2014 represents a fresh start for everyone in football, giving us the chance to close the book on a (potentially) crappy 2013 and reinvent yourself.
That’s certainly what Aston Villa did last season as, rather miraculously, a 2-2 draw at Swansea City on New Year’s Day was the beginning of some top-half form, securing Premier League safety.
Here, we’ve picked out five players in the division who need a big 2014. Some are required to prove their worth—both domestically and internationally—while others have had a serious opportunity placed at their feet.
Everyone here should be hoping to emulate Villa’s 2012-13 escape.
Christian Benteke, Aston Villa
Since falling to the ground with a hip flexor injury at Carrow Road this season, Benteke has not been the same player.
His confidence looked fragile and he clearly didn’t trust his own body; Indeed, it took him a flight to Belgium to get his lower half checked out to ensure he came back raring to go and ready to push himself.
His return, against Sunderland, was mightily promising: the Belgian didn’t score, but had one cleared off the line and looked a complete menace throughout, linking up play brilliantly all game long.
More of that, and he is back on track.
Tom Cleverley, Manchester United
Is Cleverley Manchester United material? Under Sir Alex Ferguson and aside Michael Carrick it seemed so, but fast-forward six months and he’s all over the place in midfield.
Under David Moyes he’s shown none of the strengths he used to boast, with his extreme tenacity, great stamina and strong desire missing.
He was never a mercurial passer but his game was well-rounded; Now, he looks a shadow of his former self, not even close to fit to wear the Red Devils jersey.
Can he recover?
Serge Gnabry, Arsenal
Theo Walcott’s injury is a big blow for Arsenal and England, and while a fellow professional will never take delight in a colleague’s injury, Serge Gnabry’s eyes will be lighting up right now.
After putting in a Man of the Match performance against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, the Ivorian is now primed to fill in on the right more frequently while Arsene Wenger sorts through his injuries.
Gunners fans will likely be looking forward to the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now Walcott has gone down for the season, but it’s arguable Gnabry has a higher upside and has made more defining contributions than “the Ox” already.
He’s a complete midfield prospect, and this is his chance to grow exponentially.
Adam Lallana, Southampton
Lallana will be perking his ears for the same reason Gnabry will, though not for a starting role in the Arsenal setup.
More, Walcott was slated in for a cast-iron starting role in Brazil this summer with England, and now his spot is up for grabs under Roy Hodgson.
Chamberlain, Andros Townsend, Raheem Sterling and James Milner will all be vying with Lallana for the chance to take that spot on the right wing, but Lallana is the most natural replacement as it stands.
It will take one hell of a second half of this season with Southampton to prove it, though.
Wilfried Bony, Swansea City
Rounding off our attacking quintet of players with points to prove is Bony, an expensive summer signing for Swansea who just hasn’t done the business as yet.
The fact that he’s already reached double figures this season will fool many, but with so many of his goals coming in the Europa League and so few in England, something has to improve.
He’s a muscular, strong presence up front with a great centre of gravity; he’s steadily improving week by week, but we want genuine consistency and domination from the Ivorian sooner rather than later.
2014 represents a fresh start for everyone in football, giving us the chance to close the book on a (potentially) crappy 2013 and reinvent yourself.
That’s certainly what Aston Villa did last season as, rather miraculously, a 2-2 draw at Swansea City on New Year’s Day was the beginning of some top-half form, securing Premier League safety.
Here, we’ve picked out five players in the division who need a big 2014. Some are required to prove their worth—both domestically and internationally—while others have had a serious opportunity placed at their feet.
Everyone here should be hoping to emulate Villa’s 2012-13 escape.
its a good one