Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Jamie Vardy are among the 10 players with the most to prove in the 2018-19 Premier League season.
Proving they are committed enough to Manchester United to play to their talent levels all the time is the challenge facing Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez in the new Premier League season.
Like Sanchez, Alvaro Morata has to recover from a drab debut campaign with his club. The Spaniard fired blanks in front of goal for Chelsea during most of last season, but a new manager could make things different in 2018-19, assuming he isn’t sold this summer.
Jamie Vardy won’t be sold, but the Leicester striker has to prove he can still deliver the goals without the assistance of chief provider Riyad Mahrez.
Here are the 10 players with the most to prove during the new Premier League season:
10. Jack Wilshere, West Ham
Jack Wilshere swapped Arsenal for West Ham because he wanted more playing time. Now the oft-injured 26-year-old must prove he merits more minutes.
Wilshere has at least joined the right club to resurrect his career. Specifically, he’s with the ideal manager in Manuel Pellegrini.
The 64-year-old has always had his teams play an expressive, attacking game. It’s a philosophy based on neat and artful passing, the very skills Wilshere embodies.
While he couldn’t stay fit or consistent enough to make the grade with the Gunners, few can doubt Wilshere’s natural technique. His touch, control, vision and flair will be at home with Pellegrini at the helm.
Wilshere can expect freedom and space in midfield while Mark Noble does the heavy lifting. Everything is in place for Wilshere to finally fulfil the promise he once showed as Arsenal’s youngest-ever Premier League debutant.
He must stay off the treatment table and focus on putting multiple strong performances together.