The Premier League is easily the most competitive competition in the world of football in Europe and the clubs around the country are busy in the festive period trying to keep up the good work and stay strong in the points table going into the second half of the season.
The year 2016 has been a memorable one for more than one reason and has given the fans some moments to cherish for years to come. There have been some extra ordinary individual performances throughout the season which have set the league on fire while some high profile players failed to have the kind of an impact that was expected of them this year.
Now that we are in the last few days of the year, it is time to relive all such performances that let their team down. At the end of 2016, here is the flop XI in the Premier League:
Claudio Bravo (Manchester City):
The former Barcelona man was purchased by Guardiola in the summer this year and ever since, Bravo has looked nervous in front of goal and has cost Manchester City fair few points. He edges past Loris Karius from Liverpool for a place in side because of the number of chances he has got to rectify himself.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea):
The Serbian full-back was used as a center back in the absence of John Terry at the start of the year and then as a part of a 3-man defense under Antonio Conte this season. However, he failed to have any kind of an impact in any of those positions and is now currently frozen out of the squad and finds a place in this team.
John Terry (Chelsea):
Constantly hurt by injuries, the English international, who extended his contract for another year late last season, has just not been able to show enough promise under Conte to get a place in the starting XI. He was replaced by Ivanovic at the back last season and is unable to start games this season and has been one of the biggest flops of the year.
John Stones (Everton / Manchester City):
The English defender is touted as the next big thing in the domestic circuit but in all fairness, he has had an year to forget at Everton and Manchester City. At the Goodison, he showed a few weaknesses late last season that was exploited by a fair few clubs while he has been guilty of overdoing things at the Etihad under Guardiola this season making him a flop for the year.
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool):
Liverpool’s Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno, single handedly helped the side out of the finals of the Europa League last season and that was nothing in front of the number of times he left his side of the defense open costing Liverpool a few points last season and has completely lost his place in the side this season and is replaced by Milner.
Fabian Delph (Manchester City):
Having made a high profile move to City from Villa, Delph, had a few injuries to deal with at the start of the campaign but he has not been able to have any kind of an effect on the side this year in the few chances he has got to prove himself. He is currently not in the plans of Pep Guardiola, the newbiew at the Etihad and finds a place in this team.
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United):
The Belgian international started the previous season fine fashion but the second half of the previous season saw him lose his confidence as he slowly also lost his place in the side. Though he started regularly under Mourinho early this season, he failed to have the required impact and is now frozen out of the first team by the manager, making him one of the biggest flops of the year.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United):
Another Manchester United man to make the list, Rooney, is the skipper of the side but he was dropped at the start of the current season due to lack of form. He has not been able to help his side in the final third throughout the year and has been a passenger in games at times, making him one of the biggest flops this year.
Memphis Depay (Manchester United):
The Dutch international, who is easily one of the best players in his country, was expected to make a huge difference to the Old Trafford outfit but he failed to have any kind of an impact on the side, even after getting enough chances and is now out of favor under Jose Mourinho and might be sold off in January.
Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion):
The 23-year old striker was an exciting prospect for West Brom for more than a season now but he has not been able to help the Baggies constantly since his move to the club. He was frozen out of the team late last year and though he made a comeback, he failed to score or create goals for his side and has continued to struggle this season to make this side.
Wilfried Bony (Manchester City/ Stoke City):
The former Swansea City striker was expected to play a role for Manchester City in the previous season but he failed to have an impact in the few chances he got and was finally sold to Stoke in the summer. Bony, is yet to help Stoke in their campaign and is one of the biggest flops of the year.
