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Football is the ultimate team game. Unless everyone is on the same wavelength, teams find it tough to grind out results and eventually titles. Yet, having a couple of players with the ‘X-Factor’ and the ability to tilt the game in a jiffy doesn’t hurt.
Across the globe, there are numerous players who qualify to be included in the ‘world-class’ bracket. These players are those that turn up when the chips are down and emerge as the difference maker more often than not.
However, as is the norm with every sport, these players also go through sparkling purple patches while enduring a few grey ones along the way. Yet, the ability they hold in reserve helps them tide over the dark clouds easier than most.
Through this article, we would look at such world-class players who have hit a rocky road recently and represent players who are woefully out of form.
Without further ado, here are the 5 world class players who are enduring a rough patch currently:
#5 Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
The Croatian had a sensational 2017-18 season as he powered Real Madrid to an unprecedented 3rd successive Champions League crown while also dragging Croatia to the World Cup finals. However, this season, he has looked a pale shadow of the figure that inspired his sides to success.
Modric has visibly looked tired and exhausted since the season started. He was an ever-present for his club and country, which meant he played tons of games throughout the entirety of the season. A jaded Modric looking up to the heavens for inspiration has been an unfamiliarly common sight this term.
Modric’s loss of form and Real Madrid’s struggles are hardly any coincidence. The midfielder that generally makes Madrid tick is facing his own race against time to reclaim the form of last season.
Though the Croatian has all the ingredients to turn around his fortunes in the blink of an eye, he represents a player woefully out of form currently.
#4 Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United)
In January 2018, Alexis Sanchez made the controversial move from Arsenal to Manchester United. Since then, he has failed to re-discover the form that once placed him among the Premier League’s elite footballers.
A return of 3 goals and 5 assists in the league is hardly befitting of a player of Sanchez’s quality. Add to that the astronomical wages he is being paid and United could be forgiven to think if they got the better end of the bargain.
During his spell at Arsenal, Alexis took games by the scruff of the neck and changed its course through goals. At United, though he has looked busy on occasions, the end product so synonymous with him has gone missing.
The Chilean has lacked imagination and his failed attempts at pulling off the spectacular haven’t helped his case.
Manchester United seem to have stagnated under Jose Mourinho recently (despite their win in Turin). Additionally, reports that Sanchez is contemplating a move away have started doing the rounds. At a time when the Chilean could’ve been the game-changer United are dearly craving, he is spending time on the bench due to his inexplicable loss of form.
A long road lies ahead for Alexis and United would hope that he can leave the rocky terrain behind and enter the freeway.
#3 Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller, the player that was once indispensable for club and country now seems as dispensable as any. Though he might still come up with the odd crucial goal, the ‘world-class’ Muller is surely expected to do much more.
For a couple of years, Muller has looked out of sorts. Ever since Pep Guardiola left for Manchester, the German has seen himself being shunted out wide to accommodate other flair players.
Muller has never been a direct and dazzling dribbler. The German has always relied on his positioning and his movement to get into the right scoring positions. Recently, however, he has failed to create space for himself. With him not providing an end-product, he has looked a far cry from the player who won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup.
On occasions this season, Bayern have looked toothless in attack. Though Muller alone can’t be held responsible, he surely has had a major part to play.
Muller turns 30 next year and time could just be running out for him. For both his sake and Bayern Munich's, he needs to find his scoring boots immediately.
#2 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo left for newer pastures in the summer and with Zidane also accompanying him through the exit door, the onus fell on Sergio Ramos to act as the talisman for Real Madrid. However, in 2018-19, Sergio Ramos has been anything but that.
Real Madrid’s successes over the years were built on a strong defence, led by Ramos. This term, he has seemed shaky and his decision making questionable. While the Spaniard has come up with crucial goals, he has hardly inspired in his primary task: defending.
Ramos has been uncharacteristically error-prone and has had a role to play in several goals that the Bernabeu outfit have let in. Additionally, he has looked off the pace at times this season.
Real Madrid seem to have weathered an early-season storm, which culminated with a 5-1 Clasico defeat and the sacking of Julen Lopetegui. Although the new manager’s reign started with a couple of clean sheets, Madrid were back to shipping goals against Celta Vigo.
If Real Madrid are to enjoy even a fraction of their success over the years, they require Ramos to be at his best. At a time when Varane, Carvajal and Marcelo are struggling with injuries, the Spaniard needs to be the colossus he can be.
However, if he continues the form of the early season, one can expect Real Madrid to relinquish their Champions League crown.
#1 Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer spent the majority of last season on the sidelines with a foot injury. The injury kept him out of the game for more than a year and when he made his return, it seemed that the time out of the game had taken its toll.
At the World Cup, Neuer looked rusty and shambolic in his decision making. His position as a left winger when conceding to South Korea driving the point home emphatically.
Fast forward to this season and the same problems persist. Neuer re-defined the ‘sweeper keeper’ role with his overwhelming technical ability. However, this season, he has been guilty of over-playing, which has put an already dodgy defence under more strife.
The German’s greatest asset has been his shot stopping but he has shipped in a goal too many for his comfort since his return from injury.
A couple of years back, Neuer was the undisputed best goalkeeper on the planet. However, at this juncture, it would be an achievement if he is mentioned in the same breath as Jan Oblak or Ter-Stegen.
While the injury has certainly played a major role in his loss of form, he would want to put that behind him as swiftly as possible. Neuer has the quality to reclaim his place as the best on the planet but performances like these aren’t going to help his case.
