EPL Summer Transfers 2011: The Top 10 Players Who Should Stay Put
It happens every summer. New and emerging talents and players who hit their peaks in the most entertaining league in the world become household names by the end of the season.
These names typically develop from less marketable sides and end up signing lucrative contracts during the transfer window.
Manchester United purchased Antonio Valencia from a lowly Wigan Athletic.
Liverpool pried Glen Johnson out of a struggling Portsmouth side.
Arsenal don't sign players in the EPL.
Chelsea bought Nicolas Anelka from Bolton.
Manchester City tied up James Milner.
Sooner or later, when players from lower clubs begin to develop and emerge as talents, the big boys come in.
There is no doubt that after a season to be regarded as one of uncertainty and inconsistency; a new batch of players have seen their stocks rise significantly.
Often times, lower league clubs cannot hold on to their players when the bigger clubs bait the reel with fame and fortune. As Wu-Tang said, C.R.E.A.M.
Simply put, Cash Rules Everything Around Me.
Here is the list of 10 players whose clubs should try and retain the cream of their crop.
Daniel Sturridge, Bolton
1 of 10
Well done Mr. Sturridge, and hats off to you, Mr. Owen Coyle. After grooming another rough gem into a diamond, you sir, are the new Arsene Wenger. Jack Wilshere has benefited under your tutelage, and now Daniel Sturridge has become the greatest transfer of the new year.
If it's true that Chelsea are going to clear house this summer, Sturridge should remain at the Reebok Stadium. If Chelsea do not clear house this summer, Sturridge should still remain at the Reebok.
A summer clearing in Chelsea's language means the £75 million spent in January is only the start of it. It is not Chelsea's style to buy young and promising players like Manchester United, or Arsenal; rather, Chelsea is somewhat the Real Madrid of the premier league.
There is no indication that Chelsea's transfer policy would change, which means developed and matured talent is likely to be on the drawing board for arriving at Stamford Bridge this summer. This means Sturridge would be welcome back to a Chelsea side, most likely still stuck behind Salomon Kalou in the pecking order again. The lure of playing league cups and reserve matches should prompt Sturridge to reconsider.
An extended loan move for another year would benefit three parties. Chelsea would, in a year's time, have a seasoned goal scorer, who by this time next year would only be 22. Bolton would have another successful campaign with the attack being lead by Sturridge. And obviously, Sturridge himself would benefit by playing, and being a mainstay, in a decent mid-table club.
Adel Taarabt, QPR
2 of 10
In 2008, like every singe young midfielder these days, Moroccan footballer Adel Taarabt was was billed as the next,next,next,next,next..etc "Zinedine Zidane."
Needless to say, yet again, Taarabt was not the next Zizou.
Fat forward two years later, and Taarabt looks like Morcco's closest thing to a cheap version of Zizou. Taarabt has managed to cement his stake and importance in the Championship.
Having lit up the the Championship for Queens Park Rangers, Taarabt has collected the Player of the Year and has had his names linked to Premier League greats Chelsea and Manchester United.
For such a great footballer, Taarabt was apparently never taught that the Earth revolves around the sun; rather, Taarabt is under the assumption the galaxy revolves around his ego. It shouldn't take to long for a Robert Huth, Christopher Samba or Nemanja Vidic to teach Taarabt a lesson in astronomy.
Taarabt may be ready for the next step in his career, and it has most likely gotten to his head already. The young Moroccan might be thinking his style of individualism has him ready to join one of the EPL giants.
However, in a league that is centered around team chemistry and collective efforts, I find it hard to imagine a player of Rooney, Torres or RVP's caliber willing to take a back seat so Taarabt can try and dribble through XI Stoke defenders for 90 minutes.
Taarabt is still only 21 and has a leading role in a newly promoted QPR. The fans are behind him, and the team has adapted to a style that suits the flashy forwards fancy footwork and darting runs. It might be a wiser idea for Taraabt to stay with a club who already supports him as QPR and Taarabt fight for survival in the Premier League.
Charlie Adam, Blackpool
3 of 10
Charlie Adam does have talent that cannot be ignored. The seasider's captain has been the engine in Blackpool's fight for survival. If Blackpool are relegated, Liverpool, among other clubs, will surely come and swoop for the midfielder. If Blackpool stay up, Liverpool and other clubs will still come calling.
I may be one of the few and far between, but had Adam joined another team, he might not have looked as good as he has at Blackpool. I think the best of Adam has been seen, and I think there are other players who can offer clubs like Liverpool more than what Adam can offer.
Adam has great vision and range, but could the 25-year-old nudge out Meireles, Aquilani, Lucas or Gerrard in Liverpool's midfield?
Probably not.
In the case of Adam, he happens to be a decent player on a very sub-par team. He sticks out like a sore thumb. The question is, is he good enough to make a move to the Premier League elite, or is a club like Newcastle, Aston Villa or even Blackpool more on his level?
Moussa Dembele, Fulham
4 of 10
A creative, attacking player with plenty of pace, an eye for goal and a good range of passing, Moussa Dembele has made an impressive start to life at the Cottage.
His speed, movement and ability inside the penalty box have made him a real goal threat. One of the rising stars of Belgian football, he joins Anderlecht’s Romelu Lukaku, Lille’s Eden Hazard and Standard Liege’s Steven Defour are being tipped for a bright future at the top of the game.
When fit, he is always one of the first on the team sheet for Mark Hughes.
Previously linked with Chelsea and Arsenal, Dembele could be on the move after a breakout year with Fulham.
After a successful year, the best thing for Dembele is going to be consistency. The type of consistency that only a improving Fulham side can offer the young attacker.
