The top TEN PL players whose career is going nowhere
Supporters are rarely keen to see their players angling for a move away through the odd subtle comment or use of a dubious agent. Yet for some it is the only viable way to return to regular first team football once more. The 25-man squad rules failed to throw up any prominent casualties but below are ten Premier League players who will see more of the bench than the pitch this season.
Alan Hutton
This Scottish international has found himself out of contention at White Hart Lane. The former Rangers man who cost the club £9 million is still eager to prove himself in the PL. In the absence of first team football and Vedran Corluka’s form, he was loaned to Sunderland for the second half of last season.
Anton Ferdinand
Hutton’s former team-mate at the Stadium of Light, Ferdinand is another defender weighing up his future. The ex-Hammer cost Sunderland £8 million in 2008 and has attracted interest from Sicilian club Palermo. The recruitment of Titus Bramble, John Mensah, Paolo da Silva and Nedum Onuoha mean his chances under Steve Bruce will be limited further this year.
Shay Given
Manchester City’s undisputed No1 is now the club’s No2 after the return of Joe Hart from a season long loan at Birmingham. The young England keeper is in imperious form and is clearly enjoying his game. Few believe that Given will be able to reclaim that coveted place in the team. The thoroughly respected Irishman will attract interest again in January.
Yuri Zhirkov
“Only once in my life have I felt like I needed a psychiatrist … I was looking at Yuri Zhirkov and all I could see was a rib-eye steak,” writes Carlo Ancelotti in his autobiography. Knowing that nugget of information, Zhirkov may be forced to seek a move away from west London. The left-sided player joined from CSKA Moscow for £18 million last summer but has not become a regular at the Bridge. With Florent Malouda and Ashley Cole in front of him that task will not get any easier.
Ryan Babel
Marooned in a helicopter on transfer deadline day, Babel has since denied he was looking for a way out of Anfield. He has struggled to hold down a starting place since arriving there in 2007. His talent is evident but less so is his optimum playing position. Recently deployed as a lone striker against Trabzonspor, taking advantage of injuries and obscure European ties will be his best hope of gaining favour at Liverpool.
Continue to Page Two to see which five other players make the list…
Pages: 1 2
Football News 24/7
Yuri Zhirkov I forget hime…
Reply
Jermain Jenas anyone…?
Reply
Hutton did a really good job for us last years at Sunderland. We would have liked to sign him very much, but the price tag was just too high because Spurs wanted to recoup the 9mil they spent. Sad.
Anton Ferdinand is good on his day, but again at 8mil overpriced. His concentration can let him down.
But… missing out on Hutton was a disappointment for us. There’s just no way Spurs will recoup their original outlay.
Reply
Tottenham is full of these guys. Didn’t even think of Hutton. Kaboul, O’Hara, Giovani, Bentley.. Some of those are a bit harsh but you could include more.
Reply
I’d be more worried if i was michael owen than if i was anderson.
Reply
David Bentley is the first name that springs to mind when I think of this subject – once legitimately touted as the long-term successor to David Beckham, his career has stagnated unbelievably since moving to WHL.
Reply
Unfortunately for the doomsayers, Jenas and Bentley will be in the squad. I, for one, am glad about that.
Reply
No Carrick? He’s stagnating big time!
Reply
Carrick for sure!!
A man who once had england starting call ups, and was touted as the £18m reply to anchor uniteds midfield….
Now he’s a boy who cant even manage to make the bench.
Reply
Kaboul?…your joking right, he has a big part to play in spurs’ future, as he showed at the end of last season. Bentley had a good run in the team last season but has been injured for the start of this one. Jenas is the one i worry for, too many names in front of him but looked solid when he played the other week. By january every player in the spurs squad will have played at least 10 games.
Reply