Players at QPR, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester United, Manchester CIty and West Brom make up our list of performers who have so far failed to meet the high standards they set themselves in 2010/11. Have a look at our list and see if you agree…
DJ Campbell
This time last year Campbell was scoring prolifically for Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side, and even talking himself up for an England call-up. He scored 13 goals in all but has only netted once for new side QPR. He has suffered a couple of injuries with has pegged back his progress, but he will be disappointed at how his season has panned out.
Johan Djourou
This time last year Djourou was being talked about in glowing terms as a lynchpin of Arsenal’s defence. Now he is seen as a liability who many supporters want off their books, giving away a penalty in the Gunners’ 4-0 defeat to Milan last night. He has just penned a new contract extension at the Emirtates, to the bemusement of many fans.
http://hereisthecity.com/2012/02/09/can-johan-djourou-turn-around-his-poor-arsenal-form/
Charles N’Zogbia
Charles N’Zogbia was just sparking to life this time last year, and there is still a chance for him to do the same this time around. His end of season form was a principle reason Wigan were able to stay up, he scored numerous goals and provided assists which turned matches. At Aston Villa he has scored just one goal, and been an expensive failure.
Kevin Davies
Bolton stalwart Davies was in fine form early last season, striking up a lethal partnership with Swede Johan Elmander. This season his form has been pathetically poor, and his England call-up seems like a bad joke. Bolton need him to improve if they are to fight off relegation.
Branislav Ivanovic
Ivanovic was a player who had a big fan in manager Carlo Ancelotti. He was played at right-back and was even a regular goalscorer, yet has fallen out of favour with new boss Villas-Boas, who prefers the more dynamic Jose Bosingwa. This season has been really average for the Serb, constantly rotated thanks to a manager who does not fully believe in him.
Florent Malouda
The Frenchman played a key role in Chelsea winning the 2009/10 title, and continued that fine form last season, being a regular provider of assists and tormentor of opposition defences. His form began to dip at the end of the season, and this season he has not been able to prevent that decline, and looks set to be sold in the summer.
Seamus Coleman
Coleman was a key Everton player last season, although naturally a full-back he played on the right side of midfield, firing in dangerous crosses and chipping in with the odd goal. This season his place has not been so assured, and he has suffered with injuries. He will want to kick on next season and get back to his best.
Dimitar Berbatov
Quite a decline here, Berbatov was the Premier League top scorer- joint with Carlos Tevez, who also has a claim to be on this list. Berbatov has, like Tevez, had limited opportunities. The Bulgarian did score six goals over the festive period including a hat-trick at home to Wigan, but he is now back to warming the bench.
Somen Tchoyi
The West Brom midfielder was a bright threat last season, playing between midfield and attack, and even bagged a hat-trick at St James’ Park on the last day of the season. This time around he has been strictly average, unable to provide any real cutting edge, in a season when he would have wanted to improve even further.
Samir Nasri
The Frenchman has been a disappointment since his move to Manchester City. He was superb for six months for Arsenal last year, and was a contender for ‘Player of the Year’, yet his form dipped when Arsenal imploded. At City he has found himself mostly warming the bench, although a goal against Spurs last month showed signs of improvement.
Honourable mentions: Carlos Tevez, Andy Carroll, Peter Odemwingie, Joey Barton.
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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