The 14 Premier League Players Who Need To Prove Themselves This Weekend With Balotelli And Arsenal And Man United Stars Still Struggling

There are still some under-performing stars in the English top tier.

The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break and here are 14 players that CaughtOffside thinks really need to prove themselves.

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Mario Balotelli, Liverpool

Starting with perhaps the biggest underachiever of them all so far, Balotelli is yet to score a single league goal since completing a £16m switch from AC Milan over the summer and the Anfield faithful are already frustrated.

Wes Brown, Sunderland

Now 35-years-old there is perhaps a case to argue the centre-back is past it and the woeful performances that Brown has given so far this term suggests he either needs to improve or move on.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Tottenham Hotspur

Unwanted by Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, the striker may be able to win over the Argentine as he did with Tim Sherwood last year and Adebayor is keen to stay so needs to start scoring.

Bojan Krkic, Stoke City

A big summer signing for Stoke the forward has only just gotten off the mark and there is potential for him to become a genuine club legend if he fulfills his potential.

Dejan Lovren, Liverpool

The second Reds star now, with Lovren bought by Brendan Rodgers to solve his side’s defensive issues. but as yet the £20m man has proven to be nothing but a liability.

Eliaquim Mangala, Manchester City

Bought for a hefty £32m from FC Porto over the summer and had an impressive debut against Chelsea, but since then the France international has become increasingly unreliable and hasn’t solved City’s defensive issues as yet.

Juan Mata, Manchester United

Only arrived at Old Trafford in January for a then club record £37.1m fee, but is yet to reach the heights he did at Stamford Bridge previously and with injuries rife at United this is the ideal chance to prove himself.

Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal

This time last season people were falling over themselves to hail Ramsey as one of the best midfielders in Europe, but 12 months on and it seems to be the same unreliable Welshman that we became used to.

Emmanuel Riviere, Newcastle United

Newcastle have turned a corner in terms of their form, but this striker needs to start doing what he was bought from AS Monaco to do and that’s start scoring goals.

Jack Rodwell, Sunderland

Started well at the Stadium of Light following a move from the Citizens, but things have gone downhill for the midfielder since then and if he wants to be considered one of the best English players once again things need to improve.

Sandro, QPR

The Hoops spent a large amount of money on this Brazilian, but the 25-year-old has since managed to damage his knee celebrating in training and little else.

Andre Schurrle, Chelsea

Jose Mourinho is growing increasingly frustrated with this Germany international who showed so much form at the 2014 World Cup, but cannot transfer there to the domestic stage.

Yaya Toure, Manchester City

Last campaign the 31-year-old scored 20 league goals as his team won the title, but a few months on and something drastic has happened to Toure that makes the African seem like a completely different – and worse – player.

Robin van Persie, Manchester United

Finally it’s another 31-year-old who has been considered world-class in the past, but van Persie has struggled for form once again and with the Red Devils also having Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney competition is fierce.