Premier League: 25 Players Too Good for Their Current Clubs
With Christmas behind us, the races for glory and survival in full swing and the January transfer window looming, we are all a little older and a little wiser as to which teams are under performing and which players are currently big fishes in small ponds.
Not all of the following players may want moves and neither may their clubs, but here's my list of the top 25 players who are too good for their current clubs.
Matt Jarvis
1 of 25
The lively winger has impressed for Wolves with his pace, energy and quality delivery. With Wolves sitting at the foot of the table, he deserves a move away from Molineux, but the chances of him moving before the summer isn't great, as Mick McCarthy will be desperate to keep hold of Jarvis as they attempt to climb the Premier League ladder
True talent level - Stoke
Scott Parker
2 of 25
West Ham's captain, talisman and easily their best player, Scott Parker is beginning to reproduce the form that saw him earn a £10m move to Chelsea in 2004.
He may have had a torrid experience his first time at a big club, but if his current form continues, he may well earn a second chance at an elite club
True talent level - Liverpool
Robert Green
3 of 25
Despite his horror moment in South Africa, Green is still a great keeper and is another West Ham star deserved of a move from Upton Park.
Green is 30, young for a keeper, and could provide a solid base at the back for a better team for years to come.
True talent level - Aston Villa
Matthew Upson
4 of 25
Personally, I believe Upson is hugely overrated; however, he's still too good for West Ham. He started for England at the World Cup in South Africa.
The centre back has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Tottenham, but I'm not willing to go that far.
True talent level - Sunderland
Charles N'Zogbia
5 of 25
The French winger has been around the Premier League for a while; however, he's only 24 and was linked with a move away from Wigan in the summer, and now with his club languishing at the wrong end of the table, the chances of N'Zogbia still being at the DW Stadium at the end of the season are minimal.
N'Zogbia also spent five years at Newcastle before falling out with then manager Joe Kinnear.
True talent level - Newcastle, ironically
James McCarthy
6 of 25
Similarly to N'Zogbia, McCarthy is struggling at Wigan but has bags of potential and a change of scenery could well see that potential fulfilled.
The midfielder is one of many who could be on the way out of Wigan in the summer, if not earlier.
True talent level - Sunderland
Brede Hangeland
7 of 25
The giant Norwegian has impressed greatly since arriving in England a couple of years ago. Hailed for his leadership and strength, Hangeland was quickly linked with moves to bigger clubs.
A reunion with former boss Roy Hodgson could well be on the cards, and if Mark Hughes fails to keep Fulham afloat, then Hangeland will definitely be on his way out of Craven Cottage with a number of teams lining up to sign the 29-year-old.
True talent level - Liverpool
Ashley Young
8 of 25
An incredibly talented winger, Ashley Young can dazzle on both wings and when on song is one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.
A move away from Villa may see Young reach his very best and confirm his status as one of the top wingers in Europe.
True talent level - Tottenham
Gabby Agbonlahor
9 of 25
He's young, fast and talented. Since exploding onto the Premier League scene a few years ago, Agbonlahor has cooled off similarly to Villa with the departures of key players and manager Martin O'Neill.
If the striker does get away from Birmingham, it could well be the spark that gets him back to his highest level.
True talent level - Liverpool
Tim Cahill
10 of 25
Since bursting onto the scene for Millwall in their impressive run to the FA Cup final in 2004, the now Everton midfielder has consistently been one of the best players in the Premier League for the last five years.
Cahill deserves a move away from Mersyside and the struggling Everton for a chance of glory with one of the big name clubs.
True talent level - Manchester United
Tim Howard
11 of 25
The American goalkeeper already has experience at Manchester United and has proved he's worthy of an elite club with his consistent performances over the past few seasons.
As with many goalkeepers, he's too good for his club and deserves an upgrade of scenery
True talent level - Sunderland
Phil Jagielka
12 of 25
Another member of the under performing Everton gang who deserve a move from Mersyside.
