Players can have difficult first seasons with new clubs for various reasons, be it injury problems, strategic fit or purely not being good enough yet. It happens every single year.
The Premier League has become arguably the biggest transfer market in the world, so players are constantly coming in and out and many struggle in Europe’s most competitive league.
The leash for some players can be extremely short or they personally feel the move was a bad choice and they can be leave just a year later, but many teams and players benefit from a second chance. Being called a flop can be used as added motivation for a player to go out and prove themselves in the Premier League.
Although not all five of these players necessarily were considered flops by their new clubs or supporters, they are all in a prime position to improve on their maiden campaigns…
ANDRE AYEW
Andre Ayew was a revelation for Swansea City during the 2015/16 season after moving from Ligue 1 side Marseille. The French-born Ghanaian international scored 12 goals and assisted five more in his debut Premier League campaign and earned himself a move to West Ham last summer.
The 27-year old started in the opening game of the season against Chelsea but was taken off after 35 minutes with a hamstring injury, which caused him to miss the next eight league games.
The attacker struggled to find his groove upon returning to fitness and only had one Hammers goal to his name before January, when he missed four games while competing in the Africa Cup of Nations. He scored a pair of goals as Ghana finished fourth and picked up some confidence while in Gabon.
Ayew started to find his feet after the tournament and scored three goals and created another in his first four games back with West Ham. He finished the season with six goals and three assists, which isn’t a bad return for a winger, but Slaven Bilic will be looking for Ayew to return to his Swans form as long as he stays on the pitch.
Roberto Pereyra
Watford’s signing of Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra had the potential to be one of the summer’s best.
The Argentinian international scored 12 minutes into his Watford debut against Arsenal and created a pair in his next two games.
It appeared the 26-year old had shaken off the rust from playing only 16 games for the Old Lady the season prior and would become a star under Walter Mazzari. However, Pereyra went down with a knee injury on 14 December against Manchester City and missed the rest of Watford’s difficult campaign.
The midfielder is flush with talent and if Pereyra can put his injury behind him, new manager Marco Silva could enjoy a far better campaign than his predecessor.
EMERSON HYNDMAN
A jump from the Championship to the Premier League is tough on most players, and in particular youngsters, and Bournemouth midfielder Emerson Hyndman’s transition was no different. The 21-year old American moved to the Cherries after his contract at Fulham ran out last summer.
Hyndman made his professional debut on 9 August 2014 and was a surprise call-up to the USA senior national team just 18 days later, making his debut against the Czech Republic. Manchester United were reportedly monitoring the midfielder before his contract ran out at Craven Cottage, so it was considered a great piece of business when Eddie Howe signed the youngster.
The Bournemouth manager had high praise for Hyndman in the summer but the midfielder couldn’t force his way into Howe’s plans. Hyndman only player in two league cup matches and once in the FA Cup before being sent out on loan to Scottish club Rangers in January, a move that proved to be great for his development.
He started in 16 of his 17 appearances and finished the season with four goals and four assists across all competitions.
With on-loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere returning to his parent club, a spot in Eddie Howe’s team is now up for grabs and Hyndman can stake a claim to it with a good summer.
BARTOSZ KAPUSTKA
Another young player who should step up his game this summer is Leicester City winger Bartosz Kapustka.
The 20-year old made a name for himself as part of Poland’s squad at Euro 2016 and appeared 60 times for Polish side Cracovia before joining the Foxes last August.
He currently has 14 caps and three goals for his country but only managed to play in three FA Cup games in his maiden English campaign. He was on the bench for only eight league games without coming on as he struggled to prove to Claudio Ranieri and Craig Shakespeare that he was ready for the Premier League.
Riyad Mahrez’ impending departure opens up a wealth of playing time that Kapustka will battle several other young players for. Although Demarai Gray is likely to step into the Algerian’s starting role, a strong performance at the U21 Euros and an impressive preseason with Leicester would push the Polish international into the first team picture.
As Craig Shakespeare prepares for his first full season at the helm, an improved Kapustka would soften the blow of Mahrez’ departure.
JÓHANN BERG GUÐMUNDSSON
As part of Iceland’s incredible run at Euro 2016, Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson attracted attention from some Premier League clubs before joining Burnley from Championship side Charlton Athletic.
The 26-year old winger struggled to assert himself with the Clarets, starting only 10 of his 20 league appearances and being substituted in seven of those.
The Icelandic international only scored one goal and assisted two this past season as Burnley finished 16th but could be in line for a bigger role with George Boyd set to leave the club.
Guðmundsson will have a full preseason with the Clarets and if he can replicate the form that earned him a move to Turf Moor, Sean Dyche will have one less position to think about.
