As the year 2023 comes to a close, certain Premier League players eagerly await the arrival of 2024.
As the year 2023 comes to a close, certain Premier League players eagerly await the arrival of 2024. For them, this year has been marred by a decline in performance or an inability to thrive at a new club following a significant transfer, making it a year to be forgotten. However, there are also those who have been plagued by persistent injury issues, preventing them from rediscovering their peak form and reclaiming a spot in the starting lineup.
Now, as we reflect on the conclusion of 2023, which players will make it to the Disappointing Team of the Year? And no, it’s not just limited to Chelsea players.
André Onana’s journey at Manchester United has been quite eventful. After showcasing his talent with Inter Milan and helping them reach the Champions League final last season, he secured a significant £43.8 million transfer to Old Trafford. However, his arrival as a replacement for David de Gea, who left due to his own mistakes, has not been smooth sailing. Onana has unfortunately made a series of disastrous errors that have greatly contributed to the team’s disappointing performance in the first half of the season.
Although there have been some notable moments, such as his crucial penalty save in stoppage time to secure a Champions League victory against FC Copenhagen, overall, Onana has proven to be an unreliable goalkeeper.
Reece James, the Chelsea player in the defensive position, has faced a total of seven periods of absence throughout this year due to either injury or illness. Additionally, he was unable to participate in England’s World Cup squad last year due to a knee injury. It is important to note that James’s unfortunate year cannot be attributed to a decline in his performance.
Over the course of the past 12 months, the 24-year-old has experienced a series of hardships primarily caused by his persistent injuries. When in optimal condition, James serves as Chelsea’s preferred right-back and captain. However, his most recent setback, a hamstring injury, is expected to postpone his return to the field until March of 2024.
Eric Dier, a player for Tottenham, participated in the World Cup last December representing England. However, a year later, he is unable to secure a spot in Tottenham’s lineup.
Despite his versatility in both defence and midfield, the 29-year-old has only featured in two Premier League matches since the arrival of new manager Ange Postecoglou. He has started just once, whereas in the previous season, he started in 31 Premier League games. Postecoglou’s clear indication that Dier does not fit into his plans suggests that Dier will likely be looking for a transfer in 2024.
Joško Gvardiol, the talented defender from RB Leipzig, was signed by Manchester City for a staggering £77.6m during the summer transfer window. Despite his impressive reputation, the Croatian international has faced difficulties adapting to the fast-paced and intense nature of the Premier League. Adding to his challenges, manager Pep Guardiola has frequently deployed him as a left-back, hindering his efforts to find his rhythm.
Gvardiol initially made a name for himself as a center-back, but with the likes of Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones occupying that position at the Etihad, his journey at City has been arduous thus far.
Marc Cucurella, Chelsea
Cucurella often ponders how his career would have unfolded if Chelsea had not disrupted his transfer from Brighton to Manchester City in Aug 2022. Chelsea offered nearly double the amount proposed by City, a staggering £60m, to secure the signing of the left-back.
Unfortunately, things have not gone smoothly for Cucurella since joining Chelsea. He is now under his fourth manager at Stamford Bridge in less than 18 months, and even Mauricio Pochettino, the latest manager, has expressed doubts about the 25-year-old’s abilities. In a recent match against Manchester United, Cucurella was played out of position as a right-back and was substituted at halftime.
In August, Chelsea blocked a loan move to Old Trafford, and while it is uncertain if that would have been a better fit for Cucurella, it is clear that he is in need of a change of environment.
Enzo Fernández, Chelsea
Through no fault of his own, Fernandez became the most expensive player in Premier League history when he made the switch from Benfica to Chelsea for a staggering £105m in January.
Fernandez’s contribution to Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qarar a month prior had inflated his value. However, it is puzzling that Chelsea valued the 22-year-old midfielder at over £100m, considering he had only recently joined Benfica from River Plate for an initial fee of £8.8m in Aug 2022.
Undoubtedly, Fernandez possesses exceptional talent. However, the constant changes in players and coaches at Chelsea have hindered his ability to settle, resulting in a challenging year for him.
