10. JUVENTUS FC
It’s surprising to see the finalist of the 2014 Champion’s League campaign at the bottom of the top half of league table!
Juventus, despite having players such as Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba, Carlos Tevez and young striker Morata, it’s struggling to find its winning form this season. Out of 12 matches played till now, they’ve managed to win just 5 of them, drew 3 and lost the rest. And despite of having a strong attacking force, they’ve managed to score just 16 goals! For a club which was seen as an European giant, that’s simply very poor form and come at the 10th place in our countdown.
9. AS MONACO
AS Monaco has given us very good footballers to watch, very recent of them being the Manchester United teenage sensation Anthony Martial (spelled mar-si-all). But despite of having one of the best football training facilities in the world, they aren’t seen as major title contenders for this season, and maybe they have let their fans down because of it. At the 9th position in the league now, in a matter of 13 matches, we’ve seen just 17 goals from them, which is poor for any team, especially in a league such as Ligue 1. Despite of the fact that it has players such as Moutinho, El Shaarawy, Lacina Traore etc, it struggles to find the back of the net.
8. ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa were never a major contender (sorry, that’s the harsh truth) for winning the BPL title since the past decade, but they were at least seen as a major club in the league. Now- they’re at the bottom of the barrel, almost making the fate of being relegated to be permanent. In a matter of 12 matches, they’ve managed to win just one and lost 9 of them! It’s surprising how can the Villa fans even think of spending money to watch a game, which they’re most probably going to get upset watching it (that tells you something about their fan following) and if Villa wants to avoid the fate of finding a completely empty stand in their stadium during a home match, it has to literally work out miracles.
7. MANCHESTER UNITED
Managed by Louis Van Gaal, Manchester United might be in the top 4 this season, but in terms of quality- they have been absolutely zero! Manchester United are lucky to have a fan support as strong as theirs because it becomes almost unbearable to watch their chemistry going on for the entire 90 minutes (now Leicester and Manchester City play a better brand of football). It’s almost as if Van Gaal’s prime intention is to just get 3 points, instead of making sure that the fans are entertained. It’s almost as if Manchester United is managed by Vincente Del Bosque (Spain were a boring team in the World Cup 2010 remember, but still- they managed to win the glory).
6. CHELSEA FC
Pecking at the bottom half of the table is Chelsea this season, and is the biggest surprise yet. Watching Chelsea lose match after match is too painful. It’s almost as if Jose Mourinho had a car accident and got a brain injury, and forgot how he used to win matches. Another theory is that he might be testing Roman Abramovich’s patience and testing if the Russian at all believes on the Portuguese. Nevertheless, Mourinho has the backing of all renowned managers in the world to stick to his philosophy (why wouldn’t they? They’re winning matches against Chelsea easily!) and still, world football pundits think that Jose is going to strike back. But with only half of the season remaining, will Jose even manage for a Champion’s League berth?
5. REAL MADRID
How to make a club like Real Madrid? Well, it’s simple, add billions of dollars into a bank account, form a club, buy only high profile players with a lazy manager and boom- you get Real Madrid. Despite having major names such as James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Benzema and Isco, they haven’t managed to win a single trophy last season, and now they’re at the second in the Liga BBVA. But when you have players, who’s transfer fees together can help eradicate poverty in African nations, you’re expected to win every single match. And if you think you cannot- better don’t waste precious money on players who cannot perform collectively.
4. AS ROMA
AS Roma were one of the best clubs in Serie A, but now- they’re not seen as major title contenders this season. Don’t be deceived by the fact that they’re 2nd in the league now. Roma have bought players like Iturbe, Ashley Cole, Keita but still, when it comes to European glories- they never stand a chance. Even after “downloading” many great players into their squad- they seem to have a hard time to end the Juventus domination of Serie A. Last season- they finished 17 points adrift of Juventus- which is a huge margin for any team that comes second.
3. LIVERPOOL
Liverpool fans always tend to bring the past when someone challenges them about the present- which is perhaps why Liverpool aren’t a top European club anymore. Firing Brendan Rogers, letting Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres go, letting Steven Gerrard retire at someplace else and firing members from the core management led to the downfall of this English “historical” giant football club. Even Leicester City, Southampton and Tottenham can scratch Liverpool and snatch away their candy (not to make these clubs sound inferior). They are, according to us, the 6th most disappointing football club in the world presently.
2. AC MILAN
Arguable one of the biggest footballing giants of Europe is AC Milan, and still, we don’t see them much nowadays making headlines in newspaper (for the good reason). Struggling at the lower top half of the table (in a league such as Serie A might we add), AC Milan has shown yet another unimpressive month regarding their form. Things are going so bad that the state of being desperate is clearly visible now, as AC Milan offer their 16-year old goalkeeper a staggering 1 million pound contract! Gianluigi Donnarumma is their youngest ever senior team goalkeeper now! But will he save the day for Milan? Only if Balotelli finds some other club!
1. NEWCASTLE UNITED
Fighting for their lives to prevent relegation is the St. James Park’s club (or should we say- Sport’s Direct Arena’s Club?). It’s hard to believe that a club with a rich heritage such as Newcastle has to fight against relegation for yet another season! Last season, Newcastle had to fight till the last day to ensure they don’t end up in the last three, and looks like this season is going to be nothing different. They have one of the best facilities in football training and has a solid youth academy as well, but still things seem to be going south for the magpies. Perhaps the club shouldn’t have fired Alan Padrew after all!
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