EPL: 4 Players Who Should Have Switched Teams over the Summer

By (Analyst) on September 6, 2012

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When people look back at this summer's transfer window, it will be big-money signings like Hulk, Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie and one or two others that fans will remember. 

While the transfers that did take place were interesting, those that didn't happen are also worth discussing. 

Here is a list of four EPL players who should have switched teams over the summer:

Joe Cole (Liverpool)

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Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Joe Cole had a good loan spell with Lille last season, but is now back with Liverpool. The Englishman played 42 matches for the French side, scoring nine goals with three assists.

Cole decided to not make a move away from Anfield over the summer and will now get limited playing time for the Reds. 

The former Chelsea star has already played five times for Liverpool since his return from Lille (three friendlies, one Europa League, one EPL). However, it is difficult to see Cole making too many starts for Brendan Rodgers' side over the course of the season, especially with the arrival of summer signings Oussama Assaidi and Fabio Borini.

Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

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Clive Mason/Getty Images

Florent Malouda was excluded from Chelsea's Champions League squad on Tuesday. The French winger will now be kicking himself for not forcing his way out of the club over the summer.

Malouda is now 32 years old but remains a quality player. However, with Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Ramires and others ahead of him in manager Roberto Di Matteo's pecking order, there is no future for him at Stamford Bridge.

In January, he will certainly seek a move away from Chelsea. For the time being, he will be sitting on the bench.

Kolo Toure (Manchester City)

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

While his brother Yaya has enjoyed life in Manchester, Kolo Toure has not had the best three years at the club. 

In March 2011, the Ivorian defender was suspended for six months after failing a drug test. While he denied any wrongdoing, his suspension was upheld and allowed Joleon Lescott to take Toure's place at center-back.

Since then, the Englishman and Vincent Kompany have formed a superb partnership in the center of defense.

With the arrivals of Matija Nastasić and Maicon, Kolo Toure will get little playing time this campaign.

David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur)

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Tom Dulat/Getty Images

It seems that Tottenham made a mistake paying £15 million for David Bentley. The English midfielder made his move to White Hart Lane in 2008 but has been sent on loan twice in that time.

Bentley had a good first season for Spurs, when he famously scored a stunning volley against Arsenal, but he has gradually slipped down the pecking order since.

He was loaned out to Birmingham City in 2010 and West Ham in 2011, but failed to establish himself as a regular starter for either team.

It was already difficult for Bentley to get playing time last season, and it will be nearly impossible now that Tottenham brought in Moussa Dembele, Gylfi Sigurðsson and Clint Dempsey.

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