10 players who desperately need a move

It is never nice to see a player’s career stall at a club where they seemingly have no future, especially when you are convinced they have the talent to shine elsewhere.

A transfer window represents a chance for these players to remind everyone what they are capable of and on a more personal level, get back in their groove. We can never know exactly how a player feels about their career in a team they don’t get picked for, but it can’t be healthy from a mental perspective.

January is an odd time to move as you simultaneously get players moving at the peak of their powers and in superb form, while you also get players that are lacking minutes and down on confidence. Honourable mention for Donny van de Beek, who seems to have sorted his immediate future out with a loan at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Here’s ten other top players who could Van de Beek’s lead, getting a move they desperately need.

Potential landing spot: Borussia Dortmund, elsewhere in the Bundesliga

Rarely has a player needed a change of scenery more than Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, whose career at the Red Devils appears to be all but over while Erik ten Hag remains in charge.

A return to the Bundesliga seems the most likely option for Sancho – he previously starred at Borussia Dortmund and is on their shopping list for a mid-season return. Table-topping Bayer Leverkusen have shown interest, as have VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig, but the Englishman’s hefty wage packet could mean a return to BVB is the only feasible move.

Potential landing spot: Newcastle, Juventus

Kalvin Phillips is in a similar situation to Sancho, the difference being the lack of disciplinary proceedings. Pep Guardiola has spoken about how well Phillips trains and how nice a guy he is, but that hasn’t earned him any sort of chance at Manchester City.

For the former Leeds United to have any chance of going to Euro 2024 with England, he simply has to play. Juventus have held talks with City over a potential loan deal, but Newcastle United are also in play – a move that may suit Phillips nicely as he won’t need to uproot his life to Italy mid-season.

Potential landing spot: Premier League loan move

Noni Madueke arrived from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for just shy of £30m, following in the footsteps of…