Top 5 Premier League Stars in Desperate need of a Good Season

Each season fans watch on as a new crop of talent establishes itself in the Premier League. But, while these players receive the plaudits there are those who are thankful for the season to be over.

Though these players often incur the wrath of the fans, come the new season they are willing them to find their form. Below are five players who are in desperate need of a good season.

There are players at every club who should be in this category. However, the focus is on players who have suffered a loss of form and need to bounce back.

• Giovani Dos Santos

The Mexican arrived at White Hart Lane with a burgeoning reputation as the latest star out of the Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. Four seasons and only 17 appearances later and Spurs fans are still wondering when Dos Santos will deliver.

The 23-year-old is reportedly keen to stay since Andre Villas-Boas took over at the Lane. Despite struggling at Spurs, Dos Santos has performed well on the international stage. It is crucial that he replicates this form for his club. With only a year remaining on his contract, another season on the sidelines could signal a career of unfulfilled promise.

• Stewart Downing

By his own admission the winger had an ‘up and down season’. On statistics at least, Downing had an abysmal year. No goals and no assists in the league campaign is a poor return for a £20 million England international. At times the 28-year-old was frustratingly conservative and seemed unwilling to really attack the full back.

Yet Downing has no interest in the stats. He admits he should have scored more goals but as far as assists are concerned feels he was unlucky that his forwards did not convert the chances he created.

Perhaps he was scrutinised more due to the hefty transfer fee but money talks and Downing will need to recapture the form he showed at Villa if he is to win over the Anfield crowd.

• Adel Taarabt

Prior to the 2011-12 season, it seemed vital that the Moroccan performed well if QPR were to survive. Taarabt returned to the Premier League having had an outstanding season in the Championship.

Linked with a pre season moves to Paris Saint Germain, it was a testament to his ability. But he failed to shine in the Premier League and a series of below par performances saw him drift in and out of the side. An undoubted talent, an impressive season is needed if Taarabt is to prove his critics wrong.

• Jack Rodwell

Of the players on this list, the coming season is arguably most important for the Everton youngster. Rodwell has had two seasons ruined by injury, last season suffering four separate hamstring injuries which ended his hopes of representing Team GB at the Olympics.

Injuries aside, there is concern amongst Everton fans that the 21-year-old may fail to fulfil his potential.

At times Rodwell has appeared reluctant to take a risk. In comparison to the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and a fit Jack Wilshere, he does not make a significant impact on the game. It’s a big season for Rodwell and he will need to start showing that he can have a significant influence on how Everton play.

• Fernando Torres

From a team perspective the 2011-12 season was fantastic for Torres, but it is hard to imagine he will have been happy with his own performance.

11 goals in 49 appearances are not the stats you expect from a £50 million striker. Torres showed signs of improvement towards the end of the season and finished as top scorer at Euro 2012.

This will give him a confidence that was so obviously lacking at times last season and he will need to carry this into the new season. With Didier Drogba having left, Torres is unequivocally Chelsea’s first choice striker and it is important for both the team and himself that he performs.

“We don’t really learn anything from sending players to the Championship for a second time.”