Premier League: 7 of the biggest disappointments so far

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

The first month of the EPL has had its highs and lows. Teams such as Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City have led the way in terms of results. Surprise results such as Man Utd’s loss to Brighton, Man City’s draw against Wolves and Spurs defeat to Watford have shown that the EPL is as unpredictable as ever.

Many players carried high expectations going into the season and have failed to deliver in the opening games. While the campaign is long and arduous, we would undoubtedly be hoping for better performances from these big names.

Here is our selection of the biggest disappointments of the FPL season so far. Players have the hype that surrounded them before the season and their general performances.

---

#7 Leroy Sane – Manchester City

The German was infamously snubbed from the German National squad going into this year’s World Cup. This came as a shock to many as Sane had been one of the standout performers at Man City last season. He had scored 10 goals and provided 15 assists in the previous season. This had led him to be awarded the PFA young player of the year award.

Expectations were high from the winger going into the new season. Many of City’s first team had gone far at the WC and returned pretty late into the pre-season. This was seen as a perfect opportunity for Sane to become his team’s main man. Him relatively fresher than the rest of the squad while also having a point to prove for his omission.

All those expectations have been shattered in the opening month of the season and Sane is yet to even start a game. He has clocked only 30 minutes on the pitch in total and was also left out of the matchday squad against Newcastle. The player is not injured which means there are other reasons involved for his lack of play. Pep Guardiola has reportedly commented that Sane is far from his best currently.

It remains to be seen how Sane makes a comeback into the team. With such obvious quality in his bag, the PFA young player of the year would be surely hoping to turn his season around.

#6 Alvaro Morata – Chelsea

After a dazzling start to the season last year, Morata fizzled out as the campaign went on. The goals dried up and the injuries piled on. He ended the season with a somewhat underwhelming return of 11 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League.

This season under new boss Sarri, the striker was being predicted to be pushed on to the standards that he is well capable of. The opening month has, however, been underwhelming again for the Spanish striker. He has so far scored only once in the last 4 games and has been substituted off pretty early at often times.

Chelsea have been good as a team but most of the goals so far most have been scored by the wingers in the side. Oliver Giroud is looking to come up as the main center-forward in the team and might just be successful in doing so if Morata’s current form continues.

#5 Eric Bailly – Manchester United

Manchester United problems began early in preseason when they failed to get a reinforcement at center back- something that Jose Mourinho so desperately wanted. The opening weeks of the season have gone by and it is evident why the manager was so desperate.

United conceded 7 goals in the opening three games, a stat that is baffling since Mourinho’s sides are usually so good at the back. Ivorian defender Eric Bailly was largely at fault for a shaky display in defense. While United’s other defenders save for Luke Shaw haven’t been any better, Bailly stands out because of his inherent quality and the usual expectations that surround him at the club. Seeing him struggle at the back was a worrying feature for the club’s fans.

ManUtd did manage their first clean sheet against Burnley, but Bailly only came on as a late substitute. The season is a long one and the manager has to make do with the players he’s got. Bailly for one is an extremely talented player and needs to rediscover his form to help stabilize a fledgling United side.

#4 Pierre Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal

The Gabonese striker would have heaved a sigh of relief after scoring his first goal of the season against Cardiff before heading into the international break. His form in the opening games was wretched, to say the least where he had missed sitters, especially in the game against Chelsea. This after him being one of the most hyped players going into the season.

And for good reason- Aubameyang has been a goal machine for his previous club Dortmund and scored nearly a goal a game when he arrived at Arsenal in January. It was hence, tough seeing the Arsenal striker fluff his lines in important games.

Arsenal have gotten back to back wins after a tough start and Aubameyang has finally managed opened his account. Gooners will be hoping that the goals from their striker flow in regularly from this point on in the season.

#3 Andriy Yarmolenko – West Ham

The Ukrainian winger arrived amidst much excitement at the Hammers among a number of other big-name signings. This along with new Manager Manuel Pellegrini created an environment of optimism around the East London club.

However, after 4 games and 4 losses, West Ham lie at the bottom of the table. Their star winger is yet to start a game or give any attacking return as the club further runs into a tough set of fixtures.

Yarmolenko has been a star player for his country as well as his old club Dynamo Kyiv for several years. He has at times been their primary goal-getter with 35 goals for Ukraine till date as well as 137 for Dynamo Kyiv. Those are some impressive numbers but he failed to bring this form over to Borussia Dortmund and so far at West Ham.

Yarmolenko’s contribution has as yet been minimal, but he has managed to show instances of his renowned spark. The season is long and fans will be eager to see why the winger is considered one of the best in his country.

#2 Fred – Manchester United

Another United player on the list. Fred can perhaps be excused as he is yet to settle into his new team and adapt to the Premier League. But the Brazillian’s irrelevance in United’s midfield has been a sign of worry for some supporters.

Fred is known as a tenacious midfielder who has a keen eye for a forward pass as well as having the talent to tackle effectively. However, his understanding of the new league was put to the test in the opening games and he could not put in much of an impact for his team.

Fred then did not feature in the club’s win against Burnley as the manager gave him time to integrate with his new surroundings. There are not many who currently seem excited about the midfielder’s prospects. Fred has a lot of work to do in order to change that.

#1 Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham

Fans were certainly hoping a lot more from the young player being touted as the next Gareth Bale or a Marcelo. Sessegnon had an astounding season for Fulham in the championship where he scored 16 goals and provided 8 assists, leading his team into the Premiership.

Still only 18, the youngster came into the EPL with much hype and expectations. Let’s just say, there is still a lot to see from the English defender/winger. He started the first two games, even providing an assist for Mitrovic before being used only as a substitute in the next two. Andre Schurrle seems to be getting preference on the left wing over Sessegnon at the moment.

This might be a good tactic from the Fulham manager to ease the young payer into the big league, but football fans would nonetheless be hoping to see a lot more of the player that they’ve heard so much about. It is up to see whether Sessegnon lives up to the high expectations set upon him.

Will the rest of the season be better than his first month.