3 Underperforming Players of the 2024/25 Premier League Season

16 Jan 2025 ScoreWaves Staff view

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The Premier League season is always packed with drama, thrilling performances, and the rise of new stars. However, not all the big names have lived up to expectations this time around. In a season where the competition is fierce, several world-class players have failed to replicate the form that made them household names. Here, we’ll take a closer look at three high-profile players who have been underperforming in the 2024/25 season.

1) Son Heung-Min (Spurs)

Son Heung-Min has long been the heartbeat of Tottenham Hotspur, providing countless memorable moments and becoming a fan favorite. His numbers last season were exceptional, scoring 17 goals and adding 10 assists, contributing massively to Spurs’ attacking play. But this season, things haven’t quite been the same. While he still has 12 goal involvements (6 goals and 6 assists), he’s a shadow of the player who lit up the Premier League in previous years.

Despite being joint top for goal involvements in Spurs’ squad, Son is struggling to find his rhythm in Ange Postecoglou’s high-octane, possession-based system. In this system, wingers are expected to stay wide, stretch the opposition, and take on defenders. Son, however, is struggling in this department. With just 1.30 successful take-ons per game, he’s in the 35th percentile of players across Europe, which is well below the expected standard for a player in his position. His reluctance to hug the touchline and take on defenders, a key requirement in Postecoglou’s tactical setup, is making it difficult for him to have the same impact on matches.

At 32 years old, with his 33rd birthday just around the corner, the question on many minds is whether this is the beginning of the end for Son at the top level. His pace, which was once one of his defining traits, appears to have slowed, and he’s yet to adjust his game to maintain his level of influence. While his goal tally isn’t terrible, it’s clear that Son is struggling to find the same explosive form he was known for. If he cannot adapt to the evolving tactical requirements of his team, this could be the season where age catches up with the South Korean star.

2) Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Phil Foden had a remarkable season in 2023/24, winning the PFA Player of the Year award for his incredible performances. His combination of vision, technical skill, and creativity made him one of the most exciting players in the Premier League. However, this season has been a different story for the 24-year-old. Like many of his Manchester City teammates, Foden has struggled to hit the heights of last year, and his underperformance is a reflection of the struggles plaguing the entire City squad.

With just four goals to his name, Foden’s contribution to City’s attack has been significantly lower than expected. His numbers in key areas paint a concerning picture. He has averaged just 2.59 progressive carries and 1 successful take-on per game. These figures place him in the 21st and 25th percentiles in Europe among attacking midfielders, which is a far cry from the electric performances we saw last season. Foden’s ability to drive the ball forward and beat defenders was a key part of his game last year, but this season, those same qualities have been missing.

Manchester City’s squad is aging, and the pressure is mounting on Foden to step up and become the new talisman for the team. With key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan on the wrong side of 30, Foden has an opportunity to make himself the focal point of City’s attack. But for that to happen, he needs to rediscover his form quickly. If he can regain the sharpness and creativity that earned him so many plaudits last season, Foden has the potential to lead City’s attack and deliver when it matters most.

3) Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Martin Ødegaard was one of the standout performers of Arsenal’s last two title challenges, providing a creative spark for Arsenal and playing a central role in their push for the Premier League title. The Norwegian midfielder was involved in 40 goal contribution over the past two seasons. However, Ødegaard picked up an ankle injury early in the season, and since then, he hasn’t been the same player.

His form has dipped, and he’s managed just four goal contributions so far this season—far below the standard he set in the previous campaign. For a player who had been consistently contributing goals and assists, this drop-off has been a massive disappointment for both Ødegaard and Arsenal fans. The Gunners have found themselves relying heavily on set pieces for goals, as Ødegaard has struggled to create chances and link up play in the way we’ve become accustomed to seeing.

That being said, Ødegaard’s underlying stats still suggest that he’s not far from regaining his best form. His passing numbers, chance creation, and overall involvement in Arsenal’s build-up play remain impressive, which gives hope that he can return to his creative best in the near future. Arsenal will need him firing on all cylinders if they are to mount a serious challenge to Liverpool for the title. If Ødegaard can shake off the effects of his injury and rediscover his form, he will be a vital cog in Arsenal’s push for success this season.