The ten most overrated footballers in the world right now.
There are always a few, players that everyone else seems to love and hype even though they’re not worth it. Whether it’s because they never had it in the first place, are overpriced, or just living off former glories, there are always going to be some high profile names that just aren’t worthy of the humongous paycheques the collect on a weekly basis.
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10. Iker Casillas – Real Madrid
At one point the Spaniard was rightfully billed as the best goalkeeper in the world. His acrobatic feats were second to none and he was instrumental in any successes that his club and country enjoyed. However, he is no longer seen as a priority with Real, who have dropped him and relegated him to cup duty, and because of that his international form has suffered. At the World Cup he looked a shadow of his former self, suggesting that this was a man whose powers have deserted him.
9. Gerard Pique – Barcelona
When Pique first left Manchester United to join Barca many were surprised at just how good he was. His towering presence at the back was beset by a proclivity to surge forward and make a nuisance of himself at the other end of the pitch. However, as the years have rolled by he has himself admit that he is no longer one of the best defenders in the world, and it is not unfair to argue that one of the main reasons he is still in the headlines is because of his celebrity wife, Shakira. Barca had to replace club legend Carles Puyol over the summer, but they would have done just as well to replace Pique.
8. David Luiz – Paris Saint Germain
The Brazilian undoubtedly has a lot going for him. He’s a popular figure with teammates and fans, he is versatile and possesses a rocket of a free kick. However, is he worth £50m? No way! And this was highlighted at the World Cup when Brazil were humbled by a defensive humiliation headed by the former Chelsea man when they lost 7-1 to eventual winners Germany. He has a lot to do to prove that he’s worth the outlay.
7. Jack Wilshere – Arsenal
Undoubtedly a very talented player, but he is far from the savour of the English game that he’s been tipped to be. Having spent more time on the sidelines and in the headlines than in the Arsenal team, and as a midfielder he often struggles against opponents who can outmuscle the 5’7’’ star. Having spent most of his time on the deck last season looking at the referee, he managed to notch just three goals for the entire campaign, a stark contrast to his Welsh cohort Aaron Ramsey, who only seems to be getting better and better.
6. Hulk – Zenit St Petersburg
Hulk managed to not score in any of his six games at the World Cup this summer, and even endeavoured to miss a penalty. He is consistently linked with moves to bigger clubs during the transfer window, but none ever make a concrete offer. The fees quoted are often astronomical, which is amazing when you consider that he is yet to play in any of Europe’s five major leagues.
5. Joe Hart – Manchester City
Iker Casillas managed to wait until the twilight of his career to suffer a crisis in confidence, something Hart failed to do at just 27. Having found success at a young age, Hart’s list of high profile blunders seems to grow with every passing year. He was dropped for a short while last term, but managed to regain his place, but that was likely because his replacement was no better than him, and Manuel Pellegrini went out and purchased a more competitive back up option in anticipation of it happening again.
4. Fernando Torres – AC Milan
Fernando Torres was at one point the best striker in the world, but that must seem like a long time ago now, as he is nowhere near that point any longer. Last season, Torres managed only five goals in 28 Premier League appearances. The season before he scored eight League goals in 36 appearances. This is not good enough for a player that cost the Blues so much money and is a far cry from the form he displayed at Liverpool when he first made the switch over to England.
3. Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich
Franck Ribery has been a fixture in the Bayern Munich setup during a very successful stretch in the club’s history, but he has also been a mainstay in one of the worst stretches in France’s history, too. He has seen the side crash out of every major tournament early since 2006, and didn’t even make it the distance in 2010 after a high profile argument with coach Raymond Domenech. Where he has been a success domestically, he has struggled internationally, and in a side like France’s that should not be happening.
2. Mesut Ozil – Arsenal
There was an expectation of success for Mesut Ozil following his £42.5 million transfer from Real Madrid to Arsenal, and though he managed to clock up five goals and nine assists in his 26 Premier League appearances, he struggled enormously to recapture that form in the Champions League. He missed a penalty in the mauling at the hands of Bayern Munich, which was quickly followed up by another in the 5-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool. Time will tell this season over whether he is capable of bouncing back or whether he has hit his ceiling.
1. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Wayne Rooney is a player capable of scoring goals of spectacular quality. However, when he is not smashing overhead kicks against Premier League opposition, Rooney often goes missing for matches at a time. He finally managed to score his first goal at a World Cup this summer after a series of high profile blunders at international level. He often looks uninterested during Premier League campaigns, and a decision to make him captain could prove costly as teams often have to build around him as opposed to somebody more effective.
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