Fansided

10 players with the most to prove

By James Dudko

PASADENA, CA - JULY 25: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United takes a penalty during a penalty shoot-out during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and AC Milan at Rose Bowl on July 25, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JULY 25: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United takes a penalty during a penalty shoot-out during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and AC Milan at Rose Bowl on July 25, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 10
Next

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:

WALSALL, ENGLAND – JULY 25: Jack Wilshere of West Ham during the Pre-Season Friendly between Aston Villa v West Ham United at Banks’ Stadium on July 25, 2018 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
WALSALL, ENGLAND – JULY 25: Jack Wilshere of West Ham during the Pre-Season Friendly between Aston Villa v West Ham United at Banks’ Stadium on July 25, 2018 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

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.