Overrated Premier League Players who Have Already Been Exposed This Season

As we enter the second international period of the Premier League season, let us gaze back at what has happened thus far and judge those who haven't quite lived up to the hype thus far.

Some may well point to the early nature of the season, we are after all only seven games in, but in spite of that there are players country wide who have disappointed for one reason or another.

Be it a striker who is struggling to continue to add to a stunning start last term, a goalkeeper who has set himself high standards through his Premiership career, or an import which to some extent shocked the footballing world.

You may well have already figured out the three players who Sports Portal are going to highlight are, but if you haven't let us talk you through our reasons and why they feature.

Papiss Cisse - Newcastle United

One major reason why Newcastle soared to a fifth placed finish in the Premier League last season, was their january acquisition of Papiss Demba Cisse from Bundesliga side Freiburg.

Here his impressive goalscoring record had impressed many around Europe, and he also became the African to have scored the most goals in one season in Germany.

After arriving in the North-East he plundered 13 goals, many of which were wonder strikes, and it seemed he was something of a bargain.

This season has been an eye opener, however, and he has struggled to find the back of the net.

He two goals in the 2012/13 campaign coming in the League Cup against Manchester United, and at home to Bordeaux in the Europa League.

Those connected with the club will point to the young nature of the season, but will secretly be hoping he can net a Premier League goal sooner rather than later,

They will not want a Fernando Torres esque situation from last season happening.

Pepe Reina - Liverpool

For many reasons Pepe Reina may well be a Liverpool legend, after all he has displaced many previous records held at the club.

In December 2005, just a few short months after being recruited by Rafael Benitez, he chalked up 11 successive clean sheets.

In addition to this he recorded 28 shut outs in his first fifty games, surpassing the great Ray Clemence.
 
On top of that for three straight season he triumphed in winning the Premier League Golden Gloves, and performed heroics, albeit after some questionable goalkeeping, in the 2006 FA Cup final.

This season though some rather high profile gaffes have begun to creep in, on an all to frequent basis.

Of course those who stand between the sticks are on a small wire between success and failure, but it is always worrying when these mistakes creep in a little too much.

After last seasons poor showing Liverpool are keen to climb back up the league, and Reina will be hoping he can put in some stellar performances to help with that quest.

Julio Cesar - Queens Park Rangers

A Goalkeeper who arrived at Loftus Road with a big reputation, having enjoyed huge success during a seven year stay at Italian giants Inter Milan.

After joining in 2005 he quickly established himself as number one, overtaking the legendary Francesco Toldo, and set about bringing five Scudetti and a Champions League title to the club amongst other honours.

When Samir Handanovic arrived in the summer, having played nearly 200 times for Udinese, it spelt the end of the Brazlians stay at the San Siro though.

The two time Seria A goalkeeper of the year and 2009 Uefa Club Goalkeeper of the Year set off for England, determined to show his former employers they were wrong to get rid.

However, he has only proved what they perhaps already knew, that he is no longer part of the elite goalkeeping community.

It is harsh to lay the blame at one man for a club being bottom of the league, but his decision making has hardly been exemplary.

If he can improve between the sticks QPR may have a chance, if this slide continues it is difficult to see if they can raise themselves from the abyss.

Chelsea

With a new manager and plenty of fresh faces expected to roll into Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, everyone concerned with this club has high hopes of another Premier League success. At the very least. Andre Villas Boas will have his work cut out though, fail to win a thing and just ask predecessor Carlo Ancelotti how that gruesome axe feels when it's horrendously wielded by Roman Abramovich. Chelsea will be hoping to start where they left off, with a tremendous finish to the season bringing them surging into second place.

Goalkeeper

Everyone knows who the number one is here, and next season will be no different. Petr Cech will keep his place between the sticks, hoping to put what have been increasingly frequent mistakes, by his standards, over the last few seasons to one side. New signing Thibaud Courtois has arrived and departed on loan already, so Ross Turnbull, remember him, will continue with deputy duties.

