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Gerrard and Ramsey figure on out-of-sorts list

WhoScored.com have examined the Premier League players that have most struggled to replicate their form from last season. Must do better, chaps...

Sometimes the pressure of repeating an impressive season can prove hard to handle for players. It's not uncommon that the standards laid down one year are struggled to be met thereafter.

There are certainly some big names yet to reach the dizzying heights of their 2013/14 pomp.

The one player perhaps most criticised for failing to do so is City's Yaya Toure, who has faced a backlash after a disappointing start to the campaign. While it's clear that the Ivorian is not performing at his imperious best - with his rating from WhoScored.com dropping significantly from 7.56 to 7.14 - there have been more guilty culprits in this regard.

WhoScored.com look at the players whose ratings have suffered the most substantial drop from the Premier League last season. Three Premier League starts is the minimum:

Asmir Begovic (Stoke) - 7.05 to 6.40

Asmir Begovic of Stoke City in action during the pre season friendly match between Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City at Ewood

Perhaps an unexpected name to start us off, but while Stoke have had the sort of start most would have expected, the Potters have struggled for clean sheets compared to recent seasons. Begovic kept nine in 32 appearances last season but has managed just two thus far and just 11 saves, despite conceding 10 goals. To put that into perspective, that's at least six fewer than any other keeper with more than two appearances and 21 fewer than Rob Green.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) - 7.77 to 7.10

After a comparatively slow start to the season Liverpool are represented twice in the top five, with their ageing leader Steven Gerrard first to appear. It should be said that the Reds' skipper has attained a decent rating this season (7.10), but it's still a substantial drop from his performances last year. Gerrard has registered just one assist this season despite starting every league game for the club, having amassed a league high of 13 last season.

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) - 7.45 to 6.72

Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool

While he's shown an improvement in recent performances, perhaps as a reaction to being dropped by Brendan Rodgers, Philippe Coutinho has been unable to carry his blistering pre-season form into the current campaign. Like Gerrard, it's Coutinho's creativity that has dipped most substantially from last season, with an average of just 0.7 key passes per game heralding no assists thus far. Last season he got seven assists from an average of two key passes per game.

Fernandinho (Manchester City) - 7.41 to 6.65

While it's the aforementioned Toure that has come in for criticism for letting his standards slip for Pellegrini's side this season, the form of Fernandinho has been somewhat overlooked. One of a number of players likely to be haunted by his part in Brazil's collapse at the hands of Germany, the midfielder has looked a shadow of his best and fallen out of favour to compatriot Fernando. At this stage in the previous campaign Fernandinho had a rating of 7.41, also his rating come the end of the season too.

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) - 7.75 to 6.86

Aaron Ramsey Arsenal Champions League sending-off

It's fair to say that Aaron Ramsey's slow start to the season has been brushed over by most, with a number of team mates, most notably Mesut Ozil, facing far more criticism. The Welshman has performed nowhere near his surprisingly high standards from the previous campaign, despite netting twice in the league.

He directly contributed to 18 league goals last season (10 goals, 8 assists) but Arsenal are increasingly looking to summer signing Alexis Sanchez to dig themselves out of a hole. At this stage in the previous campaign, having made one more appearance (9), the midfielder's rating from WhoScored.com was a huge 8.12 having already scored 5 goals and registered 4 assists by the end of October.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.

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