The West Bromwich Albion centre-back was superb last season but is struggling this time out.
West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans was an unlikely name in the gossip columns this summer, with the BBC reporting that Manchester city failed with two bids to bring the centre-back to the Etihad Stadium.
The saga was always likely to impact the Northern Ireland international’s mindset, and so it proved, with Evans struggling for form since the transfer window closed last month.
In that time Evans has delivered some shaky performances for West Brom, none more so than in the recent 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
While new Baggies defender Ahmed Hegazi shone against the Gunners, Evans looked off the pace and worryingly out of form, and West Brom fans can only hope this is a temporary blip that can be shaken off this side of the international break.
At his best, Evans remains one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and such has been West Brom’s recent business that if he can get back to his best, they could mount a serious challenge for a European place despite the clubs currently above them in the table.
Somewhat alarmingly though, Evans was terrible against Arsenal, and if his poor form is a direct result of his failed move back to Manchester, he needs to get over it before West Brom’s form tails off any more than it already has.
He is West Brom’s captain and he needs to lead by example, not wobble his way through upcoming games that are eminently winnable.
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