EPL Stars who need to prove their Career Next Season

The Premier League is tough. Players are expected to be in top form week in and week out; otherwise, they might lose their place in the starting XI. Such goes for all players, including the club's stars. Should their club keep them for the next campaign, there is only one way to prove their worth: step up and stay consistent, plus avoid suffering injuries if possible so that they will not be sidelined for too long.

Here are some famous players in the 2023–24 season who need to prove their worth next season.

Gabi Jesus (Arsenal)

The 27-year-old forward has been rather disappointing this season. He slowly lost his place in the starting lineup due to his inability to make a difference in big games. His contribution in the 2023–24 campaign was declining too, with only eight goals and assists each in 36 games. In the previous season, Jesus could still lay on 11 goals and seven assists in 33 games. His lack of consistency, physical fitness, and clinical finish, plus a series of injuries, have led him to go down in the pecking order behind Belgian international Leandro Trossard or Kai Havertz, as Mikel Arteta started to deploy double false nines last season. 

The former Manchester City man has been linked to a move elsewhere. Yet he has reportedly stated that he has no intention to leave and would fight for his place again. He is undoubtedly in need of proving his worth sooner than later. 

Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)

The 26-year-old French winger was Chelsea’s transfer failure last season. His campaign was marred by injuries, as he only played 14 games in all competitions and registered three goals. Such was certainly disappointing for the versatile forward who was expected to lead the line. 

Nkunku was the Bundesliga's top scorer in 2022–23, and his contribution for RB Leipzig was outstanding. He bagged 70 goals and provided 56 assists for the Bundesliga side, plus he helped them clinch the DFB Pokal back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. 

His 60-million-pound transfer fee would be expected to be paid off next season. Nkunku’s pace and power to shoot would need to be optimised with Premier League standards to help him bounce back. Otherwise, he could be sold out, as there have been rumours about it too, or worse, be sidelined for the sake of the team.

are expected to be in high demand again, and such would not materialise if the team’s form is still below par. 

Matteo Kovacic (Manchester City)

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid man has had an average season. He was not yet the mainstay in the Etihad but had featured 46 games with three goals and one assist in all competitions. Nevertheless, he is still in need of improving his form, as Pep Guardiola always expects high standards and consistency from his players. Should he fail, the Croatian international could end up like Jack Grealish, the key man in The Citizens’ triple winners in 2023, who failed to live up to the expected standard. Such led to his failure to cut England’s EURO 2024 final squad. 

The 30-year-old midfielder, who just signed for Manchester City last season, has had experience playing for big teams from Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. He has won all major titles for the club and has gotten used to the high pressure in big clubs.

Ibrahim Konate (Liverpool)

The 25-year-old defender has been criticised for his declining form. His injuries and lack of physical fitness forced him to sit out in the past four Premier League games. Konate still featured 37 times in all competitions in the 2023–24 season, but his discipline and concentration at the backline have become his issues to resolve next season. If Konate could not prove his worth under the new boss, Arne Slot, he could be put on the transfer list or loaned out elsewhere. 

Initially,

Yet, his injury record has been a concern, which proved to be true last season. This is something the French international needs to work on next season.

Radu Dragusin (Tottenham)

The 22-year-old centre back just made a move to Tottenham in January 2024 from the Serie A side Genoa. He was not the first choice in the back line yet. The Romanian international only made nine appearances in the Premier League. His form was not impressive either. No wonder that he has to work hard to get a nod in the starting lineup next season. Dragusin should impress Spurs’ boss, Ange Postecoglou, to field him alongside Micky Van de Ven and Christian Romero eventually, instead of being their understudy. 

Dragusin was instrumental in helping Genoa gain their promotion last season from the second tier, Serie B. He netted four goals in 38 appearances in 2022–23. In 2023/24, he also netted twice and provided one assist in 19 games in the Italian top flight, Serie A. One of his goals was against Inter Milan, which helped them snatch one point. 

Mason Mount (Manchester United)

The former Chelsea man has been disappointing in his first season with Manchester United. He joined the Red Devils for £55 million as the initial transfer fee and was expected to be the key man from the second line to support their skipper, Bruno Fernandes. Unfortunately, he did not live up to the expectations.

although he did help Erik Ten Hag's men snatch the FA Cup title, which is also the first one in his career. 

His first season at Old Trafford was also marred with injuries, resulting in his inability to reach peak form. Such led to his failure to make the cut in the Three Lions’ final squad for EURO 2024. It is quite a shame, as he was playing regularly under Gareth Southgate and was always included in the last two major competitions, EURO 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

His current woeful season is definitely quite in contrast to his spell at Chelsea. The versatile attacking midfielder had been the mainstay at Stamford Bridge. He made 195 appearances for the Blues from 2019 to 2023, scoring 33 goals and providing 35 assists. Mount had enjoyed some of the most prestigious silverware at the club level, such as the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup in 2021. 

Next season will be his decisive moment in Manchester. He would have to convince Erik Ten Hag, who is still in charge of the club eventually after the rumour on his exit lately.