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.

All this needless flirting!

Is there anyone else out what thinks a final decision should be made about the sale of Cesc Fabregas?

I understand some people may point to the fact there has been other transfer sagas that have gone on for longer, think Gareth Barry and Cristiano Ronaldo, but this eclipses them all.

In the other two cases neither player made such a statement to the leave the club, although i know they both stated publicly on a few occasions.

But Fabregas seems to be stating it weekly, with a debatable plea to stay at Arsenal made a few weeks ago seemingly throwing his desires into disarray.

The fact is he has grown up a Barcelona fan, I presume you knew the other club in question, and it is inevitable he will leave to go back to Catalonia.

He is a self confessed fan of the Spanish Champions, constantly wishing them to do well and no doubt deep down wishing he was there himself.

Arsenal's, or Arsene Wenger's, refusal to invest heavily in the transfer market has no doubt sealed his fate.

The years of no success could be too much to handle for the youngster, despite his love of London and the Emirates based side.

It is at times unbelievable to believe that Fabregas is just 23 years of age, after so many years of being the lynchpin in the Gunners side.

But this incessnant flirting needs to come to an end sooner rather than later.

The constant public desires to stay far outnumber the one he made to stay at the club, while the latest debacle at the Spanish World Cup celebrations should be the final nail in the coffin.

'Forced' to don a Barcelona shirt, Liverpool 'keeper Pepe Reina (another ex-Barcelona player) then hailed him "the future of Barcelona".

These fluttering eye lashes aren't just all one way, as Arsenal seem to be kidding themselves into believing.

If sold now it would benefit both sides.

Barcelona would be getting the player they consider one of there own, after growing up in the much lauded Barca academy.

While Arsenal would have plenty of cash to re-invest in a squad that looks some way off the pace.

I know selling the best player would be largely criticised, however look what happened after the sale of Theirry Henry.

If Wenger could work that magic again, while splashing the cash Arsenal could find themselves in with a very real shout of the Premiership title.