5 teams whose captains have underperformed this season
The importance of the role of a captain in any team cannot be overlooked. A side can have extremely talented individuals on their payroll, but until and unless they uncompromisingly commit to a common cause, all that could amount to nothing.
A team captain doesn't always need to be the best player in the side. A captain has to be someone who can get through to his players, rally them together and be a role model both on and off the pitch. But things can get a little awkward every once in a while when the leader underperforms.
It is difficult to inspire those around you when you are low on confidence and aren't doing too well yourself. This will ultimately be reflected in the team's performances. On that note, let's take a look at five teams whose captains have underperformed this term.
#5 Barcelona - Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique
Barcelona are finally steadying their ship under Xavi Hernandez this season. They're currently unbeaten in their last eight games across all competitions. After their initial struggles in the ongoing campaign, the Catalans have climbed back to third in the table.
The improvement in results has plenty to do with the upturn in form of two of their captains, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique since the turn of the year.
But Barcelona will still need to majorly revamp their squad this summer. Both their captains Busquets and Pique are in the twilight of their careers and are nowhere near as quick as they used to be. But despite being 33-years-old, Busuqets has done a decent job this campaign.
Pique, who is another captain and is a dressing room leader, turned in multiple underwhelming performances in the first half of the season. But his form has picked up considerably under new manager Xavi Hernandez.
Gerard Pique, in particular, seems to have turned a leaf, since Xavi’s appointment. He has been brilliant, it’s really as simple as that.
Going into the back end of the season, it’s impossible to overstate the significance of a solid, dependable CB pairing. Very positive signs!
#4 Atletico Madrid - Koke and Jan Oblak
Reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid were expected to dominate the league this season. However, the Rojiblancos have been uncharacteristically inconsistent and some of their most dependable players have let them down this term.
This includes their captains Koke and Jan Oblak. Koke has consistently delivered bang-average performances this season. There is an argument that Atletico Madrid have played better in his absence and that is very uncharacteristic of the Spanish central midfielder.
Jan Oblak was widely considered to be the best goalkeeper in the business until last season. However, he has had a very underwhelming campaign this time around. Oblak has conceded 47 goals in 36 games and has been able to keep just 10 clean sheets.
The 29-year-old had the second-best save percentage (80%) in La Liga last term. This season, he is the La Liga goalkeeper with lowest save percentage (55.2%).
One of Atlético’s biggest priorities this summer should be selling Jan Oblak and replacing him with a younger goalkeeper. LuÃs Maximiano would be my choice.
Issue is, not too many teams will take a shot on Oblak in this kind of form. Juventus?