'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The England national team had a memorable outing at Euro 2020. After an exhausting and hectic season, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the English players helped the Three Lions finish as runners-up at the continental competition.
Some of these players have started the new season amazingly well. The likes of Declan Rice, Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and others have had a positive start to the 2021-22 season.
That being said, some Englishmen are struggling to kickstart their season. It is not easy to perform at the highest level consistently without having a difficult phase and some of the English players are going through that. On that note, let's take a look at five English superstars who have failed to find the desired form so far this season:
#5 Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United)
The English midfielder came through the ranks at Leeds United. Ever since joining them at the age of 14, Kalvin Phillips has been a loyal player for the Whites. He made his senior debut in the summer of 2014 and has been a regular starter for them since.
Under the management of Marcelo Bielsa, Phillips has grown into one of the finest defensive midfielders in the Premier League. With his positioning, smart reading, and understanding of the game, the Englishman tends to help protect his backline effectively. His game style allows the full-backs to be more attacking and is therefore highly-rated by the Argentine manager.
After having an impressive Euro 2020, Phillips has somewhat struggled in the Premier League in the new season. He's very capable of turning it around and hopefully it is only a matter of time before he imposes authority in midfield again.
#4 Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
The English left-back had a very impressive 2020-21 season. Despite receiving criticism from former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, Luke Shaw has fought his way back.
The former Southampton defender was quite dynamic and impactful on the left last season. He recorded five assists and scored a goal, playing an instrumental role in helping Manchester United finish second in the Premier League. Post that, he did well at Euro 2020, scoring the opening goal in the final for England.
This season, though, Shaw has looked a bit rusty and has been frequently caught out of position. This has resulted in Manchester United conceding goals and thus affected the outcome of the games. With the character the Englishman has shown in his career, this is surely a small phase of difficulty that he has to overcome.
#3 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Raheem Sterling was the name on the lips of many as he played a vital role in helping England reach the final of Euro 2020. He was arguably one of England's best players in the tournament.
Last season, the right-footed attacker was crucial in helping Manchester City win the Premier League. He scored 10 goals and recorded seven assists in the league. He has been an important player in the way Pep Guardiola wants City to play.
With the arrival of Jack Grealish in the summer and the incredible squad depth the Premier League Champions have, Sterling faces a massive challenge to play regularly. In the seven matches City have played this season, the former Liverpool forward has managed to start only two of them.
He has only scored once in the chances he has had in the league. Out of all his seasons with the Cityzens, the current season will demand the most amount of consistency from Sterling. In order to play more frequently, the 26-year old will have to be more impactful.
#2 Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Jadon Sancho was linked with a move to Manchester United ever since the summer of 2020. Borussia Dortmund managed to keep the Englishman last season but this summer, the Red Devils succeeded in signing him.
It is safe to say that Sancho was one of the most dashing players in the Bundesliga during his time at Dortmund. In his 104 appearances for the club, the English winger scored 38 goals and recorded 45 assists. It was amazing to see him tear apart the defense with his mind-boggling dribbling and creative abilities.
Playing in the Premier League is not an easy task and we have seen how players from the Bundesliga have struggled at first to play in England. One good example of that is Chelsea's Kai Havertz. The German looks more settled now after one season and the same is expected of Jadon Sancho. The winger may not be looking his best right now but once he's past the initial phase, we might see the terrific player that he is.
#1 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
It was very likely that Harry Kane would have signed for Manchester City this summer but that did not happen. Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy was reluctant to sell his best player to a Premier League club and did not budge irrespective of the massive bids put in by the league champions.
The England captain did accept the decision before the end of the summer transfer window and was all set to put everything behind him. Kane has been arguably one of the best strikers in the world over the past few years. He has been a goal-scoring monster in the Premier League and it is only understandable why top clubs are after his signature.
This season though, the striker has struggled in front of goal. Despite playing in six matches for Spurs in the league, the three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner has failed to register a single goal or assist. It is very unlikely that Kane will undergo such a phase again. Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be counting on the Englishman to turnaround his poor form and help the north London club become a force again.
