With the end of the year coming in fast, here are some of the names that will hope for a better 2024 after they disappointed in the Premier League for 2023.
The end of 2023 and the start of 2024 can’t come quick enough for some of the Premier League’s top players. A loss of form or failure to succeed at a new club after a big transfer has rendered 2023 as a year to forget. But for others, seemingly endless injury problems have denied them the chance to rediscover their best form and reclaim a first-team place.
So as 2023 draws to an end, which players make the Disappointing Team of the Year? And no, they don’t all play for Chelsea.
It’s been a strange year for the Manchester United goalkeeper. He shone for Inter Milan on their way to last season’s Champions League final and earned a £43.8 million move to Old Trafford. However, since replacing David de Gea — whose mistakes led to his departure from United, Onana has made a series of calamitous errors that have contributed to their dismal first half of the season.
There have been some highs — namely a stoppage-time penalty save to seal a Champions League win against FC Copenhagen — but overall, no goalkeeper has been as unreliable as Onana.
The Chelsea defender has had no fewer than seven layoffs this year due to injury or illness, having also missed out on England’s World Cup squad a year ago because of a knee injury. James’s year to forget has not been down to a loss of form.
The 24-year-old has endured a miserable 12 months because he simply hasn’t been able to overcome his injuries. At his best, James is Chelsea’s first-choice right-back and captain, but his latest injury — a hamstring — is likely to delay his start to 2024 until March.
Dier was playing for England at the World Cup last December, but a year on he can’t even get a game for Tottenham.
The 29-year-old has made just two Premier League appearances under new manager Ange Postecoglou, starting just once, despite his ability to play in defence and midfield. He started 31 Premier League games last season, but with Postecoglou making it clear that he doesn’t fit in his plans, 2024 is likely to start with Dier seeking a transfer.
Manchester City signed one of the most sought-after defensive talents in Europe when they sealed a £77.
