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#3 Romelu Lukaku – Chelsea
Premier League giants Chelsea spent a club-record €113million to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan last summer.
The Belgian, who joined the Blues from boyhood club RSC Anderlecht in 2011, didn’t have the opportunity to make it big in his first spell. Now, returning as a mature and prolific centre-forward, the striker was expected to set the Premier League alight with his skills and goals.
Unfortunately, nothing has gone according to plan for the big Belgian. He has only scored five times in 16 Premier League games this season, often cutting a frustrating figure up top.
The 28-year-old also drew a lot of flak for the controversial interview where he confessed that his heart was still at Inter. Fortunately, the situation has since been resolved, courtesy of his public apology.
#2 Lionel Messi – Paris Saint-Germain
Keeping the great Lionel Messi on such a list seems absurd, but considering his lackluster goalscoring form in Ligue 1, we couldn’t help ourselves.
Since his move to Paris Saint-Germain at the start of the season, the Argentine has taken part in 12 French top-flight games. To everyone’s utter surprise, he has only scored one goal for the Ligue 1 club, although he has provided six assists.
The 34-year-old has taken 44 shots in Ligue 1, with 12 of those being on target. It is safe to say that his conversion rate has hardly been Messi-like in Ligue 1.
But his Champions League stats for the Parisians are great. The Argentina skipper has scored five goals in five UCL matches this season, proving that he hasn’t misplaced his shooting boots.
In the second half of the campaign, PSG fans will need Messi to bring his continental form to their great country.
#1 Jack Grealish – Manchester City
Impressed by his exploits in the 2020-21 Premier League season, Manchester City spent €117.5 million to bring Jack Grealish to the Etihad Stadium from Aston Villa last summer.
Stacked in midfield, the Citizens did not necessarily need Grealish’s services. Pep Guardiola, however, insisted on getting the versatile Englishman and his wish, was granted.
Although more comfortable as an attacking midfielder, Grealish has primarily been used as a left-winger this season. His dribbling skills and link-up play have been as impressive as ever, but he has lacked the much-needed decisiveness in the final third.
In 16 Premier League appearances this season, the England international has only registered two goals and as many assists. To put his numbers into perspective, he registered six goals and 15 assists in 26 matches for Aston Villa last season.
