5 Superstars who have struggled to make an impact this season

Football is a team game, but there have been many instances of football matches turning around because of one spark of brilliance. All the top teams around the world have that one superstar capable of producing something out of nothing.

However, this season, while the usual suspects like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eden Hazard have all performed admirably, there have been some very well known names who have struggled to influence games like they usually do. Without much ado, let us take a look at 5 superstars who have struggled to have much of an impact this season:

#5 Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil just like his team Arsenal has not had a season to remember. The German playmaker has been a shadow of his own self and has often been criticised for his low work-rate and failure to step up in the big matches.

One of the best playmakers in world football last season, Ozil even topped the assists chart in Premier League and was simply magical often picking out his teammates with scarcely believable through balls.

This season, however, he has looked jaded. While the German created an incredible 144 chances in 35 Premier League games last season (4.11 per game). this season, he has created a paltry 59 chances in 22 games (2.68 per game). Also, he has only 4 assists so far compared to the 19 he had last season.

Arsenal will definitely need Ozil fit and back in form if they are to finish in the top 4 once again this season.

#4 Riyad Mahrez

It is safe to say that 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez, has not had the season he was hoping for this time around. The Algerian winger along with Jamie Vardy and N’golo Kante were stars of the Leicester City team which incredibly won the Premier League, but this season, he has arguably been one of the main reasons why the Foxes have been dragged into a relegation battle.

Full of tricks, flicks and stepovers, Mahrez has not exhibited the confidence he showed last season and has struggled to have much of an impact in the Premier League and Champions League. Vardy and Mahrez’s bad form even led to the sacking of much-loved manager Claudio Ranieri.

However, in recent weeks, Mahrez has shown glimpses of getting back to top form and Leicester City will need him to up his game if they are to prevent getting relegated.

#3 Sergio Busquets

Legendary Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque famously said about Sergio Busquets: "You watch the game, you don't see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game."

And if you have watched Busquets this season, you will see why Barcelona have not been at their best. Probably the most important player after Lionel Messi for the Catalan giants, the game’s premier defensive midfielder has really struggled for form and fitness and failed to marshal the game like he usually does.

With Andre Gomes and Ivan Rakitic not really cut out for the role, the Barcelona board are desperate to solve the problem and they will be desperate for the Spaniard to rediscover his top form once again.

#2 Karim Benzema

Alvaro Morata or Karim Benzema? The question must be haunting even the dreams of Real Madrid manager Zidane. The Frenchman has been an integral part of the awesome ‘BBC’ trio which has dominated world football, but this season, he has struggled to find his usual goalscoring form.

Last season, the Frenchman managed an impressive return of 24 goals in just 27 La Liga games, but this time around, he has not been as successful in finding the back of the net with the forward only managing to score 7 goals in 20 appearances so far.

With plenty of reports suggesting that Morata is not happy with his role, Zidane might consider selling the Frenchman for the right amount in the summer transfer window.

#1 Thomas Muller

German star Thomas Muller has had a shockingly bad season by his own high standards. One of the biggest stars in the Bayern Munich team, Muller due to his indifferent form has struggled to find a regular starting berth under Carlo Ancelotti.

A natural goalscorer and usually always competing for the golden boot in Bundesliga, Muller this season has only managed to score one goal. Also, his performances in general have been scratchy and this has led to Ancelotti dropping the versatile forward to the bench for important matches.

The German has also been linked with a big money move to Premier League giants Manchester United and if his woeful form continues, Bayern Munich board and Carlo Ancelotti might look to cash in on the World Cup winner in the summer.