Moving on: 5 Premier League Players in Need of a Change This Summer
Not every player enjoys a happy season. Some struggle with injuries. Some struggle for first team football. Some simply deserve a move to a bigger club. Today, we name 5 Premier League players who should be knocking on their manager’s door asking for a move away this summer.
Davy Klaassen
Seen by many, myself included, as a great signing this summer, Davy Klaassen has been unable to tie down a place in this Everton side. One of seemingly 100 number 10s signed by fellow countryman Ronald Koeman last summer, Klaassen has made only 5 Premier League appearances this season, with all but 1 of those appearances occurring before October. A rumoured loan-move away in January failed to materialise and the former Ajax captain looks to have no future on Merseyside. Perhaps a move to a league with a lower intensity than the Premier League would suit the 25-year-old. Could a return to the Eredivisie or a move to Serie A be on the cards?
Anthony Martial
Few Manchester United players can say they scored on their debut against their arch rivals Liverpool; Martial can say he has. The Frenchman seemed to have had the world at his feet, however, fast forward 2 and a half years and it’s a completely different story for the former Monaco man. So far this season Martial has only completed 90 minutes on 5 separate occasions in the Premier League. Despite this, he has still scored 9 goals and assisted a further 5. At 22, a player of Martial’s quality should now be looking to be one of the first names on the team sheet week in week out. With just over a year left on his contract, Martial will be no short of suitors looking to prise him away from England’s biggest club in a cut-price deal. A move may be best for every party involved.
Luke Shaw
Poor old Luke Shaw. If any Manchester United player has struggled since Jose Mourinho’s arrival, it’s the former Southampton man. Shaw has played 16 times in all competitions this season, with Mourinho favouring both Ashley Young and Matteo Darmian. After making the move from the south coast the then England international was tipped to make the next step in the process of becoming one of the world’s best left backs. Shaw seemed to be finally progressing at Manchester United under Louis van Gaal until suffering a double leg fracture against PSV in the Champions League group stage. Shaw hasn’t been able to string a run of games together since before that injury. Many top English clubs have been linked with Shaw in recent months. A swap deal involving Danny Rose looks to be the likely option, with former manager Mauricio Pochettino perhaps being able to get the best out of Shaw at Tottenham.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge is a shadow of his former self. A former PFA Players’ player and young player of the year nominee, injury problems have seen a 20 goal a season striker turn into a bit part player. Sturridge has struggled to adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s playing style and has spent the second half of this season on-loan at relegation battlers West Brom. Again, injuries have impacted upon the Birmingham born man’s game time, with Sturridge playing just 83 minutes so far for The Baggies. A move away from Liverpool looks certain this summer, with a move to the continent perhaps offering the new start Sturridge desperately needs.
Wilfried Zaha
The only name on this list who doesn’t need to move due to a lack of first team opportunities, Zaha has been one of a few performers in a below average Crystal Palace side. The Ivorian has scored 7 and assisted 4 for Palace this season and the club have yet to win a game without him in the starting 11. Although Zaha may like being the star man at the club where he came through the academy, it is perhaps time that he tries to test himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs again. Zaha will certainly be no short of potential suitors, with fellow London club’s Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal all reportedly interested in giving Zaha a taste of European football for the first time.
