Authors at ShegzzySpree Sports Blog count down five strikers
who have endured difficult starts to the new campaign. As football has evolved
through differing formations, style and systems over the decades, one
particular cliche still rings true: goals win games.
Obviously central to the art
of scoring goals are strikers. Although with the ever-declining influence of
the traditional 4-4-2 and the increasing prominence of the so-called 'false
nine' formation it could be argued that their influence is not quite as crucial
as it once might have been.
Despite this, however, many
of the world's truly top-class talents ply their trade in the final third of
the pitch. Title charges and relegation battles can frequently hinge on just
who can boast the more potent frontmen.
Here, Authors at ShegzzySpree Sports Blog lists five of the
most disappointing and high-profile strikers who have just not been performing
to their best so far this season.
1. Papiss Cisse - Newcastle United
Cisse is yet to score a
league goal this season.
In the immediate aftermath of
his arrival at St James' Park from German outfit SC Freiburg, Cisse impressed
fans and pundits alike with his potent goalscoring exploits.
Not only was the 28-year-old
scoring goals, he was repeatedly notching world-class efforts from every angle.
However, while his opening few months in the Premier League proved
extraordinarily fruitful, the Senegalese international has badly struggled for
form since.
While the 2012/13 season
yielded a disappointing eight goals, Cisse is yet to hit to the net in the
league this season.
2. Samuel Eto'o - Chelsea
Eto'o is yet to impress at
Stamford Bridge.
Considering he has only
featured in three Premier League games for Chelsea so far this season, Eto'o's
inclusion in such a list may seem a tad harsh.
However, it is his seemingly
total lack of potency that has seen him make the cut. Yet to register a goal in
any competition for the Blues, his lack of cutting edge has been made to look
much worse by his worrying ineffectiveness across the frontline.
Having represented Barcelona
and Inter Milan in the past, Eto'o's resounding success in top-level European
competition suggests he will come good at Stamford Bridge. However, following a
much-maligned two-year stint in Russia with controversial club Anzhi
Makhachkala, questions have already arisen regarding his drive and
determination.
3. Karim Benzema - Real
Madrid
Benzema is unpopular with
Real fans.
Although probably considered
by many to be one of the world's very best striking talents, controversial
French hitman Benzema has become a deeply unpopular figure among Real Madrid
fans due to his poor performances so far this season.
With only two goals in eight
La Liga appearances and a perceived lack of effort in a defensive capacity, the
former Lyon star has been subject to strong vocal criticism from the stands at
the Santiago Bernabeu.
Widely linked with a move
away from the Spanish capital during the summer, if Real are able to find an
adequate replacement in January then he could well be on the move.
4. Roberto Soldado -
Tottenham
Soldado has netted twice from
the penalty spot.
Given that he only arrived at
White Hart Lane during the summer, it would be perhaps a little unfair to say
that Soldado is already threatening to join the long list of high-profile
Premier League flops.
The Spaniard, who joined the
North London outfit from La Liga side Valencia for a fee of approximately £26
million, has shown his ability in short bursts but is fair to stipulate that he
has lacked that decisive and necessary edge in front of goal.
Although Soldado has scored
two goals in the Premier League this season, both came from the penalty spot
and his lack of incisiveness in the box led Andre Villas-Boas to restore
Jermain Defoe to the starting lineup for the recent shock drubbing at the hands
of rivals West Ham United.
5. Fernando Torres - Chelsea
Torres just cannot seem to
score.
Although he has looked
slightly rejuvenated in short spells under returning boss Jose Mourinho, Torres
still does not appear capable of permanently re-discovering his previous form
in front of goal.
Showing glimpses of his
former self against inferior League One side Swindon in the Capital Once Cup,
Torres has largely failed to replicate such form in the Premier League and he
is yet to register on the scoresheet in five top-flight appearances.
Currently out with a knee
injury sustained in the Champions League, Torres will be desperately hoping he
can finally begin to live up to his mammoth £50 million price tag upon his
return.
Please feel free to comment
on our selections or leave your own below...
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