Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
Several high-profile names on the Premier League teams have been benchwarmers, and they need to make a move to save their future.
Premier League 2023/24 is already over. Several players thrived and became the mainstays of their club. Yet, some others have been unfortunate, as they only spent their season mainly on the sidelines, not because of the injury but more on tactical or other issues. They are high-profile names who should have been fielded more than they were. As the transfer window is open, these players need to decide to salvage their careers when there is still a chance. Picking the right and better clubs that suit their circumstances and skills would be necessary. Here are those high-profile players who have been merely benchwarmers:
The 26-year-old goalkeeper suddenly lost his place in the starting lineup last season due to the arrival of David Raya and Mikel Arteta's indecisiveness. He was told that he could still feature in their campaign, but he did not have the number of games he used to have in the 2022–23 campaign. At that time, he made only 38 appearances in the Premier League and helped them return to the top four, while last season the former Sheffield United man was only given six games in the EPL. Such is ridiculous for an England international.
To salvage his career, switching sides is the only possible solution, considering Arteta's preference for his countryman between the sticks. Newcastle and Liverpool are said to be interested in signing him. The goalie with four international caps needs regular minutes on the pitch, and the Magpies seem to be the more serious party to pounce on him in the upcoming transfer window.
The Spaniard at Spurs is the next one who should move out. He only appeared in seven games, two of which came from the starting lineup. Gil needs more minutes to improve his form. The former Eibar and Leganes man is the typical number 10, or classic attacking midfielder. In 2022/23, he registered two goals and two assists for Sevilla, compared to none in North London last season. Tottenham appears to be willing to sell him too. The only club that has shown interest in securing his signature is Eredivie's Feyenoord, beside Brighton, in the winter transfer window.
He was tipped to be one of the most exciting talents in France three years ago. He was linked to various clubs that were fighting to sign him. Faivre eventually picked Lyon over foreign sides before he joined Bournemouth in 2021 after his impressive stint with Brest. Unfortunately, he struggled to replicate his form at the previous club, but he only managed to score six goals and provide five assists. The former Monaco man seems to have done better on the less high-profile French team. His stints in Brest and Lorient, when he was loaned out by The Cherries, were quite promising, with more than goal involvement throughout the season. On the contrary, he failed to impress in the Premier League. The attacking midfielder only played five times last season.
Perhaps Faivre shines better in a mid-lower club in the French top flight. Returning to Lorient seems more likely unless The Cherries boss Andoni Iraola can unlock his potential next season and help improve the demand for Bournemouth tickets next season.
The 31-year-old defender slowly lost his place in the first team last season. Keane only featured nine games in the EPL 2023–24. Such was in contrast to his games in 2021/22 when he still got a nod to hit the pitch in 32 matches. The former Burnley man is likely on the way out too, as the Toffees are keen on selling him this summer. The centre-back with 19 international caps has been linked to a move outside England recently. Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas is reportedly one of the clubs that are ready to hold talks with Keane and Everton management.
The 27-year-old forward has been only a benchwarmer for Everton. Last season, he only played 14 games in the Premier League and scored one. His loan stint at Goodison Park is likely to end, as the Dutch frontman is never going to be on Sean Dyche's team, as Dominic Calvert Lewin is preferable for the former Burnley boss.
Danjuma's spell at Tottenham in 2022–23 was not impressive either. The former NEC Nijmegen man just joined Spurs in the middle of the season. He played nine times and scored only one goal. Such was quite different from his spell in Villareal. He helped the Yellow Submarine advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2020/21. Danjuma even netted the only goal of the game in the first leg of the quarterfinal. Unai Emery's men managed to defeat Bayern 1-0. Unfortunately, no clubs have shown interest in signing him this summer.
The Portuguese international has been a benchwarmer too at Everton. Last season, he only made 12 appearances in the Premier League and scored one goal. Gomes has been unable to seal his place in the starting XI, especially since Sean Dyche took charge of the team, plus his proneness to injury and inconsistencies. He should probably switch sides for the sake of his career. The contract of the former Barcelona man is set to expire this month, and the Toffees are unlikely to extend his stay. Gomes has reportedly been the target of his former club, Benfica, and the Saudi Pro League side this summer.
The 28-year-old England international appeared to make a bad move when he joined Manchester City in 2022. His hope to be a part of Pep Guardiola's squad and Manchester City history was dashed as he was struggling to meet the level of physical fitness standard set by the Citizens. His loan to West Ham did not seem to work in January 2024. He played only eight games in the EPL with the Hammers but failed to improve his form either. The former Leeds man is currently seeking a proper club to help him bounce back. Everton is seemingly one of the clubs that are ready to sign him on loan. Moreover, he is also open to moving abroad. RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, and AS Roma have been reportedly interested in pouncing him in the summer transfer window.
Last but not least, there is the 31-year-old striker who was once a part of the Liverpool squad for three years, Danny Ings. Ings is a part of the West Ham squad but has been deemed surplus to requirements, especially last season. He only played 20 games in the Premier League and registered one goal. Compared to the 2022–23 season, when he still made 35 appearances and contributed eight goals and two assists, this is a huge decline. Perhaps it is high time to move on for the former Aston Villa man. The newly promoted side and his former club, Southampton, are interested in bringing him back home next season. He played for the Saints before he left Anfield, scoring 46 goals and providing 10 assists in 100 games during his stint at Saint Mary's. Such a move would be a smart move for both sides.
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