Five Premier League players underused in 2024/25 | OneFootball

Premier League clubs stack their squads with depth and there are always some talents who struggle to get a look in.

During the 2024/25 campaign, several names have found themselves on the fringes and will be hoping for improved fortunes next season.

Five Premier League players underused in 2024/25

Donyell Malen – Aston Villa

Aston Villa reinforced their forward line with the £21m capture of Donyell Malen in January, before bolstering further with the opportunistic loan arrivals of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. As the latter duo became key cogs for Unai Emery, Malen has found minutes difficult to find.

The 26-year-old was left out of the Champions League squad due to registration rules and has made just three league starts since arriving from Borussia Dortmund. He’s scored three times in just 292 minutes of league action to show his quality, but will want more regular opportunities next season.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Chelsea

After Enzo Maresca left Leicester for Chelsea last summer, the Italian raided his former side to reunite with Kieran Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder was the catalyst for Leicester’s promotion last season but has found the step up difficult to bridge.

Though clearly talented, Dewsbury-Hall has failed to dislodge Cole Palmer or Enzo Fernandez from the Chelsea side, with the bulk of his minutes coming in Europe.

Maresca has guided Chelsea to the Europa Conference League final with largely a second-string side, one that Dewsbury-Hall has featured in prominently. His debut season may end with a European trophy but it would be no surprise to see the 26-year-old exit in the summer. Just 15% of his minutes have come in the Premier League.

Harvey Elliott – Liverpool

Harvey Elliott looked on the cusp of becoming a Liverpool starter under Jurgen Klopp last season, after making 53 appearances in all competitions.

However, the 22-year-old has failed to win over Arne Slot and did not make his first Premier League start of the campaign until earlier this month – with the title already assured.

Elliott’s potential is clear and he has five goals and three assists despite limited involvement this season. Yet there’s an argument that he lacks the physical profile to thrive at Liverpool, where Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai currently occupy his preferred roles. Earlier this week, Elliott suggested he may need to move on to continue his development.

“I think I’ve [shown what I can do] this season,” Elliott said.

“It’s been hard with how much I’ve played. I’ve tried as hard as I could and whatever happens, happens. It’s football at the end of the day and in my opinion, I just need to do what’s best for my career.”

Ibrahim Sangare – Nottingham Forest

Ibrahim Sangare was in danger of being written off as a market mistake at Nottingham Forest. An underwhelming first season in the Premier League was followed by an injury-hit second, before the midfielder’s emergence for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the run-in.

After returning from a hamstring injury in January, Sangare did not make his first league start post-absence until earlier this month. Some encouraging outings have offered hope ahead of next season, with the Ivorian in the top 3% of Premier League midfielders for tackles per 90 minutes (4.21).

Evan Ferguson – Brighton and West Ham

Not so long ago, Evan Ferguson was being touted as a £100m footballer.

This season has been a disaster for the Irishman, however, who has failed to get a look in at either Brighton or West Ham. Ferguson made just two league starts across the first half of the campaign, before joining West Ham on loan in January.

Despite a reunion with former Seagulls manager Graham Potter, it’s a move that has failed to work out. Ferguson has totalled just 152 minutes of league action for the Hammers with Potter often preferring to operate without a recognised forward. A huge pre-season is needed for a talented young player whose development has stalled.

Read – The best goals of the 2024/25 Premier League season

See more – 📈 Power Rankings: Aston Villa return, Liverpool tumble

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