30 Footballers in Desperate Need of a Change of Scenery Right Now
Here are 30 footballers in desperate need of change of scenery which could help reboot their careers.
The 30 footballers will be subjectively ranked via a combination of several standards:
- Current ability.
- Potential ability.
- Transfer value.
- Panic meter level in terms of needing a transfer away.
Honourable Mentions
- Neal Maupay, Nice's French CF, Age: 18.
- Bard Finne, Koln's Norwegian CF, Age: 19.
- Wang Shangyuan, Club Brugge's Chinese CAM, Age: 21.
- Eli Babalj, AZ's Australian CF, Age: 22.
- Ivan Franjic, Torpedo Moscow's Australian RB/LB, Age: 27.
30. Kwame Yeboah
1 of 30
Borussia Monchengladbach's Australian substitute Kwame Yeboah, 20, is lost in the shuffle.
Despite being a super-sub at Brisbane Roar, Borussia Monchengladbach gambled on his freakish athleticism and his ability to conjure up spectacular moments.
Yeboah is a case of moving to Europe for the sake of doing so.
He should have established himself in Australia before moving abroad.
If Kerem Bulut—the Ravel Morrison of Australian football—can get another chance in the Australian A-League than so should Yeboah.
29. Isaac Success
2 of 30
Granada's Nigerian centre-forward Isaac Success, 19, has looked out of his depth.
He runs without any purpose, he does not have a plan of what to do when he is in possession and drifts out of games.
He is still a teenager, so perhaps he needs to step down a level and gain some confidence before giving La Liga another shot.
He has scored one goal from 639 minutes so far this season.
28. Jean Deza
3 of 30
Montpellier's Peruvian right/left attacking midfielder Jean Deza, 21, has played in France, Slovakia and Peru in the last three years.
A quick and tricky midfielder, Deza has watched on—presumably with vexation—as Montpellier are easing 18-year-old Anthony Ribelin into French Ligue 1 football.
| Ligue 1 2014-15 | Anthony Ribelin | Jean Deza |
| Minutes Played | 51 | 13 |
| Minutes Per Game | 8.5 | 6.5 |
Deza may feel he could have scored or created a goal in the minutes allocated to Ribelin, which may have led to an extended starting run.
27. Douglas Pereira
4 of 30
Barcelona's Brazilian right-back Douglas Pereira, 24, was an odd signing.
He is injury-prone, he was a liability against Malaga and his transfer has aroused so much suspicion that it is affecting him.
It has gotten to the point where he has had to consult Xavi for advice.
"I have told [Douglas] to be calm," Xavi said, per Javier Miguel at Sport. "Be the same [and] not to take in what people say about him from outside."
Douglas' Barcelona career will probably emulate ex-Barcelona defender Henrique Adriano: a series of loans.
26. Simone Pepe
5 of 30
Juventus' Italian right-forward/right-wing-back Simone Pepe, 31, recently joked about his long spells of inactivity.
"The last time I played, there were still video cassettes," Pepe said, per RAI (h/t Ben Gladwell at ESPN FC). "I would play in goal just to play. I'm a bit small, but I could do it. Joking aside, I could play either full-back or wide, wherever the coach needs me."
Pepe has been a handy player, but Juventus need to move on and he should consider alternative career destinations.
What about Major League Soccer?
25. Mustafa Amini
6 of 30
Borussia Dortmund's Australian central midfielder Mustafa Amini, 21, is approaching four years at the Westfalenstadion and has still not started in the German Bundesliga.
Even with Borussia Dortmund in the relegation zone, Amini still is not getting a look in.
You can't help but feel Amini would have been better served playing in the Dutch Eredivisie or Belgian Pro League.
However, Amini insists being in the Borussia Dortmund system has helped him grow as a footballer.
"Everybody thinks, 'ah he's only playing in Dortmund's second team in Germany's third tier' and maybe they shrug their shoulders," Amini said, per David Lewis at SBS. "[But] I have played 11 games straight for [Borussia Dortmund II]. I am playing 90 minutes and I am fit and firing."
A high IQ footballer with excellent passing range, Amini should be a starter on a team in a mid-tier European league, as opposed to grafting away in the German 3. Liga.
24. Chris Wood
7 of 30
Leicester City's New Zealand centre-forward Chris Wood, 23, is at a career crossroads.
He failed to make the grade at West Bromwich Albion and has only appeared in 107 minutes of Premier League play for Leicester City this season.
Wood needs to think about post-Leicester City after the club signed Andrej Kramaric from Rijeka for £9.7 million.
23. Josip Radosevic
8 of 30
Napoli's Croatian defensive midfielder Josip Radosevic, 20, is the forgotten man in Naples.
