In brief
Throughout the 2024–25 season, a few Premier League players have fallen short of expectations.
As the Red Devils pretend to be more than they are, Manchester United’s Zirkzee and Hojlund have left supporters wanting more.
Here is a list of the 12 Premier League players who have disappointed the most this season, excluding the individuals named above.
The unpredictable nature of the Premier League, one of the most competitive football leagues in the world, is what makes it so unique. Every player who has ignited the division has a counterpart who has failed to get off to a fast start and is frequently lacking in confidence.
Some players, even those who play for teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool, have flattered to deceive, whether they are new recruits who are still getting used to life at their club or seasoned players who are well-versed in their club’s operations.
Here are the top 12 players who have disappointed thus far this season. The top-tier talents have been ranked after careful evaluation of the following ranking factors.
Factors that rank
Objectives
Helps
Clean Sheets
Predictions at the beginning of the season
Individual performances
contributions made by team members
1Phil Foden
Manchester City
Phil Foden’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
25
Minutes
1691
Objectives
7.
Helps
2.
Red/Yellow Cards
2/0
2Kyle Walker
Manchester City
Since Kyle Walker, who is unquestionably one of the greatest right-backs in Premier League history, is now 34 years old and his legs are less flexible than they ever were, Pep Guardiola has frequently turned to his countryman Rico Lewis, who is 14 years his junior.
Walker was once a pillar of greatness for his six-time Premier League winner, but because of his remarkable speed, he became a weak link for the four-time champions, and every time he took the pitch, his lack of focus and declining performance were taken advantage of. Even though his efforts were so poor that he still gets included, it ultimately resulted in his landing a loan move to AC Milan.
Kyle Walker’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
15.
Minutes
967
Objectives
0
Helps
0
Red/Yellow Cards
3/0
3Jack Grealish
Manchester City
Jack Grealish has only scored 17 goals and provided 23 assists since joining Manchester City from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, when his career was at its peak. He has also struggled to establish himself as a consistent member of Guardiola’s consistently successful English team.
The Etihad Stadium supporters have complimented his off-the-ball play, but you would expect more value for your money for a winger who cost £100 million and came with a lot of hype. The 29-year-old was in high demand in the Midlands, but if his bosses were to sell up, there might not be as many bidders anymore.
Jack Grealish’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
19.
Minutes
714
Objectives
One
Helps
One
Red/Yellow Cards
3/0
4Jadon Sancho
Chelsea
Jadon Sancho’s 2024–2025 season was truly a make-or-break one. When the Englishman moved to Stamford Bridge to join Chelsea on loan, he had a point to prove because he had burned bridges at Manchester United. But after getting off to a quick start, Sancho has reverted to his old ways, raising even more concerns about his future.
For a large portion of the season, the winger has fallen short of expectations, and many of the same issues that appeared to have dogged him at Old Trafford have persisted in the English capital. There are now persistent allegations that Chelsea is paying a price to return him to his parent club instead of signing him on a permanent basis.
Jadon Sancho’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
27
Minutes
1658
Objectives
3.
Helps
5.
Red/Yellow Cards
1/0
5Rasmus Hojlund
Manchester United
Rasmus Hojlund was still up for debate last season. After a lengthy goalless stretch from the beginning of the season until December, the Dane had a run of scoring success. However, none of the latter have occurred here this season, and the 22-year-old is currently battling for his future at Old Trafford.
Hojlund has had plenty of opportunities due to the lack of choices up top, whether it was for Erik ten Hag or Ruben Amroim prior. His movement off the ball and hold-up play have also been lacking, even though the service hasn’t always been great. I’m starting to lose patience with the former Atalanta player.
Rasmus Hojlund’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
28
Minutes
1663
Objectives
3.
Helps
One
Red/Yellow Cards
2/0
6Joshua Zirkzee
Manchester United
Manchester United was keen to add another center-forward to their roster during the summer, which was Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ first season at the club. Proven goal scorers, like Ivan Toney, were merely passed over in lieu of a £36.5 million transfer for Joshua Zirkzee, a former Bayern Munich youth prospect.
