Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Kalvin Phillips, Heung-Min Son, N’Golo Kante – now there is a handful of players who once again put in fantastic seasons for their teams in the 2020/21 campaign.
It was a tough campaign since the games were played behind closed doors and the COVID-19 protocols made matters difficult for managers and players alike. But they performed and put on some fabulous entertainment and breathtaking action week after week.
However, that can’t be said for everyone, as a number of players simply had a campaign to forget. We’re taking a look at a sorry six who just couldn’t get going last season and will hope for better fortunes in the 10 months to come.
Three strikers who started the 2020/21 Premier League season banging in form just failed to live up to very high expectations and there are another three players who moved to new clubs where we anticipated big things, but they just failed to produce.
Anthony Martial: Manchester United
Even Anthony Martial’s biggest fans would struggle to defend the Frenchman’s efforts in Manchester United’s best campaign for years.
He was brilliant in the 2019/20 season as he made up a lethal partnership with Marcus Rashford and scoring 23 goals in all competitions – which was his best return since his transfer to Old Trafford from Monaco.
The 25-year-old forward is yet to hit his peak but he followed those heights with as poor a season as he has had at Old Trafford.
He managed just four goals from 23 games and maybe he struggled to play without the fans, but that was an amazing comedown for the gifted player.
While the pre-season Premier League 2021 betting odds pitch Manchester United as fourth favourites, the Red Devils are hoping to get closer to the title in the coming season and I doubt whether Martial will be part of the plans.
Sadio Mane: Liverpool
Here at SBOTOP, we expected Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to defend their title with real determination.
The front three of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, and Roberto Firmino were all primed to continue their devastating form of the 2020 campaign. But Mane just couldn’t get anywhere near the heights of his previous form for the Reds.
Maybe the addition of Diogo Jota, who started so impressively for Liverpool, unsettled the front three and Mane more than the others.
He managed 11 goals this season which was well short of his previous efforts and he developed an unexpected habit of missing good chances, the type of which he had dispatched for fun only 12 months earlier.
Pierre – Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal
Possibly the most surprising addition to this list is that of Arsenal skipper and centre-forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
He’s been one of the best strikers in the Premier League over the past few seasons and his loyalty to Arsenal, when he could have signed for any number of Champions League clubs, has been admirable.
In 2020, he was only one goal away from lifting the Golden Boot but this time he was miles away, finishing with 10 goals from 29 appearances.
He did score an own goal against Burnley with a deft flick from a corner but Aubemeyang won’t want us to count that!
Ross Barkley: Aston Villa
While Jack Grealish had a sensational season at Aston Villa — which looks like it may have earned him a move to Manchester City — the Villains’ loan recruit Ross Barkley on the other hand, had a stinker.
Three goals in 30 appearances for a player renowned for his surging runs and lethal long range shooting was a disappointing return in a season when Aston Villa pushed for a Europa League spot.
The attacking midfielder has earned another season at Villa Park, which is a clear indication that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has set his sights higher.
Rhian Brewster: Sheffield United
Take a look at the Premier League 2021 highlights as long as you want and I bet you can’t find Sheffield United’s big money signing Rhian Brewster anywhere.
He arrived at Bramhall Lane for a fee of £23.5-M and the deal included a buy-back clause of £40-M, so a lot was expected of the young striker.
He had done okay on loan at Swansea last term, scoring 10 goals in 20 appearances for the Swans. But as the Blades crashed and burned in their sophomore slump, there was nothing Brewster could do.
He scored precisely no goals in 27 appearances during the said stretch and maybe he can do better in the Championship.
Nathan Ake: Manchester City
When Dutch centre-back Nathan Ake signed for Manchester City for a cool £40-M, a few eyebrows were raised since he’s coming from a Bournemouth side famed for its attractive attacking style and generous defence.
Ake is quick and skilful but he looked out of his depth in a 5-2 defeat to Leicester City, early in the season.
That most fans and pundits cite the 68-M Euros signing of defender Ruben Dias which was completed on 29th September as the moment which turned the Sky Blues season around tells you all you need to know about Ake’s contribution.
In contrast, Dias won the Manchester City Player of the Season, helping the defence to achieve 25 clean sheets in his 50 appearances.
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