Five Premiership players who have failed to shine this season
Since the 2010/2011 season kicked off, we have seen plenty of footballers show us why they should be playing in one of the best leagues in the world. However, we have also seen the players who feet don’t quite do them justice in the premiership, and time will only tell if they can fit in, or get sold out. Who do you think has failed to shine in the Premiership this season?
The player who has failed to shine most this season in my opinion has been Joe Cole. After signing from Chelsea at the end of last summer’s transfer window, there was a real buzz around Anfield at seeing what Cole could do. However, after Joe Cole has frustrated the Anfield faithful over the past six months and after a bright pre-season was marred by a lapse in judgment as he ruled himself out for 3 matches. On his return he was placed on the left wing, despite his preference to play in the middle of the pitch where he feels he is best, as a left winger he has been poor. His crossing is not of the standard required and as he drifts inside he clutters the middle of the pitch alongside Lucas, Gerrard, Meireles and Maxi who also tends to drift inside. At Stamford Bridge last year as Inter knocked out Chelsea, Cole was introduced to a large cheer from the fans but he flattered to deceive as usual and was inconsequential for 20 minutes. At Liverpool he continues this poor form. In a position that doesn’t suit him, taking playing time away from players who could be more useful, Joe Cole has yet to win the hearts of the Kopites. What do you think will happen to Cole in the summer?
The next player, Stephen Ireland was frozen out at Manchester City and a move to Aston Villa was seen as the spark which could improve their midfield. Ireland had been sensational in patches over the previous two years with his partnership with Elano a particular highlight. However since his demotion to bit-part player at Manchester City, Ireland did not have the platform to continue his good form. A move to Aston Villa was seen as the right move at the right time; he would replace James Milner and add some flair to a stodgy midfield. However the opposite has been true, Ireland has been lethargic and actually drawn public ire from his manager. Aston Villa picked up a fine but troubled player in Ireland but his lack of form and the rumors that it was his inclusion in the Milner deal that broke Martin O’Neill’s back. If his inclusion was the reason for a disrupted start of the season and his poor form Stephen Ireland has been of no benefit to Aston Villa, and so has moved to Newcastle on loan to try and instigate a way back to top form.
Next, a personal disappointment this player as I had tipped Mario Boselli to do well having come from Argentina with a fearsome goal-scoring record and a playing style which I felt would adapt well to the Premier League, in fact none of this came to pass. As Wigan started the season woefully only Hugo Rodellga performed well, Boselli was limited to a few headers but never posed a concerted threat to any back-line. However, he may yet turn into a Carlos Tevez but for now Boselli is 6.5 million that Wigan would rather have back.
A surprising one to many as this will be, one of the few players Newcastle United actually paid money for this summer was James Perch, a bright young prospect that came through at Nottingham Forest. Having spent his entire playing career at the City Ground a move to St. James was seen as a step up for the 25 year old. However, if his performances are taken as a whole then it has been a step up too far. Perch became a statistic as he kept racking up yellow cards. Perch has since been replaced by Danny Simpson who has performed admirably so far and with Dan Gosling recovering from an injury Perch may drop to third choice right back and 6th choice midfielder. Not really what a promoted team should be pursuing in one of their only paid transfers of the summer.
Finally Christian Poulson, a £4.5 million purchase that confused many and was confounded by the 30 year olds very average displays which resulted in the Merseyside club collecting just one win from the five games Poulsen started in, displays that usually involved the mediocre player doing very little and battling vainly to get involved. It remains to be seen whom exactly would buy Christian Poulsen but the fact that the club appear to have cottoned on to his lack of any worth can only be a good thing for the much improved Anfield club.
