4) Robin van Persie
When Van Persie headed that wonder goal in the World Cup against Spain and sprinted half length of the pitch to give a high five to Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, the Manchester United faithful expected it to be an association that would continue to create such moments of genius in the coming premier league season. But 10 goals in 27 matches is below par for a player of his standard, a player who terrorised defences in two consecutive seasons between 2011 and 2013 with two different clubs.
It wouldn't be an understatement if someone said he literally carried a mediocre Arsenal team on his own shoulders and fired an ageing Manchester United side to a Premier League title. The aberration of Moyes era hurt Van Persie more than any other player and probably continues to hurt him. He is no longer a player who could score with well-timed volleys past helpless goalkeepers. He is now a grey-haired man with his back facing the goal and struggling to connect with his teammates.
But truth be told, Van Persie continues to make his intelligent runs but there is very less service. Dangerous through balls and audacious crosses no longer come his way.
| 2012/13 | 2014/15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots/game | 3.71 | 2.81 |
| Shot accuracy | 55% | 56% |
| Key passes/game | 1.63 | 0.89 |
| Chances created/game | 1.87 | 0.96 |
A huge reason for the failure of Van Persie was the lack of service from his teammates. He registers almost one shot less compared to that in 2012/13 season. He boasts a 56% shot accuracy which is one of the best in the league. One big difference has been in the way his teammates have got him involved.
United has been heavily criticised for playing cautious possession based football which often leaves their target man isolated at the other end. Under Ferguson, United played a direct approach and this is exactly the kind of playing style that can extract the best out of Van Persie.
Simply put, he has consistently failed to put the ball in the back of the net. He has lost his pace, and his touches and turns aren't as sharp as they used to be. A move to Serie A, if it materialises, is something Van Persie should accept whole-heartedly. With the immaculate technique he possesses, Van Persie can still be a great striker in the Serie A.
5) Petr Cech
Cech has had a disappointing season mainly because of the number of games he has started for Chelsea. Still just 33, he fell down the pecking order with Thibaut Courtois being the favoured number one for Jose Mourinho. Courtois is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world and being chosen ahead of Cech as the number one speaks volumes about his calibre. But for Cech, this is a dead end to his Chelsea career.
Despite the big command he has in the 18-yard box and all the nuisance he creates to the opposition players by charging ahead to punch the ball away in set pieces, it is highly unlikely that he will beat the young Courtois to regain his place.
| 2013/14 | 2014/15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 34 | 6 |
| Saves/goal | 2.26 | 7 |
| Distribution accuracy | 60% | 59% |
| Average distribution length | 38m | 47m |
| Goals conceded/game | 0.71 | 0.17 |
Petr Cech is as strong or even stronger than he used to be last season. His saves per goal figure has improved by nearly three times. His distribution accuracy is almost same and his distribution length is superior. The goals conceded per match has come down as he conceded just one goal in the six games he played. Bottomline: Cech is still Cech.
As far as a goalkeeper is concerned, playing till his early 40s is no big deal. And here we have a man who had an unbelievable determination to come back from a life threatening injury and stay in the elite club of goalkeepers. Van der Saar played at top level till 41 , David Seamen till 40. Schmeichel was 36 when he won the treble with Manchester United.
So how many years should we ideally expect Cech to continue at top level? At least five years, I would say. Don’t be surprised if Cech moves to another big club.
