5 players with points to prove when Premier League action resumes
The 2022-23 Premier League campaign was always going to feel a little different, with World Cup finals being plonked into the middle of it. From the moment that a first ball was kicked in anger back in August, those competing in the English top flight knew that domestic action would shut down in mid-November.
Many were denied the chance to take in a well-earned rest, as they headed to Qatar with their respective countries, but others embraced the distraction provided by the pursuit of altogether different points and prizes.
Spark
Some of those who jetted off to join a global gathering in Qatar needed a change of scenery in order to refocus their mind and rekindle a missing spark. Class will always be permanent, with football odds forever siding with those that boast the most star-studded of squads – as -250 favourites Manchester City edge out +220 shots Arsenal in Premier League title markets for 2022-23 – but form can be temporary. Football betting tips recognize as much and some household names have been struggling to earn as much favor of late as they are accustomed to.
Time is still very much on their side, with club competition due to resume in late December, but here are five Premier League stars who may feel as though they have a point to prove.
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish. Premier League winner 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RS8xr2BOaX
— GOAL (@goal) May 22, 2022
The most expensive player in British football is yet to justify a £100 million price tag despite becoming a title winner at the Etihad Stadium. Grealish has just one goal and no assists to his name this season, with more expected from such a creative talent.
Virgil van Dijk
Still widely regarded as one of the finest center-halves on the planet, but a man facing uncomfortable questions for the first time during his spell at Liverpool. The Dutch defender remains a colossus at the back, but has kept just four Premier League clean sheets this term.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Brought back to England by Chelsea late in the summer transfer window, Aubameyang is a proven Premier League goalscorer from his time at Arsenal. He has, however, managed just one league effort for the Blues and is yet to provide an answer to their No.9 issues.
Harry Maguire
Manchester United will attempt to sell Harry Maguire next summer, per @JamieJackson___
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 11, 2022
United paid $97M for him in 2019 😬 pic.twitter.com/D2idhNwt4G
Maguire remains club captain at Manchester United, but was struggling for game time prior to the World Cup break. He needs to convince Erik ten Hag of his worth if a long-term future at Old Trafford is going to be enjoyed, with too many errors creeping into his game.
Son Heung-min
On the final day of the 2021-22 season, Tottenham forward Son claimed a share of the Premier League Golden Boot. He has found the target in just one top-flight game this time around – when netting a hat-trick against Leicester – and will be aware that he needs to offer more to the collective cause.
Motivation
The quintet mentioned above are far being the only ones who should return to Premier League action with added motivation to impress, but they are among the more prominent. All boast the ability, though, to turn individual fortunes around and to further enhance their respective reputations before more major silverware is handed out.
