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World-class footballers can sometimes be their own worst enemies. The expectations on a player will inevitably rise if they consistently provide high-level performances.
With only a quarter of the 2021-22 season remaining, a number of players have put in outstanding individual displays. On the other hand, some have failed to find their feet this season.
Great footballers are more likely to bounce back from bad spells than others. This will be a top priority for the next five footballers, who by their usual standards are going through a surprisingly poor season. Without further ado, let's get started.
#5. Çaglar Soyuncu (Leicester City)
Leicester City central defender Çaglar Soyuncu's form has been slightly puzzling this term. The 25-year-old Turkish international emerged as a key player for the Foxes in the 2019-20 season. He was even named in the PFA Team of the Year (2019-20) alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Soyuncu recovered from an early-season injury to play every game of his side's triumphant FA Cup run in the 2020-21 season. It seemed like a move to an elite club wasn't far away. This season, though, Soyuncu looks like a shadow of his former self.
Playing just under 1,600 minutes, Soyuncu's tackle rate has fallen by four percent and passing accuracy by five percent from his levels in the 2019-20 season. With Leicester having conceded 37 goals - the sixth-worst record in the league - they badly need their talisman to rediscover his form.
#4. Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
Despite a month's worth of endless speculations linking him with a move to Arsenal, Alexander Isak will remain a Real Sociedad player at least until this summer.
Plenty of Isak's goal compilations have been consumed across London in the last five weeks or so. However, the simple fact is that the Swede hasn't been at his best so far this campaign.
Isak has just four league goals and an assist to his name this season, compared to his 17 goals in the previous campaign. Moreover, his xG per 90 has dropped from 0.62 in 2021 to 0.38 - 26th in La Liga. Isak's underlying numbers reflect that too, with his shots per 90 mins falling from a promising 3.1 to 2.7.
Despite finding themselves three points behind fourth-placed Barcelona, Sociedad have only scored 22 league goals. This is a figure topped by 12 sides in Spain. If Isak can improve on his goal-scoring and fire his side into the Champions League, he could leave as a hero.
#3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
While Liverpool have generally been pretty good this season, it's fair to say that some of their stars haven't been at their best. Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson and James Milner have all come in for criticism.
The most noticeable drop-off, however, has been that of Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman has been far from a disaster considering he's just 26 games into his comeback. A slight dip in form is totally understandable.
Van Dijk is still completing an exceptional 83 percent of his tackles. However, with his mobility slightly impeded, van Dijk is now averaging just 0.8 interceptions per 90. The figure is 0.3 lower than at any stage of his Liverpool career.
It's with the ball at his feet that the biggest difference can be seen. Van Dijk's progressive passing has taken a hit from 4.2 per game to 3.2 which is significantly lower than Joel Matip's 5.3. He now completes 77 percent of his long balls, which is the lowest of his Anfield career and ninth among Premier League centre-backs.
It has become clear that van Dijk is currently operating at a very good level rather than a world-class one. His recent mistakes against Chelsea and Crystal Palace further illuminate that point.
#2. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
Jan Oblak's form is one of several reasons why defending champions Atletico Madrid are enduring such a woeful season. A lack of an impact from Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix and Marcos Llorente underperforming are all contributing factors.
Oblak's performance, however, seems like the most significant one. Last season, Oblak was quite simply exceptional. He kept 18 clean sheets - the third-best in Europe - and prevented just shy of ten expected goals.
However, the ongoing 2021-22 season has been a different story altogether. Oblak has kept clean sheets in 27 percent of his games, which is his lowest percentage since 2012.
Oblak's save percentage of 44 ranks 109th in Europe. Arguably the best keeper in the world over the last few seasons, Oblak is letting eight more goals than xG predicted.
#1. Lionel Messi (PSG)
When Lionel Messi sealed his shock move to PSG in August of 2021, no one could have ever imagined him being included in this list. But here we are, and there's no point dressing up the fact that Messi has been underwhelming this term.
Approaching his 35th birthday, Messi is capable of averaging 0.9 expected goals and assists per game. However, given that people thought Messi would rip up Ligue 1, a return of two goals and six assists in his first 13 league games is unexpected.
Messi has been much better in the Champions League with as many as five goals to date. However, even his 4.6 shot-creating actions per game is 5.4 fewer than last season and 0.7 of his previous worst tally from the last ten years.
There is no doubt Messi will provide some special moments between now and May. However, when measured against expectations, it's been a disappointing campaign for the Argentine maestro.
