Every year there are a number of breakout fantasy stars that take the Premier League by storm and while Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Watford’s Odion Ighalo have both made their mark so far this year there is no doubt that Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy has led the way when it comes to the biggest fantasy surprises of the season so far. On the flip side, there always seems to be a number of fantasy stars that follow up a brilliant performance one season with disappointment the following year and that has certainly been the case with a handful of players so far. We’re at the halfway mark, so now is a perfect time to do a review and uncover the four most disappointing Premier League fantasy players this season.
Eden Hazard, Chelsea
The defending Premier League champions Chelsea have been a disappointment for the most part this season. As we speak, the former EPL champions are 14th in the standings. They are closer to the relegation zone (six points) than the top of the table (19 points). One of the main reasons is that they’ve scored just 26 goals in 20 games this season. However, if there is one player that stands out more than the rest from a fantasy perspective it has to be their top midfielder Hazard. The Belgian International scored 14 goals with nine assists in 38 games for the Blues a year ago but he has been a shadow of his former self this season with zero goals and just two assists in 19 games. Hazard has struggled with his fitness and needs to get healthy now in order to recover his previous form but considering what we have seen from him so far this year it is safe to call him one of the biggest disappointments in the Premier League.
Diego Costa, Chelsea
The Spanish international finished third in Premier League scoring a year ago with 20 goals but he has largely been a bust so far this season with just six goals and two assists in 16 games. The lack of offense has been a major reason for Chelsea’s downfall and Jose Mourinho’s dismissal as manager while fantasy owners have been extremely disappointed with Costa’s overall performance this season. Like Hazard, Costa still has the potential to play at an elite level but his effort has been far too inconsistent all year and even with Mourinho’s dismissal it’s unlikely he will turn things around in order and recover from a fantasy perspective this season.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
It was just one year ago that United’s main man up front finished with 12 goals in the Premier League but those that took a chance on him from a fantasy perspective this season have been disappointed with his lack of production. Rooney is currently sitting on three goals and one assist in 16 games this season and his lack of production is among the biggest reasons why United has struggled up front. They have tallied just 24 goals this season in 20 games, which is among the fewest in the EPL. It’s amazing that they’re still fifth in the table with such little production at the offensive end.
At 30-years-old, Rooney isn’t the same elite scorer that he was even a year ago but he still has the potential to finish up front and needs to capitalize more often when the window is there for him to score.
Alex Sanchez, Arsenal
Arsenal has had a much better overall season than Chelsea and currently sits atop the Premier League table but that doesn’t mean the club’s top striker from a year ago has performed at an elite level. Sanchez has followed up a 16-goal campaign with just six goals through 13 appearances including a handful of extended droughts in which he failed to register a point. Olivier Giroud has helped bridge the gap with a team-leading 10 goals in 14 games this season but fantasy owners will continue to want more out of Sanchez the rest of the way.
