The candidates for the most disappointing player of 2014…
The candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or award have recently been announced, with the world’s cream of the crop looking on with interest to see who will be voted the best footballer of 2014. But we here at CaughtOffside have decided to take something of a different slant.
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So was born the Ballon d’Ordinary award, and here are the top ten candidates:
10) David Luiz (Paris Saint Germain)
Fell out of favour with Chelsea at the start of 2014, with the Blues agreeing to sell him to PSG. He then led Brazil to the heaviest defeat in their history: 7-1 against Germany, in the World Cup semi-final, on home soil.
9) Roberto Soldado (Tottenham Hotspur)
The goalscoring qualities he displayed at Valencia have deserted him at Tottenham. Has struggled to adapt to Premier League football. His missed penalty against Manchester City summed up his year.
8) Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)
A year to forget for the midfielder as he failed to sparkle after joining Man United from Everton last summer. He was even booed by his own fans at Old Trafford. Has improved recently, even finding the net against West Brom.
7) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
His slip in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea last season saw Liverpool capitulate in the Premier League title race. He was a shadow of his usual self at the World Cup with England. Looks to be playing with the weight of the world on his shoulders so far this season.
6) Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)
The Japan star failed to reproduce his best form in two years at Manchester United and returned to Borussia Dortmund over the summer, whose form has subsequently plunged after several successful years.
5) Kaka (Orlando City / Sao Paulo)
His second stint at Milan was unfortunately not as memorable as his first and he duly left the club for MLS side Orlando City over the summer. The move did at least earn him a recall to the Brazil squad.
4) Fernando Torres (Chelsea / AC Milan)
Even the arrival of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea failed to spark Torres into life. The 30-year-old was loaned to Milan in August but has continued to disappoint in Italy. His career looks to being going backwards at a rapid rate.
3) Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Without the retired Carles Puyol by his side in the Barcelona back four, the centre-back has been exposed and made too many individual errors. Has struggled to keep his place in the team.
2) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The midfielder has been criticised for failing to produce in big games and has disappeared too often when Arsenal have needed him most. Now injured, and out until the start of next year.
1) Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)
The striker flopped at the World Cup and was then sold to Liverpool by AC Milan, before being widely-criticised for his early performances at Anfield. Why Always Me? That’s fairly self explanatory really Mario.
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