The Dutchman was signed to serve as the glue, which would enable players like Alejandro Garnacho and Hojlund, rather than to score more than 20 goals a season. The former Barcelona player is yet to establish himself at Old Trafford and has much more to prove in the legendary red of Manchester United, even though he scored on his Premier League debut and displayed flashes of class.
Joshua Zirkzee’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
32
Minutes
1394
Objectives
3.
Helps
2.
Red/Yellow Cards
2/0
7Son Heung-min
Tottenham Hotspur
After Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, Son Heung-min, one of the team’s more experienced players, assumed the position of captain. His responsibility to score goals has also increased, but he frequently fails to show up in games where someone must take the ball by the scruff of the neck, as shown by his team’s bottom-half standing.
Even though the seasoned 131-cap South Korean player has contributed 17 Premier League goals so far (seven goals and ten assists), his intangible work has suffered more. Son is not the force he once was; he no longer chases balls down or makes those darting rushes.
24/25 Son Heung-min Statistics for the Premier League
Looks
28
Minutes
2011
Objectives
7.
Helps
10.
Red/Yellow Cards
0/0
8Ederson
Manchester City
Ederson has been hailed as one of the English top flight’s most innovative players in recent years, even though many supporters would place a higher value on Liverpool’s Alisson. The 31-year-old, who is considered to be among the best goalkeepers in the world, is no longer playing at the highest level despite being a modern glovesman unlike any other because of his on-the-ball skills.
Stefan Ortega, Guardiola’s reliable backup, has replaced him more frequently than anticipated. It’s unclear if the former Benfica player is past his prime, but it’s crucial to consider that in 22 league games, he has given up 25 goals and kept just seven clean sheets. Nevertheless, his employers’ entire defensive setup has been incredibly slow, constantly exposing the former Champions League champion.
Ederson’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
22
Minutes
1961
Objectives Given Up
25
Clean Sheets
7.
Red/Yellow Cards
3/0
9Andrew Robertson
Liverpool
In Arne Slot’s system, Andrew Robertson—who is typically adored by the Anfield supporters for being a demon who delivers crosses—is hardly a match made in heaven. In the post-Jurgen Klopp era, players like Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones have flourished, but Slot has struggled to get the most out of his left-back.
The former Hull City prospect is no longer playing at the top of his game and is finding it difficult to keep up with his teammates. He is also no longer consistently making accurate passes. It’s become so bad that the Dutchman and the team’s new management are already searching for replacements.
Andrew Robertson’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
30
Minutes
2227
Objectives
0
Helps
0
Red/Yellow Cards
3/1
10Ruben Dias
Manchester City
There are very few people who can join Manchester City and start playing in the first team right away without having to settle in. An exception to this rule was Ruben Dias. At the Etihad, the Portuguese man-mountain has been a fantastic leader and defender, but he has appeared vulnerable this season.
Although City has suffered overall, Dias in particular has been less confident, less in control, and prone to errors throughout the season. Although many would have anticipated more from him, his high expectations for himself don’t help this impression.
Ruben Dias’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
23
Minutes
1909
Objectives
0
Helps
0
Red/Yellow Cards
4/0
11Christopher Nkunku
Chelsea
This season was supposed to be the year that Christopher Nkunku fulfilled his promise at Chelsea after a season marred by injuries. His time in the English top flight seemed inevitable after he displayed promising indicators in the Conference League.
However, that has never actually been the case. The Frenchman has performed below expectations, and when he does join the club, it will be problematic because he isn’t the clear-cut goal scorer the Blues sorely need. His prospects of successfully making the move from RB Leipzig are starting to dwindle.
Christopher Nkunku’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
27
Minutes
910.
Objectives
3.
Helps
2.
Red/Yellow Cards
2/0
12Dominic Solanke
Tottenham
Tottenham ignored the reality that Dominic Solanke has had other seasons in which he hasn’t looked particularly dangerous, instead depending on him to replicate the form he had in one successful Premier League season in order to succeed in north London.
His first season at Spurs, regrettably, has fallen into that category as supporters still yearn for Harry Kane’s heyday. It’s true that Solanke is a hard worker, but after a thrilling final season at Bournemouth, his goal return has fallen short of expectations.
Dominic Solanke’s Premier League stats for 24/25
Looks
24
Minutes
2056
Objectives
7.
Helps
3.
Red/Yellow Cards
0/0
