Football is a team sport, but sometimes, a single player carries too much responsibility for their team’s success.
While this is common among smaller clubs, we see it happening even in top teams. Here are seven players currently shouldering an overwhelming burden at their respective clubs.
1. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Chelsea looks like a completely different team when Cole Palmer doesn’t play. He is their main source of goals, assists, and chance creation, leading every major attacking metric. While he handles this responsibility well, it raises concerns about what might happen if he suffers a lengthy injury.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Barcelona’s dependency on Lamine Yamal is evident in their La Liga performances. Every time he hasn’t started a match this season, they have dropped points. He connects the midfield and attack, enabling the team’s fluidity. Despite being just 17 years old, Yamal consistently leads in dribbles, chances created, and duels won, proving his immense importance to the squad.
3. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool is one of the best teams in the world, but they still rely heavily on Salah. When he plays well, victories come easily. When he struggles, matches become significantly tougher. His role in both scoring and assisting has been crucial to Liverpool’s success, evident in games like their 6-3 victory over Spurs, where he contributed to four goals.
4. Amad Diallo (Manchester United)
Despite United’s struggles, Amad Diallo has been a shining light. He has single-handedly won multiple games, including a stunning late comeback in the Manchester Derby. His performances raise questions about why he wasn’t given more opportunities earlier. Even in losses, he is often the only player trying to make things happen.
5. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
While Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s star, Gabriel has been carrying the most burden recently. Not only has he led the defense, but he has also contributed to six goals this season, scoring in crucial matches against Spurs, City, and Sporting. With key defensive partners frequently injured, Gabriel has had to adapt constantly while maintaining a high level of performance.
6. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Isak is Newcastle’s lifeline. His ability to score directly impacts the team’s results. During an eight-game scoring streak, Newcastle lost just once. However, whenever he fails to score, the team struggles, as seen in defeats to Brighton, West Ham, and Bournemouth. Without him, Newcastle lacks a reliable offensive threat.
7. Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
Pulisic has been a vital part of Milan’s attack, playing in multiple positions due to the team’s lack of depth. He is the club’s top scorer and assist provider, playing a crucial role in their top-four push. His absence is felt heavily, with Milan winning just one of the four league games he has missed. He has also stepped up in big games, scoring against Juventus, Inter, and Liverpool.
Conclusion
While football is a team game, these players have been forced to carry more than their fair share of the load. Their clubs rely heavily on them, and their absence or poor performances often lead to struggles.
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