Premier League is often regarded as the best league in world football, and the main reason for that is the level of consistency required from each player from the first gameweek to the very last day of the season.
Every season, we see plenty of players starting the season on a high but not able to carry the same momentum till the very end. 2015/16 season has not been any different with many players starting the campaign on a bright note but have faded away in recent weeks.
On that note, we take a look at five players who faded away after a bright start to the Premier League 2015/16 season.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Arsene Wenger had expressed his concerns over Alexis Sanchez’s desire to play every game and train even harder. Alexis had come on the back of a grilling Copa America campaign with Chile. Despite that, he started the season brightly for Arsenal by scoring 6 goals in quick succession.
However, the heavy work load took its toll on the Chilean when he spent 2 months out due to a hamstring injury. Alexis has not looked the same player since his return as he has only managed to score once in his last 9 Premier League matches.
Sanchez’s loss of form has been one of the real reasons why Arsenal are once again on the verge of giving up their title hopes after a bright start to the season. In coming time, Wenger needs to be cautious about how much game time his star performer should get during the course of an extended season.
Bojan Krkic (Stoke City)
When Mark Hughes pulled off Bojan Krkic’s signing last summer, Premier League was left stunned in admiration for Stoke’s ambition. Bojan started his life in England on a brisk run of goals. The former Barcelona man pulled off 5 goals and an assist in space of 13 appearances for his new side.
Everyone expected great things from the Spaniard, but the fairy tale has not continued in the same way for Bojan. In his last 12 games, he has failed to find a goal and neither he has laid an assist for his teammates.
Despite Bojan’s dip in form, Stoke are safely in contention for European football next season, and that is why Mark Hughes must be applauded for his incredible work at The Britannia.
Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United)
Despite losing his scoring touch Georginio Wijnaldum is Newcastle’s best player right now. The Dutch star has managed to rank up an impressive tally of 9 goals and 4 assists this season.
A lot of those numbers were achieved in a spell of 12 games where scored 7 goals including his incredible 4-goal haul vs. Norwich. Had he continued on that scoring run, The Magpies would not have been left stranded for the relegation fight this season.
Since then, Wijnaldum has only managed 2 goals in his next 17 appearances for the club, which has not been good enough. New manager Rafa Benitez needs Wijnaldum and other key players from Newcastle to come up good in their bid to fight relegation this season.
Sadio Mane (Southampton)
Perhaps not the best time to include him after his heroics against Liverpool, but after his transfer mood swings in January, Sadio Mane has not been the same player. His two goals last night were the first for him in over 20 appearances for the club.
After starting the season brightly, Mane lost his head and now is more of a squad player than a regular starter for Ronald Koeman. Manchester United and Chelsea are linked with a move for him next season, which could bring him back to life and certainly in some better form.
Odion Ighalo (Watford)
Another controversial choice by our team but like Mane, Odion Ighalo’s head was turned when he started discussing the possibilities of joining Manchester United in January.
Ighalo has been one of the best scorers in league this season after netting 14 goals in the debut season. However, he has only managed 2 goals in his last 15 appearances for the club, which is a very low number considering his early season form.
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