5 Players I feel need to make a move this summer to increase their playing time and their importance to a team;
Shay Given (Manchester City)
When you come to the end of a season, do the maths, and you've played more than twice as many games for your country as your club, it should be time to move on. I couldn't believe that he chose to sit on the bench for a season and just get an opportunity at international level. Given is not the world-class goalkeeper in my opinion and Joe Hart deservedly received the number one spot, but he is far too talented to be sat on a bench at the age of 35. Given can probably perform at the highest level for another two-three years - and by 'highest level' I mean in a top league. Reports have shown that there is a sneaky suspicion he may be making the leap to Aston Villa or West Brom should they come calling. The wages may be lower but at least he'll get to use his gloves between international commitments.
Salomon Kalou (Chelsea)
"It's been difficult watching from the sidelines these past few weeks. If an opportunity doesn't come, that's when you sit down at the end of the season and think about it," said Chelsea's 'super sub' substitute Salomon Kalou in March. As he went on to start five of the Blues' final 14 games of the season, I think it's safe to say that the opportunity never really came for Kalou. And this is by no means a new story. In the five uneventful years at Stamford Bridge, Kalou has rarely been first choice for longer than five minutes and has been forced to play third, fourth or fifth fiddle even while Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres and Florent Malouda have been out on the pitch doing averagely. Last season he scored 13 goals - his highest tally in English football - and yet there's a very good chance he will drop even further down the pecking order. Get out now son!
"It's been difficult watching from the sidelines these past few weeks. If an opportunity doesn't come, that's when you sit down at the end of the season and think about it," said Chelsea's 'super sub' substitute Salomon Kalou in March. As he went on to start five of the Blues' final 14 games of the season, I think it's safe to say that the opportunity never really came for Kalou. And this is by no means a new story. In the five uneventful years at Stamford Bridge, Kalou has rarely been first choice for longer than five minutes and has been forced to play third, fourth or fifth fiddle even while Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres and Florent Malouda have been out on the pitch doing averagely. Last season he scored 13 goals - his highest tally in English football - and yet there's a very good chance he will drop even further down the pecking order. Get out now son!
Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City)
According to recent reports, Onuoha will snub a £6m move to Sunderland this summer because he wants one more crack at making the grade at Manchester City. You can't help thinking it's about time he took the hint. Sent out on loan because he was behind Micah Richards, Jerome Boateng and Pablo Zabaleta at right-back and also behind Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Dedryck Boyata at centre-half last season, what are the chances that he will get more football with City set to strengthen again ahead of their maiden Champions League campaign? Personally I think he is a top defender with genuine pace and a good ability to read the game, would be a benefit to the majority of defences around the country.
According to recent reports, Onuoha will snub a £6m move to Sunderland this summer because he wants one more crack at making the grade at Manchester City. You can't help thinking it's about time he took the hint. Sent out on loan because he was behind Micah Richards, Jerome Boateng and Pablo Zabaleta at right-back and also behind Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Dedryck Boyata at centre-half last season, what are the chances that he will get more football with City set to strengthen again ahead of their maiden Champions League campaign? Personally I think he is a top defender with genuine pace and a good ability to read the game, would be a benefit to the majority of defences around the country.
Jonny Evans (Manchester United)
Being fourth-choice centre-half at Manchester United - and winning a Premier League winner's medal - may well have been enough for Jonny Evans last season. But being a distant fifth-choice centre-half when the third and fourth picks are young, English and already forming a partnership at international level, should not be enough for Jonny Evans next season. The Northern Irishman has gone backwards and the £16m-plus purchase of Phil Jones was a clear message from Sir Alex Ferguson that he does not see a long-term future at the club for Evans - not that there's any shame in not being quite good enough for the second-best team in Europe.
Being fourth-choice centre-half at Manchester United - and winning a Premier League winner's medal - may well have been enough for Jonny Evans last season. But being a distant fifth-choice centre-half when the third and fourth picks are young, English and already forming a partnership at international level, should not be enough for Jonny Evans next season. The Northern Irishman has gone backwards and the £16m-plus purchase of Phil Jones was a clear message from Sir Alex Ferguson that he does not see a long-term future at the club for Evans - not that there's any shame in not being quite good enough for the second-best team in Europe.
Joe Cole (Liverpool)
Earning £90,000 a week for doing very little sounds rather marvellous, but earning £90,000 a week for doing very little while the world thinks you're a money-grabbing has-been cannot be too comfortable for Joe Cole, whose childhood dreams probably involved actually playing football for his mammoth wages. At 29, Cole should be at his footballing peak but instead he's watching Kenny Dalglish build a new Liverpool side in which he will play nothing but a cameo role. Take the hint mate, join a lower club and play a main role instead of just warming the bench up at Anfield.
Earning £90,000 a week for doing very little sounds rather marvellous, but earning £90,000 a week for doing very little while the world thinks you're a money-grabbing has-been cannot be too comfortable for Joe Cole, whose childhood dreams probably involved actually playing football for his mammoth wages. At 29, Cole should be at his footballing peak but instead he's watching Kenny Dalglish build a new Liverpool side in which he will play nothing but a cameo role. Take the hint mate, join a lower club and play a main role instead of just warming the bench up at Anfield.
Matt Cooper
No comments:
Post a Comment