Gaming

Each of the top six’s forgotten players

Written by Jimmy Rustling

The new Premier League season has presented its fair share of challenges for the traditional top six. While it looks as if Manchester City are the favourites to retain their title for the fifth straight time, sports betting odds are aware of the threat posed by Arsenal and Liverpool – while Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are left playing catchup.

Indeed, the top six have all got busy schedules following the second international break of the season and will need to utilise the full extent of their squads in order to remain competitive, both domestically and in Europe. 

Games are coming thick and fast and while some managers are reluctant to make changes, now could be the time to bring in the fringe players and those with a point to prove.

In this article, we look at the forgotten men in each of the Premier League’s top six clubs. Those players who will want to show their worth to the club after suffering a dip in form. Read on, as we evaluate if any could be a difference maker. 

Manchester City – Jack Grealish 

Starting with the defending champions, it isn’t spoken about enough how Jack Grealish cost Manchester City £100 million in the summer of 2021.

The Englishman was a key part of the treble winning squad for Pep Guardiola but has since suffered with injuries and inconsistencies that have prevented him from earning a regular place in the side. 

With Jeremy Doku and Savinho now well-established in the City XI, it’s hard to see a way back for Grealish, who has only scored three goals in the last two seasons. 

Arsenal – Takehiro Tomiyasu

Arsenal had the best defensive record in the league last season, and the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna has meant that Takehiro Tomiyasu has seen less action.

The 25-year-old has deputised in both full-back positions, but with Mikel Arteta bringing another defender to the Emirates, it’s clear Tomiyasu has fallen down the pecking order, and could soon leave north London. 

Liverpool – Endo 

Another Japan international, Wataru Endo steadied the ship at Anfield for Jurgen Klopp last term – arriving as a relatively unknown midfielder after the Reds failed to bring in Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. 

Endo featured heavily as the number six, tackling hard and breaking up play, but doesn’t appear to be in Arne Slot’s plans since the Dutchman was appointed as Klopp’s successor.

The form of Ryan Gravenberch and Liverpool’s style of play means Endo has had to settle for sporadic cup appearances, but a busy schedule means he could get another chance in his second season.  

Tottenham Hotspur – Djed Spence

Djed Spence’s move to Tottenham Hotspur has never really worked out. Signed in 2022 by Antonio Conte, the £20 million right-back has since gone on loans to Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa, but has returned this season for a string of cameo appearances.

Spence certainly has potential but needs to produce some more consistent performances in order to compete for a starting place in Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead of Pedro Porro. 

Chelsea – Mykhailo Mudryk

Enzo Maresca’s arrival at Chelsea saw several players omitted from the first-team squad this summer, including Romelu Lukaku, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling. Of the survivors, Mykhailo Mudryk has seen limited gametime for a player who cost the Blues £62 million last January.

The Ukrainian has only made four appearances this season and could be heading for the exit door at Stamford Bridge, with Maresca challenging his confidence. The UEFA Europa Conference League perhaps the best chance for Mudryk to get minutes. 

Manchester United – Amad Diallo

A massive part of Manchester United’s FA Cup win, Amad Diallo has failed to secure a place in Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup on a regular basis, even after impressing in the cup competitions. 

Diallo arrived at Old Trafford in 2021 but has yet to dislodge Alejandro Garnacho and Antony from the wide areas, and the signing of Joshua Zirkzee over the summer will only put more pressure on Teg Hag to start his new players, as pressure mounts on his job.

Only time will tell if Diallo has a future for the Red Devils.  

 

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About the author

Jimmy Rustling

Born at an early age, Jimmy Rustling has found solace and comfort knowing that his humble actions have made this multiverse a better place for every man, woman and child ever known to exist. Dr. Jimmy Rustling has won many awards for excellence in writing including fourteen Peabody awards and a handful of Pulitzer Prizes. When Jimmies are not being Rustled the kind Dr. enjoys being an amazing husband to his beautiful, soulmate; Anastasia, a Russian mail order bride of almost 2 months. Dr. Rustling also spends 12-15 hours each day teaching their adopted 8-year-old Syrian refugee daughter how to read and write.