Which Premier League stars would benefit from a January loan move…
The Premier League is starting to take shape – league positions are beginning to edge closer to what is expected, starting eleven’s are becoming established and lists of January transfer targets are being rapidly formed.
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For many young players, this means that they are firmly out of the first-team picture. Here are ten stars we believe could benefit from a loan move in January:
10) Ryan Mason (Tottenham Hotspur)
Has proved his ability during a whole host of loan spells with lower league clubs, and has now got his chance with the Tottenham first-team. But with Spurs overburdened with midfield options, perhaps the 23-year-old would do better to seek a regular spot with a lesser Premier League club.
9) Yaya Sanogo (Arsenal)
The Frenchman has struggled to find his form in English football, and is currently sidelined through injury. When he does return, he will likely find first-team chances even harder to come by, especially following the arrival of Danny Welbeck. He needs to find his feet with another side, and could even dip into the Championship.
8) Lewis Baker (Chelsea)
The 19-year-old has massively impressed within the England youth team setup, but his yet to make his first-team league debut at club level. Surely the talented midfielder would benefit from a spell in the Championship, perhaps with Middlesbrough, where the Blues enjoy some highly useful connections.
7) Jordan Rossiter (Liverpool)
Another impressive youngster from the Liverpool academy, the 17-year-old won many plaudits for his performance in the Reds recent League Cup victory over Middlesbrough. He has already proved that he can cut it in first-team football, and it could aid his development to be playing elsewhere, rather than with the academy side.
6) Scott Sinclair (Manchester City)
It’s hard not to feel sorry for the 25-year-old, who showed flashes of his Swansea City form during pre-season, but was subsequently back in the reserves by the time the Premier League campaign began. A fruitless loan spell at West Brom last season did little for him, but a more positive switch elsewhere could set up a future move away from the Etihad.
5) Serge Gnabry (Arsenal)
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough spell during the second-half of last season, playing nine Premier League games and scoring his first goal. Injury has stalled his progress so far during the current campaign, and the German youth team international could hugely benefit from a short-term loan to regain his fitness and get some first-team action.
4) Jon Flanagan (Liverpool)
The young full-back impressed for the Reds last season, but injury issues, along with the arrivals of Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno have reduced his first-team chances. A loan spell to a lesser Premier League team would help him quickly regain his fitness and ensure that he starts regular matches.
3) Paddy McNair (Manchester United)
The United youngster came into the team following a whole host of defensive injuries, and showed off his encouraging potential. When the likes of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are available again, you have to imagine that McNair’s chances will lessen. But he has proved he is worth a loan move to continue his development.
2) Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
The impressive, towering Frenchman is currently providing back-up to Gary Cahill and John Terry. But with that Blues partnership unlikely to be broken anytime soon, it would be worth pulling in a short-term, experienced reserve player, allowing Zouma to go out on loan and start regularly – ideally at another Premier League club.
1) Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)
The Belgian teenager has yet to start a competitive game under Louis van Gaal, and faces a massive amount of competition for his place in the team. He has struggled to improve since bursting onto the scene last season, and would surely benefit from regular first-team football and a Premier League rival.
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