He went from being slowly eased into Serie A (115 minutes last season) to hardly even playing this season (six minutes).
He desperately needs a loan, maybe to a Serie B team.
22. Joshua Brillante
9 of 30
Fiorentina's Australian utility player Joshua Brillante, 21, has been mistreated by management.
Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella is a coach with immense potential, but he probably would take back substituting Brillante 35 minutes into a game against Roma, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
Montella effectively destroyed Brillante's confidence and it is harsh management for a player trying to make the grade in Serie A.
Since then, Brillante has played four minutes, which suggests Montella does not rate the Australian international.
Brillante is a diligent, hard-working and team-first footballer, who can thrive if he moves to a team that will give him time to develop.
21. Omar Abdulrahman
10 of 30
Al Ain's United Arab Emirates central/right attacking midfielder Omar Abdulrahman, 23, should test himself and move to Europe.
He is a genius with a wand of a left-foot.
He routinely creates scoring chances for his teammates and can walk past opposing defenders with his precise dribbling and quick feet.
20. Leroy Sane
11 of 30
Schalke's German deep-lying forward Leroy Sane, 19, can play multiple positions and has been lively in the UEFA Youth League.
Sure, his scoring record in the UEFA Youth League is not Dominic Solanke-great, but Sane has shown positive attributes.
He has a quick first step, he can make big plays and is a willing passer.
Sane needs to be loaned out since he is just a squad member at Schalke, having played 55 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
19. Vladlen Yurchenko
12 of 30
Bayer Leverkusen's Ukrainian central attacking midfielder Vladlen Yurchenko, 20, has only played 45 minutes in the Bundesliga this year.
He had several bright moments in the Florida Cup, whether it was contributing to passing plays against Fluminense, or being a goal-threat against Corinthians.
Yurchenko should be loaned out in order to receive regular playing time.
18. Caio Rangel
13 of 30
Cagliari's Brazilian right-forward Caio Rangel, 19, has yet to start in Serie A.
Part of Brazil's dangerous four-pronged attack—Nathan, Mosquito and Gabriel Boschilia—at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup, Caio can be a trump card for Cagliari.
Though, he is not going to have a meaningful impact if he averages 16.8 minutes per Serie A game.
If he is not managed properly, he could have a fruitless career in Italy like another Caio—Caio Ribeiro.
17. Ali Adnan Kadhim
14 of 30
Caykur Rizespor's Iraqi left-back/left-winger Ali Adnan Kadhim, 21, is one of the top Asian footballing prospects.
Unlike the archetypal Iraqi footballer—low centre of gravity, skilful and overly reliant on finesse play—Kadhim combines physical prowess with technical excellence.
He has been monitored closely since he was named a key player by the FIFA technical study at the FIFA U20 World Cup, per FIFA.com: "Tireless and competitive left-sided defender with the ability to launch attacks and make dangerous crosses."
16. Tom Ince
15 of 30
Hull City's English right/left-winger Tom Ince, 22, has experienced a roller coaster of emotions.
He went from being an Inter Milan transfer target to playing for Nottingham Forest on loan.
Back at Hull City, Ince has spent some games as an observer starting and finishing the match on the bench.
Whenever Hull City play wing-backs, Ince is a misfit in the system.
15. Raul Jimenez
16 of 30
Atletico Madrid's Mexican centre-forward Raul Jimenez, 23, was the biggest loser when Fernando Torres came home.
It effectively ended Jimenez's chances of becoming a starter under Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
Like when Atletico Madrid first signed Diego Costa, Jimenez is still a project, so a loan is on the cards.
He is raw, but he has the qualities to potentially become a serviceable No. 9 in European top-flight football.
He has the physical tangibles, has a good first-touch and has been enthusiastic in his attempts to make the grade at Atletico Madrid.
14. Alvaro Medran
17 of 30
Real Madrid's Spanish central midfielder Alvaro Medran, 20, has made a small impression in limited minutes.
He completed several nice passes throughout his cameo appearances and scored as an impact sub against Ludogorets Razgrad.
The fact Medran has even featured in 24 minutes combined La Liga and UEFA Champions League play tells you he is a quality midfielder.
Sure, he might not be starting material at Real Madrid, but he could be for a mid-tier La Liga team.
13. Salih Ucan
18 of 30
Fenerbahce's Roma loanee Salih Ucan, 21, has made a bad first impression.
He has only played one minute in Serie A and Roma need to decide if he is worth an €11 million transfer fee.
Right now, it's a big no.
