Which big players redeemed themselves in 2018/19?

Every year, big-name signings take place that, frankly, stink the place out. Players often come in to their sides and, for a season at least, fail to settle in. In the high-stakes world of the Premier League, this is increasingly common. Often, though, patience goes a long way to making a big difference – let’s take a look, then, at some players who have come back from tough periods in their careers to perform to higher standards.

Which big names, then, have enjoyed progressive 2018-19 seasons after a particularly poor start to their club careers wherever they are?

Luke Shaw

A fine example of a player rebuilding themselves after a tough year is that of Luke Shaw. The England international – now 23 – has endured a tough time at Old Trafford. Injury and then what amounted to psychological torture took place under Jose Mourinho, and it’s only now that Shaw appears to be finding his feet again.

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Shaw has shown much of the attributes that United originally bought him for.

Granit Xhaka

Once seen as the punchline in a joke, combative Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka appears to have finally found his form in England. A poor pair of seasons so far meant that many Arsenal fans were happy to write off the 26-year-old.

Now, though, he looks to have found his feet in the Premier League, with an impressive series of midfield performances across 2018-19 showing that he does indeed have a future under Unai Emery, who has rewarded Xhaka with consistent game-time.

Antonio Rudiger

The German international was, for the most part, walking a tightrope in his first year at Stamford Bridge. This year, though, he’s matched together physical prowess with consistency in his game, often providing a lot more good than bad in the way that he plays.

Rudiger is almost certainly one of the success stories of the Maurizio Sarri era, with his improvement a sure-fire sign that things are, at least for some players, progressing positively here.

Joel Matip

The Cameroon international was at one stage regarded as a bit of a liability for Liverpool. Weak and languid, he often provided little comfort to a backline that would often look all at sea.

However, Matip has now started to show some genuine form after spending large chunks of the season covering for Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren. He’s definitely earned the love and trust of the fans after a tough pair of Premier League seasons so far on Merseyside.

Joel Matip can have moments when he looks a mistake waiting to happen but he’s hardly put a foot wrong in the last four weeks; very, very good again today 🔴

— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) April 21, 2019

Raheem Sterling

Though Sterling has been excellent for Manchester City more or less since arrival, this year has been a true breakout year for him. 17 goals and 9 assists so far in the league alone is hugely impressive, and has him rated as among the best players in the country.

He’s enjoyed redemption from a harsh press who treated him with shocking disdain and mistrust for far too long. For Sterling, it shouldn’t have come down to his on-pitch performances to get the press off his back. He has, though, been incredible in 2018-19 – a true revelation. Redemption comes in many forms; for Sterling, he’s shut up all of his critics (even though they were wrong from the offset).