In the relentless churn of the Premier League, where new signings dominate headlines and form is fleeting, several notable names have quietly slipped from view this campaign. These are players who arrived with significant promise or pedigree but now find themselves on the margins, their careers at a crossroads.
At Chelsea, the situation of Raheem Sterling is particularly stark. Once a marquee £50 million arrival symbolising a new era, the former Manchester City and England forward now trains separately from the main squad. Despite being a four-time league winner and a key figure for his country not long ago, Sterling has become emblematic of the club’s sprawling, expensive recruitment. A succession of managerial changes and massive further investment in his position have left him isolated. While his lucrative contract remains, a return to the fold under the current management appears unlikely.
His teammate, defender Axel Disasi, shares a similar fate. A World Cup finalist with France, his £38.7 million move has unravelled quickly. Deemed tactically unsuited after a handful of appearances, a critical error in a defeat last December effectively ended his chances. He now finds himself behind multiple other options in his position, a rapid fall from grace for the 26-year-old.
At Liverpool, Rhys Williams is a name that may surprise some supporters to learn is still on the books. Thrust into the spotlight as a teenage emergency option during an injury crisis, he played a vital role in a top-four finish and a Champions League run. However, that breakthrough proved to be a mirage. Multiple loan moves have followed, and he has not featured for the first team since that unexpected campaign, becoming a peripheral figure at Anfield.
Manchester United’s Tyrell Malacia arrived as a foundational signing for a new project, but nearly four years later, he has managed just 25 league appearances. A serious knee injury sidelined him for over a year, and upon his return, he found a club transformed. After a loan spell at PSV, he returned to Manchester only to train away from the primary group. A single bench appearance this season hints at a possible reprieve, but his future remains deeply uncertain.
For Fábio Carvalho, the path has been one of frustrating stagnation. Hailed as a thrilling prospect upon his move to Liverpool, opportunities at Anfield and a subsequent loan were minimal. A permanent switch to Brentford offered hope of reigniting his development, but starts have been scarce. This week, his season was cruelly ended by an ACL injury in training, halting any momentum and presenting a severe setback for the 23-year-old.
Finally, at Brighton, stalwart Solly March faces an increasingly tough battle. The club’s second-longest serving player, he has been a fixture since their promotion. However, after fighting back from one long-term knee injury to make a start last April, he suffered another setback almost immediately. With just a handful of starts in the last two seasons, the winger risks being gently phased out, a harsh reality for a loyal servant.
These players, for reasons of form, fitness, or tactical fit, have become the league’s invisible men. Their stories serve as a reminder of football’s precarious nature, where today’s key figure can swiftly become tomorrow’s afterthought.