As the anticipation for the 2021/22 Premier League season grows, and we eventually accept the fact that there will be no stopping defending champions Manchester City from running away with the title once again, as the football odds suggest, we have decided to put together a list of four players, who perhaps didn’t have the best of times last season, but could have a new lease of life in the upcoming campaign. Read on to find out more!
Dele Alli – Tottenham Hotspur
Pushed to the wayside by former Tottenham Hotspur boss José Mourinho, Dele Alli was strangled of gametime under the Portuguese manager — who didn’t hide his feelings toward the England international’s lack of effort on the training pitch in Amazon’s hit documentary; All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur. However, when Mourinho was sacked, Alli was slowly reintroduced to the first team by interim gaffer Ryan Mason, and with Nuno Espírito Santo now at the helm, the 25-year-old, who has had a good pre-season, has a great chance of reigniting his spark at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal
So often the man that Arsenal fans could rely on to deliver in their times of need, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left much to desired with his performances for the Gunners last season, as he netted just 10 goals in 29 Premier League appearances — his lowest goal return in a full season since he signed for the north London club from Borussia Dortmund back in January 2018. With Arsenal resigned to eighth-place in the table for the last two seasons in a row, they will need their captain firing on all cylinders if they want to climb back up a couple of positions this season!
Tammy Abraham – ?
Chelsea’s talisman in Frank Lampard’s first season at Stamford Bridge, Tammy Abraham scored an impressive 15 goals in 34 Premier League appearances — helping the Blues secure a somewhat surprising Champions League spot amidst their transfer embargo. However, when Lampard was sacked from the west London hotseat back in January, to be replaced by former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel, Abraham fell well out of favour. It’s no secret that Chelsea, who are backed as one of the favourites to stop Man City this season in the football betting tips, are actively trying to sell the 23-year-old, who has a number of potential Premier League suitors — including Southampton, West Ham and Arsenal — and the English forward will be out to prove his doubters wrong this season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – Chelsea
After making waves in Chelsea’s esteemed academy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek finally broke into the first team under Maurizio Sarri — making 40 senior appearances for the Blues in the Italian’s year in charge. However, the imposing midfielder picked up an Achilles injury in an end-of-season friendly against New England Revolution in Boston, which left him sidelined for 12 months. He spent last season on loan at Fulham, but didn’t really impress for Scott Parker’s side, scoring just once in 30 appearances. Still, Tuchel has admitted that he is a big fan of the 25-year-old, and Loftus-Cheek has had the chance to impress the German during pre-season. It looks like he will stay at the Bridge this season, but he will need to up his game if he wants a future at Chelsea.
