15 Premier League Players Who'd Improve in Another League
Poor old Radamel Falcao.
It’s not quite working out for the Colombian at Manchester United, leading many to claim that he’s not suited to the Premier League and the rigours of English football.
He’s only on loan at the club from Monaco, of course, but with Valencia apparently interested in his services, according to this report from the Express, would the former Atletico Madrid forward be better suited to a switch back to La Liga?
He probably would, and he isn’t the only one for whom leaving the Premier League could be a good thing.
Roberto Soldado
1 of 15
Should move to: La Liga
The Tottenham Hotspur nightmare continues for Roberto Soldado, who has seen his once-feared goalscoring prowess completely evaporate since swapping Valencia for north London in 2013.
With Harry Kane scoring goals and Maurico Pochettino usually preferring to play one up front, now really is the time for the Spaniard to head home to La Liga.
Stevan Jovetic
2 of 15
Should move to: Serie A
As if being left out of Manchester City’s Champions League squad wasn’t bad enough, Montenegro’s Stevan Jovetic now has to put up with being the fourth-choice striker at the Etihad Stadium behind Sergio Aguero, Wilfried Bony and Edin Dzeko.
A prolific forward at Fiorentina before injury took hold, Jovetic should probably move back to Serie A to improve, and he is bound to have more than a few suitors in Italy.
Emmanuel Adebayor
3 of 15
Should move to: MLS
As with Soldado, the emergence of Harry Kane at Tottenham has only made the spotlight on Emmanuel Adebayor’s struggles even brighter.
The Togolese has somewhat lost his way and would appear to have irreparably damaged his relationship with a set of supporters who were reluctant to warm to him anyway, so maybe a move to the United States would help him get a few more years out of a flagging career.
Robin van Persie
4 of 15
Should move to: Serie A
Is Robin van Persie’s time at Manchester United coming to an end?
That’s a question plenty of the club’s supporters have pondered during what has been a less than stellar season for the Dutchman despite the presence of compatriot Louis van Gaal, and as his pace fades, maybe a switch to Italy would keep him at the high level he clearly craves?
Moussa Sissoko
5 of 15
Should move to: Ligue 1
Probably Newcastle United’s best player, midfielder Moussa Sissoko has already trodden on that well-worn path between Ligue 1 and Tyneside, but is it time for him to go back?
A switch to a club such as Paris Saint-Germain could act as a step up in the career of a player who promises much but is in danger of stagnating at Newcastle, who would likely demand big money for any transfer.
Tim Howard
6 of 15
Should move to: MLS
Is it time for Tim Howard to head home? The U.S. goalkeeper has had a fantastic career in the Premier League, but this has hardly been a stellar season between the sticks for Everton, who could do with a few new players in the new campaign following the disappointment of this one.
Howard would be welcomed back home like a hero and would be yet another boost for a league that continues to receive them.
Mauro Zarate
7 of 15
Should move to: Serie A
The Premier League hasn’t exactly been kind to Mauro Zarate just yet, with the Argentinian barely getting a look-in at West Ham United and then turning up on loan at Queens Park Rangers, only to immediately see Harry Redknapp leave the club.
With his time at Lazio proving to be by far his best spell in Europe and still at the age of just 27, perhaps a switch back to Italy at the end of the season would do him good.
Emanuele Giaccherini
8 of 15
Should move to: Serie A
A winner of 21 Italy caps and highly thought of by many before making what was seen as a surprise move to Sunderland, winger Emanuele Giaccherini hasn’t quite set the Premier League on fire during his time on Wearside.
It could be time, then, for the 29-year-old to move back to his mother country and revive a domestic career that saw him start impressively at Cesena and go on to play for Juventus for two seasons.
Kevin Nolan
9 of 15
Should move to: The Championship
West Ham have had a very good season, but one of the recurring criticisms from their fans is the form of captain Kevin Nolan, who has largely disappointed.
No longer the goal threat he once was, it could now be time for the skipper to step down to the Championship and enjoy the last couple of years of his career at a lower level.
Gaston Ramirez
10 of 15
Should move to: Serie A
Considered to be something of a coup for Southampton when he arrived at the club from Bologna in 2012, Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez has done very little to convince anyone that his long-term future lies in the Premier League.
Currently on loan with Hull City—where he is hardly pulling up any trees—the 24-year-old is young enough to earn a move to one of the leading Serie A clubs, and his agent should probably take notice of that.
Glen Johnson
11 of 15
Should move to: Serie A
Liverpool’s change in formation and the form of some of their players means that it has become difficult for Glen Johnson to get game time in Brendan Rodgers’ side as they chase a Champions League place.
Add that to the fact the England defender is close to the end of his contract and looking set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season and you have something of a stalemate. Therefore, following Ashley Cole’s lead and moving to Italy could appeal to the 30-year-old.
Sebastian Coates
12 of 15
Should move to: Serie A
On loan at Sunderland from Liverpool, Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates has seen a once promising career come unstuck due to a serious knee injury and now less than guaranteed game time on Wearside, but his suitability to the Premier League also has to be called into question.
Not the quickest, Coates would appear to have all of the attributes needed to succeed in Italy’s Serie A, where his strength and size could make him a success.
Bafetimbi Gomis
13 of 15
Should move to: Ligue 1
Although now given more of a shot at the first team following the departure of Wilfried Bony, it still hasn’t quite worked out at Swansea City for Bafetimbi Gomis.
Once a feared forward at Lyon, it would be no surprise to see the France international head back to his homeland at the end of the season.
Mathieu Flamini
14 of 15
Should move to: Ligue 1
After starting his second spell at Arsenal pretty impressively, Mathieu Flamini has now somewhat faded from view in Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal team, only emerging to occasionally pick up a needless booking.
With central midfield surely an area that Wenger will focus on improving in the close season, perhaps a move back to France would suit Flamini, who would be welcomed back at former club Marseille.
Radamel Falcao
15 of 15
Should move to: La Liga
We’ll finish with whom we started, and a player for whom injury has sadly ruined his once-prolific powers.
Radamel Falcao used to be one of the very best forwards in the game, and he might get back there again, but with Manchester United required to pay huge money to keep him at the club beyond the end of the season, a move away could be best for all parties, and Spain would be the most obvious destination for the player.
