5 world-class players who have struggled this season (2020-21)

#3 Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane has been a key player at Real Madrid during his nearly decade-long stint at the club.

Along with Sergio Ramos, the Frenchman formed a formidable central defensive partnership last season to help Real Madrid win their first La Liga title in three years on the back of an uncharacteristic defensive rearguard.

However, Varane has become increasingly error-prone this season and has especially struggled in the absence of Ramos.

3 - Raphaël Varane has made more errors leading to goals in the Champions League than any other player since the start of 2020 (3). Strange. pic.twitter.com/jGbdv90UBU

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 1, 2020

Real Madrid need the Frenchman - still only 27 - to become the club's defensive lynchpin as they begin to prepare for life after Sergio Ramos, who could leave Los Blancos this summer.

The player is firmly in the plans of manager Zinedine Zidane, who recently declared the player as 'untransferable' when he said:

"It's not just me (who wants to keep him). He is a part of this club, and we were very lucky to be able to bring him to Madrid. He has a great career, and he's achieved a lot since he's been here. Of course, he is untransferable for the club, for the coach that I am, for people in general."

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#2 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

After arriving at Arsenal in 2018, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang amassed 70 goals in 109 games in all competitions before this season.

However, this season, the Gabon international, who is also the captain of Arsenal, has scored a meager six goals in 18 games in all competitions - a massively underwhelming tally for a player who has won the Torjegarkannone and the Premier League Golden Boot.

The 31-year-old, who has netted at the wrong end of the field this season, needs to turn around his and his club's fortunes for the better.

1 - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s own goal was the first time Arsenal have conceded via a set-piece this season, becoming the 20th and final team to do so. Glanced. #ARSBUR pic.twitter.com/0Lhtnewhxw

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 13, 2020

Unsurprisingly, the dismal form of Aubameyang has had a direct effect on goal-shy Arsenal's performances this season.

The Gunners were languishing at the wrong end of the league table for most of the season before recently experiencing an upturn of sorts.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta backed his star player to come out of his rough patch when he said in this regard:

"We cannot forget what Auba has done for this club and what he has done in recent months, not years ago. As well, I see how he's training and how he's behaving, how much he wants to turn this situation around. When I see that type of hunger, it's about supporting the player as well as the status he has in the team because of the performances he has provided for this football club."

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#1 Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)

Serge Gnabry

Serge Gnabry, arguably one of the best wingers in the game at the moment, scored 23 goals and assisted 14 in Bayern Munich's spectacular treble-winning season last campaign.

However, the German player has failed to set the stage alight with his performances this season. Beset by injuries and poor form, the 25-year-old has only managed to score four goals and provide three assists in 20 games across competitions in 2020-21.

Serge Gnabry working on his comeback [🎥 @FCBayern]pic.twitter.com/Y6ekfh56Xm

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 9, 2021

Nevertheless, such is the embarrassment of riches (read 'quality players') at the club, Bayern Munich, are in contention for another treble this season.