Depending on how he progresses, this time next year Dembele might be ready for a move to a bigger club.
Gareth Bale, Tottenham
5 of 10
To people of world football, Gareth Bale shot to promise and star status after terrorizing one of the greatest attacking fullbacks, Maicon. To people of the Serie A, Maicon has been getting ripped apart all year. For viewers of the EPL, Bale is a over-hyped pacy winger.
I for one haven't seen any performances from Bale similar to the one against Inter Milan.
Sorry Bale, but you are overrated, a claim that would have stuck had you won the PFA Player of the Year award or not.
Its preposterous to think that less than five months ago, people actually mentioned Bale in the same breath as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Gareth Bale has seen his name linked to every club from Barcelona, to Inter Milan, to Manchester United. Fees up to 60 million have actually been mentioned when regarding this one trick pony.
Stay at Tottenham Bale and accept that all you really are is a speedy winger, who, when confronted by a great right back (as Branislav Ivanovic showed us over the weekend), runs out of steam and becomes a rather anonymous presence for 90 minutes.
Tottenham's kick-and-let-Bale-sprint-on-to-the-ball tactics allow Bale to utilize his potential and maximize his efficiency. I highly doubt that Bale will develop his game to a level where he doesn't only rely on sprinting at full steam at a brick wall of a right back. His pace is undeniable, but that's about the only skill that cannot be denied. While we're at it, same goes to you Theo Walcott.
Bale should soak in the glory of being at an up and coming club and soak up the spotlight until more people realize what Bale really is and finally move on.
Peter Odemwingie, West Brom
6 of 10
At 29 years old, Peter Odemwingie has most likely reached his peak. In all fairness, his peak is quite exceptional. 14 goals so far in his debut season has put this striker on clubs, including Juventus' radar.
Odemwingie is a complete forward. Trickery, pace, an eye for goal and a knack for having the strikers instinct. Watching Odemwingie on the ball for West Brom, one cannot help but have the feeling he is going to do something special.
Thanks to his efforts, WBA sit rather comfortably in the middle of the table.
The fans have taken him in, and Odemwingie has brought promise to a club that often succeeds in failing to meet expectations.
Other mid level clubs have been linked with the player, but if Roy Hodgson can convince Odemwingie to stay and build the club around potential new boy Carlos Vela, nothing is stopping WBA from being a decent mid table club for many years to come, too.
Carlos Tevez, Manchester City
7 of 10
Carlos Tevez is as loyal as a can of beans; a marionette controlled by an agent who is willing to sell his product to the highest bidder, but he really should stay at Manchester City.
A leader at Manchester City, Tevez brings grit and hunger to a side that often lacks any creativity and can be as interesting to watch as reading the TV Guide.
But, Tevez brings excitement to the EPL. He is the type of player that clubs in the EPL should either retain or seek out.
Tevez may have a few screws in his head loose, but I think he has to much to offer and is well suited to the EPL. He has too much talent to head back to Brazil or over to Milan.
Cesc Fabregas, Arselona
8 of 10
Yea, yeah, yeah Barcelona DNA, Smarshalona DNA.
Cesc Fabregas is torn between where he wants to be and where he should be. He is neither here nor there. Hence the reason that Fabregas plays for Arselona, somewhere in the middle.
Cesc Fabregas may be one of the most influential players in the middle of the park, but he knows just as well as everyone else in the world that he will never get into the starting XI. He is not as creative as Iniesta, not as composed as Xavi and not as tough as Busquets, (except when he mistakenly goes for a swim on the pitch) Keita or Mascherano.
If Fabregas cannot deny his Barcelona DNA, he would leave un-missed. Aaron Ramsey has slotted into his position seamlessly, as his performance against Manchester United showed, and Jack Wilshere is one of the brightest emerging world talents.
On the bright side, the $30-40 million could be reinvested into the club.
Bad joke; that's not funny.
Danny Welbeck, Sunderland
9 of 10
Danny Welbeck showed the United faithful some of his talent last year, but this year, United fans will be pleased to know that Manchester United already own this youngster.
Still only 20 years old, Welbeck has cemented his spot in the Sunderland XI. Welbeck has scored goals, chipped in with assists and showcases the type of young talent that Manchester United have on their books.
What will be best for Welbeck, is what's going to be best for his future England attack partner Daniel Sturridge: time.
Welbeck has plenty of playing time to mature at a successful mid-table club and has benefited from gaining immense experience in the EPL. The direction and guidance of former United great Steve Bruce has also played a part in developing Welbeck into a clinical finisher.
With Chicharito bursting onto the scene, and Rooney hitting his peak, next year's strike partnership looks to be all but certain.
Welbeck would be given chances at United, but not similar to what he experiences at Sunderland.
Another year loan would go strides in progressing this youngster before he becomes a world class talent at United.
Ashley Young, Aston Villa
10 of 10
Ashley Young would benefit from a big money move to United or Liverpool, but personally, I think he has everything he needs at Aston Villa.
This season has been very turbulent for Aston Villa, but this side is an an example of team whose league position does not match where their skill level or where they should be.
Aston Villa prior to this season was always a threat. Similar to Tottenham, Villa challenged for the top six spots regularly and gave the big teams a lot to deal with.
The loss of manager Martin O'Neill at the beginning of the season was a serious blow for Villa. Having finished in sixth, Villa was believed to be on the up ad up.
Part of Villa's success comes down to Ashley Young. A great player all around, Young has emerged as an inspirational leader on the pitch.
With the arrival of Darren Bent, the trio of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Young is full of speed, strength and skill.
Young would be well suited for many EPL teams, but if he stays at Villa, Young will have a greater impact and be responsible for bringing Aston Villa back to a position where they deserve to be.
