The 2021-22 Premier League is in full swing, which means there are multiple players who will be desperate to make their mark this season. From club to club, there are players who even themselves might have expected to be playing for a new badge, but for one reason or another––be it a lack of interested buyers, injured players in their position, or simply the deflated transfer market following the COVID-19 pandemic––they have remained. Here are four players who have been given another life to shine in the Premier League.
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspurs)
There are quite a few candidates at Tottenham who would fit into this category, but the most high-profile is Dele Alli. After consecutive sub-par performances in the final throes of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign and the disaster of last season under Jose Mourinho, Dele is certainly a player in the last-chance saloon at Tottenham.
The former MK Dons Academy graduate initially thrived as the figurehead of the Spurs’ renaissance when manager Jose Mourinho was appointed in November 2019: Alli created goal-scoring chances at an incredible rate. Yet, there was always a sense that the risk-taking Dele might not suit Mourinho’s conservative style. Though injuries and fitness issues caused inconsistencies, Dele’s slump under Mourinho can be written off as a lack of harmony between player and manager. With minimal opportunities to showcase his strengths, it was unsurprising to see the 21-year-old Englishman failing to make Gareth Southgate’s English National squad for the Euro 2020 campaign.
Now with Nuno Espirito Santo managing Spurs, Dele will likely grasp a second chance––he has plenty to offer the team with his threatening through-balls, accurate finishing, and intelligent off-the-ball movements. Santo’s tactics also focus on counter-attacks and dominance in the midfield region while maintaining defensive solidity through wide-pressing taps. This mixture between aggressiveness and possession is perfect for Dele.
Shandon Baptiste (Brentford)
The 2020-21 season was only a month old when tragedy struck for Shandon Baptiste. After short appearances in the Carabao Cup and a cameo off the bench against Huddersfield in the Championship league, Baptiste suffered a knee injury in training that eventually required surgery.
Benched for the remainder of the season, Baptiste watched as Thomas Frank’s Brentford won the Championship play-off final. Collectively, it was a remarkable accomplishment for the Bees, but Baptiste would have been disappointed he couldn’t contribute to the team’s success.
This season is more about seeking out lost glory rather than redemption for the Grenadian. Baptiste’s performances in preseason have already been eye-catching. In a preseason matchup against Boreham Wood, he showcased his full repertoire of skills: crisp crosses, slick ball control, and classy body feints were the order of the day as he helped newly-promoted Brentford clinch a 2-0 win. The 23-year-old’s preseason performance is a testament to his potential and ability to play several roles in the midfield area. Despite the signing of Midtjylland’s Frank Onyeka, a young talent who could be a regular for Brentford, Baptiste is primed to make an impact this year.
Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
While Baptiste is returning from an injury and making up for lost time, it’s a different story at Old Trafford. Jesse Lingard is third (at best) in the pecking order for the midfield position and has constantly faced challenges to find a starting spot in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
Nonetheless, The 28-year-old was one of the Premier League’s better players in the latter half of the 2020-21 season while on loan at West Ham United. Lingard was crucial under David Moyes’ system, displaying versatility as a winger, central midfielder, and holding midfielder depending on the opponent. Regularly appearing on the starting lineup, Lingard quickly became a cornerstone of West Ham’s attack and was instrumental in helping the Irons earn a chance to play in the Europa League competition.
Following Lingard’s impressive performances at the end of last season, Solskjaer has already mentioned plans to integrate Lingard for the new campaign. Lingard’s charismatic playstyle and aggressiveness during counter-attacks make him the fringe player most likely to find success in United’s first team. Watch this space.
Naby Keita (Liverpool)
When Naby Keita was substituted in the first half of Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid, his future at Anfield looked bleak. Though Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp handed a golden opportunity on the biggest European stage to Keita, the Guinean blew it. Keita struggled badly and with the Reds conceding two goals before halftime, Klopp opted for an instant change. Following the poor performance at the Di Stefano, Keita didn’t feature again all season, sparking rumors that he would be sold this summer transfer window.
Yet, Keita has persevered, and this year represents one last shot at justifying Liverpool’s £52.75 million investment. There have been moments of brilliance during his first three seasons, but it’s been horribly inconsistent due to a succession of injuries. A lack of bids, the departure of midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, and the absence of a highlight transfer this summer are all factors in Keita staying at the club. He’s had more than enough chances. No more excuses now.
Every year, a collection of players emerge and confound expectations to become mainstays in their respective teams: Chelsea’s Reece James, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, and West Ham’s Michail Antonio to name a few. There are also plenty of players who can replicate that path of success this season by rediscovering some semblance of form, gaining confidence, and overcoming skepticism. Do these players have what it takes? We shall see.
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