Jagielka impressed when arriving in the Premier League with Sheffield United, and once they fell back to Championship, Everton were quick to step in and keep the centre back in the Premier League.
Their faith has certainly paid off, and now Jagielka is one of their most prized possessions and an entity that could may well prove difficult to hold on to.
True talent level - Tottenham
Jack Rodwell
13 of 25
An exiting young talent who's highly rated and sought after in the Premier League, Jack Rodwell is one of those on the list for whom a move may well be upcoming.
There is said to be interest in the midfielder, particularly from Manchester United, and that is a deal that may well be round the corner, even in January
True talent level - Manchester United
Mikel Arteta
14 of 25
The Spanish maestro has been a pillar of consistency with injuries being the only thing holding him back. The passing wizard is worthy of a move away from Goodison Park, and there won't be many teams who aren't interested in the midfielder.
True talent level - Arsenal
Kris Brunt
15 of 25
The winger has impressed greatly since arriving in the Premier League this season with West Bromwich Albion and has one of the best left foots in the Premier League.
If West Brom are unable to keep their fast start up, then the Irishman could well be on his way out of the Hawthorns.
True talent level - Sunderland
Kevin Nolan
16 of 25
The tough, all-round midfielder is a veteran of the Premier League, playing over 250 games in over a decade in the top flight with Bolton and now with Newcastle.
The current skipper on Tyneside continues to impress and would walk into most Premier League starting line ups.
True talent level - Liverpool
Andy Carroll
17 of 25
The long haired striker has been scoring goals for fun since arriving in the top flight, and the target man is now being linked with some of the big name clubs in the Premier League.
He's young, has incredible potential and if he wants to leave, he'll be very difficult to hold on to.
True talent level - Tottenham
Fernando Torres
18 of 25
The Spaniard is yet to hit top form this season but is still too talented for his Liverpool team mates along with Steven Gerrard.
Torres has been linked with a lot of clubs from both the Premier League and La Liga, and if Roy Hodgson can't turn Liverpool around, he may well be on his way to one of this clubs.
True talent level - Chelsea
Matthew Etherington
19 of 25
The Former West Ham winger has stepped up his game since joining Stoke and now has some people questioning whether an England call up is on the cards.
Etherington has exceptional pace and an end product to match and is one of the best wingers in the Premier League at the moment.
True talent level - Bolton
Christopher Samba
20 of 25
One of those on the list who is likely to leave after handing in a transfer request in the wake of Sam Allardyce's unexpected departure from Blackburn.
Samba has grown into the Premier League since arriving from Germany and is now a formidable centre back for any striker to go up against.
True talent level - Sunderland
Charlie Adam
21 of 25
The Blackpool captain has been superb in his first year of Premier League football, and even if Blackpool doesn't survive, it probably won't be his last. However, their chances of survival are good, and Adam is one of the main reasons why they've got off to such a great start in their first year of Premier /League football.
He's one of my favourite players to watch and would deserve a move to a bigger club if that's what he wanted.
True talent level - Newcastle
Darren Bent
22 of 25
The Sunderland front man is one of the deadliest finishers in the Premier League and has flourished since joining the Black Cats from Tottenham a couple of years ago.
Now a consistent international, Bent could well be back at a big club not too far down the line.
True talent level - Arsenal
Jordan Henderson
23 of 25
The youngster is a gifted footballer and has become a mainstay in the Sunderland side. He's already earned an England call up, and if he continues to progress and grow as a footballer, then he may well want to go on to bigger and better things.
True talent level - Tottenham
Gary Cahill
24 of 25
The Bolton defender continues to enhance his reputation at the highest level and has been linked with some big clubs and big price tags.
Now an England international, the 25-year-old is an attractive prospect for any club looking for a quality centre half.
True talent level - Arsenal
Gareth Bale
25 of 25
The Welshman has been sensational this year, both domestically and in Europe and is now one of the best wingers in the world, let alone the Premier League.
Tottenham must be ecstatic to have gotten the youngster for what seems like nothing from Southampton when he was a teenager.
True talent level - Manchester United
