[tps_header]Last season was a season of testing times for quite a few players in world football. And so, we take a look at five players who need to prove themselves ahead of next season after a not so great 2014/2015 season.[/tps_header]
[tps_title]Thomas Vermaelen[/tps_title]
This one’s a bit harsh considering it was a testing time for the former Arsenal captain off the pitch as he only played one game for the Catalans all season. An injury which was reported to be aggravated kept Vermaelen on the sidelines where he had to wait until last month to make a first official appearance for the club.
Vermaelen is unlikely to make an appearance in the Champions League final and with Barcelona as favorites, he’s become the butt of jokes, potentially winning three trophies with just one appearance.
However, Vermaelen is a very solid defender when confident an in form and next season will be a chance for him to show everyone why Barcelona were willing to splash out on him.
[tps_title]Radamel Falcao[/tps_title]
When Manchester United signed Falcao on loan, quite a few heads were turned. This was a genuine world class forward with staggering scoring statistics now playing at Old Trafford.
Come to the present and United fans – at least majority – are glad that they’re not making the move for the Colombian permanent. Falcao has had a torrid time in England, scoring just four goals in 29 outings for the Reds and looking like a shadow of the player who tormented defenses for Porto, Atletico and Monaco.
However, to say that he’s done for is premature. After all, he missed the World Cup thanks to a season ending injury and it does take time to get back to your best. With Chelsea now linked with the Monaco forward, Jose Mourinho just might pull off one of the deals of the summer if he can land the Colombian, especially if he shows that last season was just a blip.
[tps_title]Angel Di Maria[/tps_title]
Like Falcao, Di Maria is one who needs to prove himself next season. Signed for a British transfer fee last summer, great things were expected of the Argentine who was man of the match in the 2014 Champions League final.
However, it’s all gone wrong for Di Maria as after a bright start, his performances declined, to the point where fringe player Ashley Young put him on the bench with his new rich vein of form. It could simply be a change of league and team as Di Maria just simply hasn’t adapted.
Not many will be surprised if he’s sold this summer already but if he does stay which is more likely, United fans will definitely be expecting more of their most expensive signing.
[tps_title]Gareth Bale[/tps_title]
A year can change many things. After scoring the decisive goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League final in 2014, Bale has now reached a point where he’s getting booed by his own fans.
His figures are still decent but for a player who was bought for a world transfer record fee, you expect better, especially as Bale hasn’t performed in the big games this season at all.
That along with his new tendency to be more selfish and not pass the ball when it seemed a better choice is what has frustrated fans lately, even to the point where there was a campaign to bench the former Tottenham fan.
There have been rumours of a return to England but they don’t seem so likely and they shouldn’t be, because Bale is a top quality forward and he has all the attributes to prove the Madrid fans wrong next season.
Next season will definitely be pivotal for the Welshman.
[tps_title]Juan Cuadrado[/tps_title]
When you see Cuadrado highlights, especially the crazy long range goals he’s scored along with his performances in the 2014 World Cup, you expected him to be a hit at Stamford Bridge when he was signed in the January window.
However, he’s been anything but, looking lost and out of place at Chelsea as he’s been limited to sub appearances off the bench where he’s yet to score a goal or make an assist.
Rumours of a return to Italy have already filled the papers but Mourinho believes the best of Cuadrado will be see in the 2015-2016 season. For his own sake, he definitely needs to step up or risk drifting into obscurity.
