5 Premier League players who revived their careers after a rough spell

Last Updated on 21 November 2025

Not every football journey follows a smooth, upward trajectory. Some players burst onto the scene only to fade away. Others struggle with injuries, poor form, or the wrong managerial fit.

But the Premier League has been at the helm of producing remarkable comeback stories, too. Players who looked down and out, only to rise again and reclaim their place among the elite.

Here are five Premier League stars who managed to revive their careers after rough spells.

5 – Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) – Misfit to mainstay

When Marc Cucurella joined Chelsea in 2022 for a massive fee, expectations were sky-high. Instead, he became the poster boy for the club’s turbulent rebuild. Inconsistent performances, constant system changes, and a fanbase unsure of what he actually offered.

Fast forward to 2025, and Cucurella has turned the narrative on its head. Under a more stable defensive structure, his energy, defensive sharpness, and ability to progress the ball have made him one of Chelsea’s most reliable performers.

He’s gone from Twitter punchline to an automatic starter, reminding everyone of the talent Brighton fans once adored.

4 – Joelinton (Newcastle United) – Misprofiled to destroyer

When Joelinton arrived at Newcastle United for a then club-record fee in 2019, he was signed as the solution to their long-standing goalscoring problems. The result? A disaster.

Playing as a lone striker, he managed a paltry two league goals in his first season, as per Transfermarkt. He was heavily criticised, branded a colossal transfer flop, and looked physically and mentally incapable of handling the pressure of the Premier League.

And then, Eddie Howe turned him into a midfielder. This positional change unlocked his latent potential. He transformed into an aggressive, ball-winning engine, a midfield destroyer with surprising skill and endless stamina.

3 – Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) – Fallen leader to resurgence in Wearside

Granit Xhaka’s first Premier League chapter at Arsenal ended in a toxic low. After years of inconsistent performances and fan frustration, the boiling point arrived in 2019.

He reacted angrily to supporters booing him off the pitch, resulting in him being stripped of the club captaincy.

The Swiss star revived his career in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, winning the title ahead of a star-studded Bayern Munich side. Despite being a revered figure in Germany, Xhaka decided to return to the Premier League to captain newly promoted side, Sunderland.

That goes to show the type of character Xhaka is. The veteran midfielder has used his experience and renewed confidence to lead the Black Cats’ charge in the top flight, completing a unique comeback story.

2 – Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – Misfiring to system leader

Kai Havertz arrived at Chelsea with the burden of a massive transfer fee and the expectation of becoming an instant superstar.

While he scored the winning goal in a Champions League final, his overall Chelsea tenure was defined by inconsistency, ambiguity regarding his best position, and heavy criticism from the media and a section of the fanbase.

And then, neighbours Arsenal came knocking. After another slow start, Havertz has been used as an advanced, unconventional centre-forward. This move has been a resounding success, to say the least.

He is now consistently showcasing the talent that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after youngsters.

1 – Scott McTominay (Napoli) – Manchester United reject to Napoli legend

Scott McTominay was often a polarizing figure at Manchester United. Throughout multiple managerial changes, he endured periods where he was viewed as a reliable but limited squad player.

Eventually, United let him go with Napoli signing the Scotsman for a fee under £30 million. Nobody knew what to expect and nobody could have predicted what followed.

In just over a year of being in Napoli, McTominay has murals all over the city. Restaurants have food items named after him and he is a hero in that city. McTominay has redefined his career by becoming Napoli’s quintessential clutch performer.

For his brilliant debut campaign, the 28-year-old won the Serie A Player of the Year after helping Napoli win a fourth Serie A title.