The fairy tale career of Rickie Lambert has hit a brick wall. His move to Liverpool always seemed like a step too far for the ex-Southampton man and sure enough his career is now in need of one last kick-start if he is to have another productive season at the top level.

Now 33, Lambert would be fortunate to get any more than one more season in the Premier League and he should surely push for a move away from Anfield this summer. Realistically, if he were to stay in Liverpool, the signings of Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino further block his path to any potential first-team football with Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli still at the club, too.

The best move for Lambert is going to be a combination of competition for places, or lack of, and a style of play that suits his game. With that in mind, here are FIVE potential suitors.

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West Brom

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A big English centre forward to play under Tony Pulis, now that sounds about right, doesn’t it?

Other than the promising Saido Berahino, West Brom’s strikers have been largely underwhelming and Lambert would be a significant upgrade on Victor Anichebe, or even Brown Ideye. A partnership with Berahino could be lethal with the pace of the youngster and the clever back to goal play of the experienced Lambert.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur - Barclays Premier League

 

Yet again Alan Pardew has proven so many wrong early in his tenure at Palace, and he would surely fancy his chances of getting Lambert back to his top form.

Glenn Murray harassed defences in the second half of the season, yet the pace of Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie stretched the game and fed the striker with crosses - the sort that Lambert would be the ideal man for.

Either as cover, or as a replacement for Murray, Lambert has the sort of guile and intelligence to his game that puts him ahead of any other player at Selhurst Park.

Southampton

Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

 

They say to never go back, but Lambert’s career has been based on over-achieving and a return to Southampton would give the target man a hero’s welcome.

Having recently signed another striker in Juanmi, Ronald Koeman may not want to add Lambert to his list of forwards, but the way that Graziano Pelle tired throughout last season and Shane Long’s poor career record could tempt the board at Saints to re-sign their fans' favourite.

For Lambert, a move back to the South Coast is unlikely to guarantee him regular action, but it may be more about nostalgia than anything else.

Aston Villa

Tim Sherwood celebrate

 

Surely Sherwood would love to have a player like Lambert - he just seems like the sort of throwback that 'Tactics Tim' would think was wonderful, doesn’t he?

With Christian Benteke potentially leaving, Villa are in dire need of another forward and Lambert flanked by the pace of Gabby Agbonlahor and Charles N’Zogbia would be dangerous. Much will depend on if Benteke is still a Villa player by September and, if he is, a bench role may not appeal to Lambert.

Newcastle

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It's always hard to know what is going on at Newcastle, but Steve McClaren will hope he can bring some sanity to St James’ Park.

Lambert with the Newcastle number 9 on his back could be the sort of signing to really see the Geordies fall back in love with their football, or they may see it as unambitious, its hard to know with them. The pressure would be high, but the reward for succeeding is magnificent and Lambert’s game would benefit from the quality of Moussa Sissoko and Remy Cabella around him.