'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2021-22 season is off to a cracking start as the action heats up across Europe's top five leagues. Several world-class players have continued their merry ways this season, scoring goals and providing assists for fun.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski have continued their ridiculous goalscoring form over the past few seasons. However, several top talents have failed to perform at an elite level for quite some time. That raises questions about their long-term future at their respective clubs.
On that note, here's a look at the five world-class players who are well past their prime:
#5 Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil is considered by many to be one of the greatest playmakers in modern football, and it is difficult to argue against that.
Trending
In his prime, the former German international was a magician with the ball at his feet, notching up countless assists for a misfiring Gunners outfit. However, Ozil was treated somewhat unfairly by his former teammate Mikel Arteta, and the duo had a well-documented fallout.
The now-33-year old was frozen out of the first team by Arteta, and was forced to train with the reserves.
Ozil was also left out of Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads for the 2020-21 season. It would be fair to say that the German has spent the last few of his best footballing years on the sidelines at the Emirates.
The 33-year old is currently plying his trade in the Super Lig for Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce SK.
#4 Isco
At 29, Isco is supposed to be at the peak of his footballing powers, but the Spanish international has failed to live up to his immense potential.
Isco enjoyed his breakthrough spell at Malaga, where he established himself as one of the most talented players of his generation. Real Madrid paid £27 million to acquire Isco's services in the summer of 2013, and his incredible talent was lauded by fans and critics alike.
He was also tipped to be the man to lead Spanish football after the golden generation passed on the baton. But Isco has severely underwhelmed in national and club colours.
The attacking midfielder has registered a meagre six appearances for Real Madrid this season. Four of them have been from the bench. Isco certainly has the talent to turn things around, but one would argue that the Spaniard is likely well past his prime.
#3 Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona broke the bank in the 2018 summer transfer window to secure a club-record €135 million transfer for Philippe Coutinho.
There were huge expectations on the Brazilian as he was presented as the Blaugrana's replacement for Xavi and Andres Iniesta. However, Coutinho has looked like a shadow of his former self at Camp Nou.
Arguably, his best performance since signing for the Cules came against the club while on loan at Bayern Munich. The Brazilian scored a brace to complete Bayern's 8-2 demolition job of Barcelona in the 2019-20 Champions League quarter-final.
Coutinho has been afforded more game time in the 2021-22 season to make a case for himself, but has largely flattered to deceive. The 29-year-old has failed to control the game from the middle of the park, and has contributed to Barcelona's disappointing start to the season.
In 11 appearances across all competitions this season, Coutinho has generated a return of only one goal. The likes of Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Sergio Busquets have gotten the nod ahead of the Brazilian in Barcelona's recent games.
Several clubs have turned down the opportunity to sign Philippe Coutinho in recent years. So it might be said that the player is nearing his end at the top of the game.
#2 Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is arguably one of the most underrated players in Real Madrid history, despite having played a pivotal role in four Champions League wins.
After his £90 million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, the Welshman failed to live up to the ridiculously high standards of the Real Madrid faithful. Bale's relationship with the fans and club remains a fractured one, which has been a major hindrance in his development at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Welshman has registered only three appearances for Real Madrid this season, but has managed to get on the scoresheet in his limited playing time.
Much like Hazard, the 32-year old has spent a long time on the sidelines due to recurring injuries during his eight-year stay in Madrid. Bale has also looked unsettled in the Spanish capital for a long time now, and that has severely impacted his game.
While you can never write off a champion player like Bale, it would be fair to say that we've already seen the best of the explosive forward.
#1 Eden Hazard
During his seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge, Eden Hazard established himself as one of the elite talents in the game. However, things haven't panned out according to script thereafter, as the Belgian international has largely underwhelmed at his new club.
Real Madrid splurged a club-record €116 million to seal Hazard's signing. The Belgian was tipped to be the man to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the long run.
The Belgian captain, though, failed to hit the ground running in the Spanish capital. Injuries haven't helped Hazard either, as he has been restricted to the sidelines for a major chunk of his Los Blancos career.
Hazard has managed to remain relatively injury-free this season, notching up ten appearances across competitions. He enjoyed a promising start to the season, registering an assist in Real Madrid's season-opener of their ongoing league campaign.
The former Chelsea man has failed to make any real impact since, with no goal contributions in his subsequent nine appearances. This season, Hazard has been relegated to the bench in some of Real Madrid's most important fixtures, including their most recent El Clasico game.
From the outside, it seems like the Belgian has fallen out of favour under Carlo Ancelotti. He is seemingly behind Benzema, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Asensio in the pecking order.
In a recent interview, Ancelotti said:
"Those who don't play need to have faith. Look at Mariano, how he finally got his chance and is enjoying himself, playing good. That's what Hazard needs to do."
