6 Premier League Players Who Need a Change of Scenery in January
With January more than halfway complete, the winter transfer window is in full swing. But while some Premier League clubs have done their business early, many more deals are likely to follow as the Feb. 1 deadline approaches.
Today, though, instead of looking at the needs of various clubs, we're bringing you a list of players who could use a change of scenery this month. For whatever reason, these Premier League players would benefit from a move to a new club.
Agree with our list? Disagree? Be sure to add your thoughts in the comments section.
Mathieu Debuchy
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When Arsenal signed Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle United in the summer of 2014, the Frenchman was touted as a long-term replacement for Bacary Sagna, who had joined Manchester City after seeing his contract with the Gunners expire.
It turned out Sagna's replacement was already in the squad, and his name wasn't Debuchy. In the season-and-a-half since that time, young Spanish defender Hector Bellerin has emerged as Arsenal's first-choice right-back. Debuchy, meanwhile, has spent an increasing amount of time on the bench.
With UEFA Euro 2016 approaching, Debuchy knows he needs to play much more first-team football if he's to have a shot at making France's squad. His prospects appear bleak at Arsenal, with just two Premier League appearances to his name this season.
"Whatever happens, even if it is to return this summer and then start again, I have to go this winter," Debuchy told French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t the Guardian). "I cannot stay at Arsenal.”
Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen have shown interest in signing him, per the Guardian report.
Andros Townsend
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The past few years have been a roller coaster ride for Andros Townsend. After breaking into Tottenham Hotspur's first team in 2013, the winger received his first call-up to the senior England side in September, making his debut the following month.
More recently, however, he's found himself out of favor at Tottenham under manager Mauricio Pochettino and banished to reserve matches. So far this season, Townsend has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League, and his most recent senior appearance in any competition came against Anderlecht last October in the UEFA Europa League.
All of that strongly suggests a change of scenery would be beneficial for both player and club. Earlier this month, the Daily Mirror's Football Spy claimed that Spurs would use Townsend as "bait" in a potential swap deal with West Bromwich Albion for Saido Berahino. On Monday, the Press Association (h/t Damian Spellman at the Independent) reported that Newcastle United hope to conclude a deal for Townsend as early as this week.
Radamel Falcao
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Not that long ago, Radamel Falcao ranked among the most feared strikers in world football. But the Colombian has not been the same since a knee injury cost him his chance to play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Following a miserable loan spell at Manchester United in 2014-15, Falcao joined Chelsea last summer in another loan deal from Monaco. It hasn't gone well.
In nine Premier League appearances (eight of which have been as a substitute), the Colombian has found the back of the net just once. He hasn't played since Oct. 31, and his most recent injury—a muscle issue in his thigh—is "very serious" according to Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, as reported by ESPN FC's Liam Twomey. Making matters worse, Monaco don't want him back, per Sami Mokbel at the Daily Mail.
"It was a big risk signing Falcao after his season with United," Bleacher Report contributor Garry Hayes tweeted in October. "Arguably just as big a risk as giving a youngster a chance. Would be cheaper."
With each passing day, Hayes' analysis appears more and more spot-on.
Victor Valdes
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Similarly to Radamel Falcao, Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes has seen his career disrupted by injury. As he approached the end of his contract with Barcelona in 2014, Valdes suffered a torn ACL, which effectively ruled him out of action for a year.
Manchester United offered him a lifeline in January 2015, signing the goalkeeper to an 18-month deal (h/t BBC Sport) after he had begun training with the squad the previous autumn.
Since then, he's made only two Premier League appearances with United, both at the tail end of the 2014-15 season. He has not played a league match this term.
Newcastle have tried to sign him on loan, according to Colin Young at the Daily Mirror, but United manager Louis van Gaal reportedly "blocked" the deal.
Why? According Young's report, Van Gaal and Valdes were involved in a "bust-up" earlier this season, with Valdes training alone since the incident.
For Valdes, what once was a lifeline has now turned into a nightmare.
Andrej Kramaric
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Croatia international forward Andrej Kramaric joined Leicester City last January as Nigel Pearson strengthened his squad for the upcoming relegation fight. The Foxes survived, but Pearson parted ways with the club in the summer following an embarrassing incident involving his son and two other players, as detailed by BBC Sport.
Claudio Ranieri took the reins ahead of the current season and guided the club to first place on Christmas Day. Over the course of the season, it's become clear that the Italian doesn't rate Kramaric. Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have emerged as the team's attacking stars.
So, after costing the club a record £9 million, the Croatian has played just twice this season in the Premier League—both times as a substitute. A January move is thus likely, with Hoffenheim a likely loan destination, per Rob Tanner for the Leicester Mercury.
Saido Berahino
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Last summer, West Brom's Saido Berahino made no secret of his desire to leave the Baggies and join Tottenham Hotspur, hitting out at club chairman Jeremy Peace on Twitter after a transfer failed to materialize, per John Percy at the Daily Telegraph.
Despite patching things up with the club, Berahino's situation hasn't really improved. The England international has not started a game since Oct. 31, and a change of scenery might be best for both the player and the club.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has authorized an £18 million bid, according to Sami Mokbel at the Daily Mail, while Jack de Menezes at the Independent reported Chelsea and Tottenham are among the bookmakers' favorites to land the player.
