Now that we’re more than a week into the January transfer window, there are some players who have emerged as having a particular need for a change of scenery. This is by no means an exhaustive list, however, these 7 players are particularly in need of new home grounds.
Demba Ba:
Last summer, the Senegalese international came close to leaving Chelsea, however, a deadline-day loan proposal from Arsene Wenger didn’t come to fruition.
The ex-Newcastle United striker was once a prolific scorer of goals, a player who struck fear into defences across the Premier League. As a Newcastle player, Demba Ba played every single game of the 2012/13 campaign before signing for Chelsea but how things have changed for him since. After making the move to the capital for £7.4 million last January, Ba made just 13 Premier League appearances for The Blues and scored just one goal. At St. James’ Park, the powerful front man had been far more productive, scoring 14 goals in his first 21 games. This season, under ‘The Special One’, Ba’s time on the pitch has been as limited as Mourinho’s humility. With injuries to Nicklas Bendtner and Olivier Giroud, Wenger needs backup, and Ba seems to tick most of the boxes. On the other hand, after featuring in the Champions League against FC Basel, it’s important to remember that the striker is indeed cup-tied for the remainder of this years competition. One would think that a return to Newcastle would be more likely, a club where he is very much loved and appreciated.
Javier Hernandez:
Unfortunately for ‘Chicharito’, the Mexican has played about as much top-flight football as Demba Ba this season. After missing the first two games of the current campaign due to a strained hamstring, he was at an immediate disadvantage straight away. An irrefutably talented footballer, Hernandez has it all — he is pacey, decent in the air, two-footed, clever around the box and possesses a vital aptitude to both create and find space. If given more time on the field, Hernandez could (and probably would) be a productive, possibly even prolific, goalscorer. One would think that a move for Hernandez is as necessary as a move for Ba, and maybe even more so. Reportedly, Spurs are eager to take the Mexican international to White Hart Lane. Definitely worth keeping an eye on, it would be utterly insane of United to let him move in January.
Nikica Jelavic:
It is no fluke that the Croatian’s return to the bench at Goodison Park bench arrived just when Romelu Lukaku started to impress with his powerful performances. Earlier in the season Jelavic found himself hauled off by Roberto Martinez in their 3-2 triumph at Upton Park and has not really featured in Everton’s starting eleven since. In stark contrast, the on-loan Lukaku has scored some vital goals and also provided some beautiful assists. That is not to say that the Croatian international has not been effective for the Toffees. Averaging a goal roughly every 4 games, Jelavic’s goal return was much more impressive at the beginning of his career on Merseyside. In 2012, he impressed us all by scoring 11 goals in his first 16 games under David Moyes. Additionally, last summer, it looked like Jelavic might join Bundesliga outfit Hamburg, but the move never came to fruition. It remains to be seen if he is still wearing the blue of Everton come February.
Juan Mata:
He may be the proud winner of Chelsea’s 2012/13 player of the season, but a new campaign brought a new manager and sadly, under Jose Morinho, Juan Mata hasn’t even been their sub of the season so far this campaign. The Spaniard has been dropped to the bench for a large part of ‘The Special One’s’ second period at Stamford Bridge.
The ex-Valencia man is a truly gifted player, but this campaign has been a complete write off so far for the Spanish magician, a player once central to Chelsea’s attacking style. Arguably the club’s most competent player, that has counted for little under Jose, as the creative midfielder has been limited to just a handful of appearances. Let’s be honest, Mata is far too good to warm a bench in West London, leave that to the likes of Demba Ba and Jon Obi Mikel. Should he demand a move, then Mata will have no lack of suitors. Across the globe, a whole host of clubs and managers both admire and appreciate Mata’s ability. The World Cup winner could and should leave Stamford Bridge, especially if he wishes to help his country retain the trophy in Brazil.
Jermain Defoe:
He may well be Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer in European competitions, but Jermain Defoe has been relegated to the bench for most of this Premier League campaign. Teammates Roberto Soldado and the now re-invigorated Emmanuel Adebayor have ensured that Defoe is very much a last choice striking option. The majority of appearances for Jermain have been in the Europa League, a competition ridiculed by Europe’s more privileged teams, a.k.a. those playing Champions League football. Strongly linked with a move to QPR or the MLS, the 31-year-old striker is far too good to play a distant, back up role at White Hart Lane. Time ticks away very fast in the life of a professional footballer, and with Defoe’s mission to win his first ever trophy looking less and less likely, he may well seek a move away from Spurs.
Thomas Vermaelen:
The impressive, embryonic partnership between Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker has seen Thomas Vermaelen’s responsibilities at Arsenal deteriorate. He may well be The Gunners’ club captain, however, after succumbing to numerous injuries, the Belgian defender’s appearances have been limited, and Vermaelen is now very much a player marginalised, struggling to work his way back into Arsene Wenger’s plans. A classic example of a player who must move soon, especially if he wishes to represent Belgium at the World Cup, which in itself is a tough task when you have Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Lombaerts and company to compete with.
Wilfried Zaha:
Up to now, Wilfried Zaha would have been far better off staying at Crystal Palace and playing regular Premier League football, but how could he say no when Fergie came knocking? However, Fergie is long gone, and the chance of regular action under the reign of David Moyes has been non-existent up to this point. It is sad to think that the highlight of the winger’s United career came against Wigan in the Community Shield, a game in which he was far from exceptional. Undoubtedly, Zaha needs to improve in training if he is to get a regular place in David Moyes’ starting XI. Quite recently, the manager said: “I want Wilf to get used to what happens here. The competition is hard. It is important Wilf gets to see the level of the training here, the level of the players and the quality they have got.”
In short, it was a polite way of saying, ‘to date, he just hasn’t been good enough’. Signed this time last year by United, Zaha went immediately back on loan to Crystal Palace, playing a huge role in the club’s promotion to England’s top tier. There is every chance that he could return to Palace, now managed by Tony Pulis, on loan, a move that would benefit both him, United & Palace, though the United hierarchy have indicated that they would prefer for him not to return to the capital and all of its distractions.
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