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#3 Timothy Castagne | Leicester City
Leicester City's new full-back Timothy Castagne arrived at English shores at the beginning of the 2020-21 Premier League season after an immensely successful three-season stint at Atalanta.
Castagne had a dream start to his Premier League career, scoring on his competition debut against West Bromwich Albion. The Belgian started in the Foxes’ first six Premier League games. He registered a goal and two assists in this period, including one in Leicester’s 5-2 thrashing of Premier League champions-elect, Manchester City.
Much like Rodriguez, though, Castagne has been severely hindered by recurring injuries this season. A thigh muscle strain relegated him to the sidelines on two different occasions for a combined period of over two months.
The 25-year hasn’t been able to recapture his early-season form since his return from injury. His slump has coincided with Leicester City’s poor run in the Premier League of late. However, after a stunning win against Chelsea in the FA Cup final, Castagne and the Foxes will look to end their Premier League campaign strongly.
#4 Kurt Zouma | Chelsea
Kurt Zouma established himself as an integral part of Chelsea's first team under Frank Lampard.
The Frenchman started 15 of Chelsea’s first 17 Premier League games of the season. Zouma scored four goals in this period and was one of Chelsea’s best players in the first half of the season.
However, the arrival of Thomas Tuchel in January this year has reduced Zouma’s game time; the 26-year-old failed to make a Premier League appearance in Tuchel’s first five league games in charge.
Moreover, Zouma has played a combined total of 90 minutes in the Champions League knockout stage, making only one appearance out of a possible six. While Zouma was better suited to the flat-four at the back under Lampard, he has struggled with Tuchel’s three-at-the-back defensive system.
#5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Arsenal
Arsenal are enduring one of their worst Premier League campaigns in recent years and find themselves on the brink of missing out on a European spot for the first time in 25 years.
A significant reason for Arsenal’s failures this season has been the absence of a senior figure in attack, thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s poor form in the latter half of the season. The Gabon international has registered only 15 goals across all competitions this season, including ten in the Premier League.
However, the Arsenal captain has not been able to lead from the front in a season where the Gunners have lacked firepower in the attacking third. While the likes of Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were expected to take the bulk of the responsibility of creating and scoring goals, the North Londoners have had to rely on their teenagers for attacking output.
20-year old Emile Smith Rowe and 19-year old Bukayo Saka have been Arsenal’s attacking outlets this season. While they have performed admirably, Mikel Arteta and co. have missed the presence of an experienced centre-forward.
