While there have been stars and breakout players, unfortunately, not everyone had a memorable 2021/22 Premier League season.
Whether it’s because of injuries, bad luck, or they were simply in bad form, these players have nowhere to go but up as we look ahead to 2022/23 which will happen in just a few months from now.
Join us today as SBOTOP lists down the notable players who are bound to do much better next term after an underwhelming campaign in English top-flight.
Donny van de Beek
The arrival of Donny van de Beek in 2020 was met with so much hype as he was fresh from an outstanding stint at Ajax. However, he has yet to fulfill and realise his promise at Old Trafford.
The Dutch midfielder was frozen out of the rotation for some reason, and ironically, his goal in their loss to Watford was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last overseen goal as their manager.
After months of toiling at the bench, van de Beek was finally allowed to leave Old Trafford to join Everton via loan, but his struggles continued under Frank Lampard as he only played 484 minutes total in his brief stint with the Toffees.
Injuries have robbed his chance to contribute for Everton, who, at the time, were dragged deep into a relegation battle but survived in the end.
Donny van de Beek will now head back to Manchester United where he’ll link up with his former mentor in Erik ten Hag, where he shined as their key cog to their Champions League semi-final run in 2019.
United’s midfield has been anemic in these past few seasons, and van de Beek certainly is one of their best options out there instead of the likes of Scott McTominay and Fred.
Marcus Rashford
Another United player who can benefit from the new Erik ten Hag era is Marcus Rashford.
The 24-year-old only had five goals and two assists across all competitions last term and he looked bereft of confidence and belief.
His body language was off perhaps because of the toxicity around Old Trafford, and it got so bad that he lost his starting job to Anthony Elanga when Ralf Rangnick was still in charge.
A man with the tools to possibly become world-class calibre, Rashford’s talent and potential is undeniable and many believe that he can deliver far more for his boyhood club. He just needs a manager that will instill new confidence in him again and ten Hag is that guy.
N’Golo Kante
On his best day, N’Golo Kante is the ideal box-to-box midfielder given his ball handling and passing prowess, as well as his uncanny ability to sniff out passes from his midfield counterparts.
While he’s still a top player, 2021/22 has been a frustrating season for the Frenchman since he wasn’t able to build momentum given his frequent absences due to injuries.
Kante’s current deal with the Blues expires in 2023, so he’ll have the motivation to fight for his place since doing so can help him get another huge payday.
Jack Grealish
Grealish may have won his first-ever Premier League title last season, but the former Aston Villa skipper still has a lot to prove individual-wise considering he was the most expensive transfer in English football history at £100-M.
His market value since then has dropped significantly to £63-M by Transfermarkt given his pedestrian return of six goals and four assists across all competitions last term.
If Jack Grealish can somehow replicate his form back when he was still playing for Aston Villa, Manchester City are going to be heavily backed by the Premier League 2022 odds to win the title yet again.
Patrick Bamford
2021/22 was a season to forget for Patrick Bamford as he spent more time in the recovery room rather than on the pitch.
Bamford picked up an ankle injury against Newcastle United in early September in what turned out to be the first of many that would keep him out of action for most of the year.
He was so unlucky that when he was ready to go against Brentford for the final matchday, the striker was held out because he tested positive for COVID-19.
Leeds United won that game and secured their top-flight status for another season, and Bamford now has a full summer to recharge his batteries. With Raphinha being a wanted man and likely to leave the club soon, Leeds United fans are hopeful that Patrick Bamford is going to create new Premier League 2022 highlights for the club next season.
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