Defence

Typically very strong, and this season should be no different. With John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Alex they possess three big intimidating centre half's, which also couples as a terrific weapon at set pieces. New boy David Luiz, despite occasional erratic behaviour on the pitch, has already endeared himself to the fans and looks a great buy. With Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa they also have attacking wing backs, who can track back and forth up the touch line all day long.

Midfield

After a blistering start last season, the middle of the park seemed to go a bit stale. Frank Lampard failed to hit his trademark thunderbolts as often as usual, while his passing occasional went astray too. Ramires failed to live up to his fee, while some steel was lost, and will continue to be, due to Michael Essien's injury problems. Villas Boas could have a little work to do here, although the return of Yossi Benayoun will add much needed creativity.

Forwards

The debate continue to rage about Chelsea's front line, can a partnership be formed, who needs to leave and will they sign any one else. Mr Abramovich is certain to want a return on his £50m investment of Fernando Torres, and it is widely known he prefers a lone striker role. But with Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Saloman Kalou and the returning Daniel Sturridge to please is that possible? Well with support strikers it could certainly work, but putting a partner with the Spaniard up top would not.

Manager

Despite being just 33 years of age, Villas Boas already has a healthy reputation around Europe. Hence the reporter £13+ paid to secure his services from FC Porto, the highest ever for a manager. In his one season in charge of the Portuguesse giants he won four trophies, in the form of Supercup, Primeira Liga, Portuguesse Cup and Europa League (becoming the youngest manager to win a European competition). There is no reason he shouldn't succeed in London, but if he doesn't it could prove a very costly gamble.

Areas to Strengthen

At the back they remain as solid as ever, but it is at the other end where the problems could lie. The striker problem needs to be sorted whether that is with departures and arrivals, although there's no reason it can't be sorted internally. In Midfield a replacement for Essien needs to found, as it seems even if he does return he won't be at his best, injuries take their toll, or he won't return for too long. A bit more of a creative edge could also be sought.

Expectations

Abramovich covets the one trophy that has so far eluded him, and that is of course The Champions League. Many a manager have been sacked for failed to secure it, Avram Grant even went despite losing in the final...Due to a slip from Terry. A decent effort in that will need to be had, but that wont be enough. A Premier League title, or push for it, and domestic cup honours will also be sought.

Odds

11/4 (Sky Bet)

Players In

Thibaud Courtois £5m (Genk) Lucas Piazon £5+extras (Sao Paulo - will join in January) Oriol Romeu £4.5m (Chelsea) Romelu Lukaku £18m (Anderlecht) Raul Meireles £12m (Liverpool) Juan Mata £23.5m (Valencia)

Players Out

Michael Mancienne, Gokhan Tore, Slobodan Rajkovic and Jacopo Sala undisclosed (Hamburg) Jack Cork £750,000 (Southampton) Yuri Zhirkov undisclosed (Anzhi Makhachkala) Danny Philliskirk free (Sheffield United) Jan Sebek, Bobby Devyne, Anton Rodgers, Ben Sampayo, Carl Magnay, Michael Woods, Sam Hutchinson (all realeased) Fabio Borini free (Parma) Sam Walker loan (Northampton Town) Jeffrey Bruma Loan (Hamburg) Thibaud Courtois Loan (Atletico Madrid) Tomas Kalas loan (Vitesse Arnhem) Ben Gordon loan (Peterborough United) Ulises Davila loan (Vitesse Arnhem) Patrick van Aanholt loan (Wigan Athletic) Gael Kakuta loan (Bolton Wanderers) Yossi Benayoun loan (Arsenal)

Fernando Torres showing promise for Chelsea

Since his unprecedented £50m move from Anfield to Stamford Bridge, Fernando Torres hasn't exactly set the world alight with sparkling performances. Indeed the sulky stroppy Spaniard who was on display for much of the season in the northwest appears to have travelled to London. As much as we have heard how much happier he is at Chelsea, and how the dressing room is cheerier, on pitch displays haven't reflected this.

