Ten Premier League players who failed to live up to expectation in 2012/13.
10. Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
The Polish shot-stopper found himself dropped to the bench for much of the second half of the season after a series of high-profile individual errors. Now 23, he is not just a promising youngster feeling his way into the team, and needs to be able to do better on a more consistent basis. His time on the bench seemed to do him good as he found his way back into the team towards the end of the season, but one can understand Arsene Wenger’s search for a new goalkeeper in the summer transfer window, as Szczesny just hasn’t shown himself to be reliable enough.
9. Grant Holt (Norwich City)
After a prolific career in the lower leagues, Grant Holt finally made the step up to Premier League football with Norwich in 2011/12, and seemed to find the transition easy, with an impressive 15 goals in the top flight. The tall target man was a nightmare for defenders with his all-round play and physical presence, and many neutrals were calling for him to get a call-up to the England squad for Euro 2012. However, despite scoring more league goals than the likes of Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck who did get call-ups, Holt was left out. This season has then been a bit of a disappointment for Holt, scoring only 8 times in the league and not looking as threatening in Chris Hughton’s new-look Norwich side. Maybe a one-season wonder?
8. Nikica Jelavic (Everton)
Nikica Jelavic joined Everton from Rangers in January 2012 for just £5million, and immediately looked like a bargain after showing himself to be one of the most clinical finishers in the Premier League. The Croatian settled quickly in England, and scored 11 goals in just 16 games for his new club, including important strikes in big games against Manchester United and Tottenham. His fine form saw him quickly linked with moves to bigger sides such as Arsenal, but his form has deserted him in his second season at Goodison Park, where he has scored just 7 times in 37 league games, a record most strikers would be disappointed with. He is now being linked with a move away from the club again, though this time it’s unlikely to be names like Arsenal showing an interest.
7. Nani (Manchester United)
It was a very disappointing season for all of United’s wingers, who inexplicably managed to notch up very many assists between them even with the lethal Robin van Persie upfront. Nani is arguably the most disappointing of the lot, considering his potential for the spectacular that he has shown in recent years. With just 1 goal and 2 assists in the league this season, he could be set for a summer exit, with interest from the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid clearly showing that he is still a player who is seen as having great ability when on form. Although he was hardly Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani had been starting to look like a player who could provide double figures in goals and assists for the Red Devils, but who looks to have totally lost his touch this season.
6. Clint Dempsey (Tottenham)
After a good few years at Fulham, Clint Dempsey really enjoyed his breakthrough season in 2011/12, scoring 23 times from midfield for the Cottagers and attracting interest from several big clubs. In the end, Tottenham got him for what looked like a bargain deal of £6million, and much was expected of the United States international. However, Spurs seem to have been unable to find a role in the team for him, and his moving from various attacking positions has sometimes seen him looking a little lost out on the wing, or playing as an out-and-out striker, which doesn’t seem to suit him. He finished the season with only 9 goals and with hindsight doesn’t look like a player who was right for a big club, perhaps more suited to being a big fish in a small pond at Fulham. After just one season at White Hart Lane, the 30-year-old is one of many names said to be on the club’s transfer list as Andre Villas-Boas looks to clear out his squad players.
5. Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
Thomas Vermaelen seemed like the ideal candidate to captain Arsenal following Robin van Persie’s departure, but for some reason the burden of the armband has apparently brought out the worst in the Belgian defender. The 27-year-old’s poor form saw him dropped to the bench along with Szczesny for much of the second half of the season, and he is now being linked with moves away. Interest from the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United suggests he still has something to offer, but he hasn’t looked the same player this year and perhaps isn’t the battling leader everyone thought he was. Together, he and Szczesny have been at fault for a large chunk of goals conceded by Arsenal this season, which just isn’t good enough from two senior players.
4. Papiss Cisse (Newcastle)
Like Nikica Jelavic at Everton, Newcastle’s £9million January signing Papiss Cisse was one of the biggest starts of the second half of last season, scoring an incredible 13 goals in 14 matches, including one of the best goals ever seen in the Premier League against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This time he managed just 8 goals in 36 games, and looked well off the boil for much of the campaign, playing second fiddle to Demba Ba in the first half of the season, but still not looking at his best when made the focal point of the team following Ba’s departure to Chelsea in January. The 27-year-old is now wanted by Borussia Dortmund, and perhaps a move is what he needs to get his career back on track, as Newcastle had a poor season all-round this year.
3. Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Joe Hart looked like one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Manchester City’s title winning season of 2011/12, pulling off many memorable saves at crucial times throughout the campaign. This time round, however, he has looked a little ordinary at times, with City managing a much poorer defensive record. Some of that has been the fault of the players in front of him, as the team struggled in general for much of the year, but he himself has made some individual errors and conceded some soft goals on a few occasions. It is probably just a dip, but a disappointing one for a ‘keeper of such ability.
2. David Silva (Manchester City)
After playing so many games for club and country over the last few years, Manchester City’s David Silva has simply looked exhausted for much of this season. The skillful midfield playmaker was a vital part of City’s title winning team the season before, and there’s no doubt his dip in form was a big factor in Roberto Mancini’s side’s turn in fortunes this time round. Having contributed 8 goals and a superb 21 assists in 2011/12, he only managed 5 goals and 12 assists in 2012/13. For most players that wouldn’t be considered too bad, but Silva is capable of much more when he’s at his influential best, and there’s no surprise City are seeking other midfield playmakers in this summer’s transfer window to take the pressure off him to provide the goods. With more rotation and rest, Silva would surely be back to his best next season.
1. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
After 34 goals for Manchester United in 2011/12, a strike partnership with Robin van Persie looked like a mouth-watering combination for this season. The two were the top Premier League scorers in 2011/12, but it ended up being Rooney who played a more subdued role as van Persie continued to star when he joined United from Arsenal. The Dutchman became the team’s main striker, scoring 30 times, while Rooney ended up looking a bit out of sorts as he filled in in midfield and on the wings. The 27-year-old still managed 16 goals, but never looked close to his best in a frustrating campaign. With this bit-part role in the team, he is rumoured to have submitted a transfer request at Old Trafford and could move on this summer. Many big clubs still rate him and could make a move, but it might be risky after some of that well-known spark looks to have gone.