Though, there is potential, hence why he was selected by the FIFA technical study group as a key player at the FIFA U20 World Cup, per FIFA.com: "Dynamic central midfielder with good technique and passing skills."
12. Emiliano Martinez
19 of 30
Arsenal's Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 22, has gone from bolting into the starting XI to now back to being third-choice.
Behind David Ospina and Wojciech Szczesny, Martinez needs to consolidate his future.
Sitting and watching is not going to further his development.
11. Jason Davidson
20 of 30
West Bromwich Albion's Australian left-back Jason Davidson, 23, is good enough to play in the Premier League.
Davidson is an energetic, committed and all-round full-back.
But he has endured a difficult start at West Bromwich Albion being the third-choice left-back.
Behind Sebastien Pocognoli and Chris Baird, Davidson needs to start thinking about finding a club that will give him regular starts.
10. Florian Jozefzoon
21 of 30
PSV Eindhoven's Dutch left/right-forward Florian Jozefzoon, 23, is a rotation player.
He is an occasional starter but used more off the bench.
Jozefzoon has rapid acceleration and routinely takes on opposing defenders.
Though, he could be the main man on a mid-tier/bottom-tier Eredivisie team, which may enhance his career.
9. Luca Caldirola
22 of 30
Werder Bremen's Italian centre-back Luca Caldirola, 23, has been a liability.
He only completes 53.3 percent of his tackles and has the second worst Kicker (in German) rating for a Werder Bremen player.
He could be another Andrea Barzagli: a flop in Germany, but a success post-Bundesliga.
8. Mohamed Salah
23 of 30
Chelsea's Egyptian right/left attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah, 22, is a glorified squad-filler.
It is a testament to how deep Chelsea's squad depth is that Salah, a dynamic and fast footballer, is not even a regular super-sub, let alone a starter.
Salah has only played 30 minutes in the Premier League this season.
7. Christian Atsu
24 of 30
Chelsea's Ghanaian right/left attacking midfielder Christian Atsu, 23, has been nondescript on loan at Everton.
He has only played 70 minutes in the Premier League this season, so it is pointless to keep him at Everton.
Chelsea need to re-assign Atsu to a team that will appreciate his pace and incisive dribbling.
6. Iago Aspas
25 of 30
Liverpool's Sevilla loanee Iago Aspas, 27, is the least of the Reds' problems.
That is why Liverpool probably don't even care Aspas has only played 89 minutes in La Liga.
From one of the best players in Spain to a squad player at Sevilla—talk about a fall from grace. Liverpool need to recall him and loan him to a team that will give him regular playing time.
5. Doria
26 of 30
Marseille's Brazilian centre-back Doria, 20, has been discarded without even being given a chance to showcase his talent.
What a waste of €10 million.
Doria was never a signing Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa wanted.
"I found out about the Doria signing on Monday afternoon when he was arriving for his medical," Bielsa said, per Hamish Mackay at the Daily Mail. "I opposed it."
4. Jose Pozo
27 of 30
Manchester City's Spanish deep-lying forward Jose Pozo, 18, has experienced first-team football this season.
This shows you how highly-rated he is to Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Pozo should be loaned out like other Manchester City prospects:
3. Mitchell Weiser
28 of 30
Bayern Munich's German right-winger/right-back Mitchell Weiser, 20, has the characteristics to be a successful footballer in the Bundesliga.
He is speedy, able to penetrate opposing defences and can finish with either feet.
It was a nice gesture from Thomas Muller to race through on goal and then play in a wide-open Weiser during a 4-1 friendly win against the Qatar Stars.
Sure, it is a meaningless match, but it would have given Weiser, who has been a bystander for most of his Bayern Munich career, a temporary confidence boost.
That was evident because he later cut in from the right and finished with his left.
2. Ravel Morrison
29 of 30
West Ham United's English central attacking midfielder Ravel Morrison, 21, has become a disreputable outcast at another club.
This is why his agent Barry Silkman is drumming up hype in Morrison; a troubled prospect.
"Wherever [Morrison] goes is his last chance. Ravel could get into Arsenal's team tomorrow. His ability is unbelievable, he is fantastic," Silkman said, per Billy Denny at talkSPORT. "Whoever gets Ravel now will get the best deal that's been done this century in football."
Able to skip past opposing defenders with minimal effort, Morrison is one of the most gifted footballers of his generation.
He needs to get his act together.
1. Adnan Januzaj
30 of 30
Manchester United's Belgian right/left-winger Adnan Januzaj, 19, should be kept as a super-sub.
But, he is a square peg in a round hole when Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal uses wing-backs, which opens up the possibility of being loaned out.
Januzaj has only started 36.4 percent of Premier League games he has been involved in this season.
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.
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