Which players are under the most pressure at the ‘Big Six’?

For all of the ‘big’ clubs in England, carrying players who simply do not do the job is part of squad building. You make gambles when buying players at this level, and many times these gambles simply do not pay off. There are some players, then, who might be looking at the exit door without really wanting to. Let’s take a look at five players in England who definitely need to up their game between now and August 2019 if they wish to keep playing for top clubs.

Divock Origi

The fact this is even being written should, in a way, be testament to the Belgian. By all intents finished as a Liverpool player, Origi was bought on against Everton in desperation rather than design. He scored a fluky late winner, and in the process changed the entire festive season for Liverpool.

Since then, though, poor performances have framed much of his season. He’ll need to do more than show a turn of pace if he wishes to remain part of the Liverpool forward line next year.

Benjamin Mendy

Comical on social media and not so funny on the pitch, the laughing Frenchman might need to get more serious next year. Injuries and fallouts with Pep Guardiola have plagued his time in Manchester, and his off-pitch performances are gaining more traction than his actual performances on the field.

This could change quite quickly, though, especially if Mendy bucks up his ideas. A failure to do so, though, might see him move entirely. Manchester City don’t exactly need to wait – for anyone.

Andreas Christensen

Once seen as the future of the Chelsea back-line, it’s been a backwards 18-24 months for the Danish international. Just 6 league appearances – none of them impressive – have come in this season for him, as well as a host of cup games. He will need to do a lot more to retain his position at Chelsea, though, even with the looming 2-year transfer ban.

Even during his rare performances for the Blues, Christensen has seen his play overshadowed by the form of Antonio Rudiger, who has enjoyed a standout performance in the Chelsea back line.

Shkrodan Mustafi

For some, the level in improvement needed from 27-year-old Mustafi is simply too much to actually bridge. His poor performances are too common, and his good games often not good enough to persevere with. Another end to the season like those previous, though, and Mustafi might finally exhaust the remaining goodwill he has.

Poor performances are a weekly occurrence for the German, who must soon find his form or expect an exit to be provided in the summer.

David de Gea

Though some might find that odd, given his stature at Old Trafford, but David de Gea is in the middle of a contract dispute he’s not really playing good enough to get into. Poor form for the best part of 18-months leaves some United fans wondering if they should cash in on the 28-year-old, who has become increasingly vocal about moving on, following the foot steps of club captain Antonio Valencia.

With such poor form becoming consistent, though, United might choose to part ways now than risk signing up a player who might just be passing beyond his peak years. Though just 28, de Gea has been on a mild downward trend for some time. If that continues, he might not be around for too much longer.

Featured Image Credit: Brian Minkoff-London Pixels [CC BY-SA 4.0]