It has also been mooted how it has been well over a year since he showed top form for Liverpool, with people also doubting if he would regain that peak he once reached. On Wednesday's evidence though, things are definitely improving. Despite ultimately ending up on the losing end, his movement, link up play and overall desire seemed back. Even if that final yard of pace was still awry.

At Liverpool, and largely for Atletico Madrid, Torres was the main man. For large periods playing as a lone striker, whilst also being the biggest fish in the pond. Chelsea though is different, he is a big fish amongst other big fish. And that lone striker role he thrived under, could be a thing of the past. With a strike force that also contains Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who have performed better of late, it is unlikely Carlo Ancelotti will drop them both on a regular basis.

Against Manchester United he once again caused problems for a defence, at times. Off the ball runs were much better, whilst the quick feet and trickery we are all too used too also seemed back. Add this to a shot off the post, and a header expertly saved by Edwin Van Der Sar and the signs look good.

It was always well wide of the mark to suggest he wouldn't get some form back, but if he improves on this the summit of the scoring charts could await next season. Especially if the planned spending spree at Chelsea goes ahead, service and support could be much better. It was all a matter of adapting, and on last nights display it seems to be going well.

Liverpool's best news for years

Upon hearing the news that Chinese businessman Kenny Huang is interest in buying Liverpool Football Club, it has emerged that there are as many as six offers on the table.

Although it is unknown who the other bidders are apart from Huang, whose bid we are hearing more of on a daily basis.

You don't need me to guide you through the tumultuous period that the club has experienced under Tom Hicks and George Gillet, but hopefully they have now turned a corner.

Huang certainly talks the talk, but then again so did the Americans before they took charge and look what happened there.

It is understood he wants a quick sale in order to give Roy Hodgson funds to spend for the remainder of the transfer window, just the Manchester City two seasons ago.

Although it is hopeful Liverpool will have more than one day to play with, unlike their counterparts from the blue side of Manchester.

In addition to providing funds Huang wants to wipe out the clubs enormous debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as resurrecting the new stadium project in Stanley Park.

With the news that Fernando Torres is more or less staying at the club, it yet be one of the most memorable transfer windows in the clubs history.

A statement has issued a deadline of the end of next week to elect a new buyer, lets just hope the right decision is made this time around.

Fernando Torres - Liverpool's latest transfer saga

It seems to be becoming somewhat of a yearly tradition at Liverpool, for a transfer sags to embroil to the club's summer activities.

In recent times it has been Gareth Barry, which actually stretched on for more than one summer, which we have also seen Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano wanting to leave the club.

None of those arrivals/departures would rock the club in such a way that Torres leaving would though, especially if he were to depart for a fellow Premier League club.

Since his £26.5m move to Anfield from Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard has revelled in a league he was tipped to fail.

The argument that he was too slight of frame to make a success in England was soon put to bed, and he now sits here 116 appearance and 72 goals later.

The Kop has grown to him more and more and despite his growing injury troubles, he is integral to the current rebuilding job that is taking place at Liverpool.

So the news that Manchester City are willing to pay £70m for his services, while some bookmakers have suspended betting of his Anfield exit is to put it mildly unwelcome.

Before this years World Cup the key to his future was believed to be Steven Gerrard, 'if he stays I stay' seeming to be the message.

However that is clearly not the case now, with Roy Hodgson not exactly sounding confident with his comments that Torres has problems with the club.

The 26-year-old has himself stated he would like to play in Italy, while it is no secret he would one day like to go back to his native Spain.

So should he leave this summer, Liverpool fans will be praying it isn't to a Premier League rival.

If that is the case, the Anfield legacy he is fast building could be thrown out of the window in double quick time.