year with his previous club PSV Eindhoven. While the rumoured fee of £25 million that Manchester United paid for the youngster is not exorbitant in any manner, given his strengths, the Dutch international failed to reproduce his best form in England.
With Jose Mourinho in charge of the legendary club, his task of establishing himself as a Manchester United superstar as the Portuguese manager can be a tough boss to please and will not hesitate from putting him on the bench should he fail to deliver.
He has failed to live up to the physicality of English football and can often blow hot and cold during the games, a trait that Mourinho is not believed to be the biggest fan of.
#3 Oscar
Not too long ago, the internet was filled with rumors linking the Brazilian away from the Stamford Bridge. However, recent news suggests that new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte would be willing to hand the 24-year-old a chance to prove himself in the upcoming season. He has attracted divided attention from the Blues’ fan base ever since making his move from Brazil and its time the attacking midfielder silenced his critics by performing to the best of his abilities.
While attacking instincts have often been on display in the past, it’s his inability to contribute at the rear end of the pitch that could prove detrimental to him featuring in the long term plans of Conte, a manager who likes his players to push themselves physically for the greater benefit of the team.
#4 Gaston Ramirez
The Uruguayan midfielder, who was signed by Southampton for £12 million in 2012 proved to be one of the few moves by the club that has backfired in recent times. Ramirez featured just 48 times for the Saints and was shipped to Hull City and Middlesbrough in 2014-15 and 2015-16 season respectively. While he failed to impress at the KC Stadium in the top flight, his performances for Middlesbrough in the Championship last season turned a lot of heads.
Back in the Premier League with the club that he helped gain promotion; the Uruguayan has a final chance to prove his worth in the Premier League. A tricky customer to handle when on song, Ramirez would be critical to his side’s success and his fans will be hoping he does not buckle under the pressure like he did during his tenure at the St. Mary’s.
#5 Jordan Ibe
At just 20 years of age, Jordan Ibe could be slowly slipping into footballing obscurity, having failed to live up to the tag of the next big thing to come out of the Liverpool academy. His tendency to overdo and squander chances that his teammates create has often made him a subject of numerous unpleasant discussions amongst the Liverpool faithful.
However, the move to AFC Bournemouth serves the player in good stead as he can become a regular at his new club rather than having a bit part role to play like he did at Anfield. With the next World Cup not too far away and the qualification rounds set to begin soon, the former Wycombe Wanderers winger will have to perform consistently to improve on his fading reputation as one of the best in England.
