Looking across the squad lists of various Premier League sides soon shows up players who are simply wasting their time at their current club. Whether they have the skill to achieve better things, aren’t getting the playing time, or are just a little out of their depth, there are plenty of names who should be looking to move on to further their career.
They may have arrived with great hopes and failed to live up to the billing, or quietly gone about their job without the praise they so deserve, but it’s fair to say that there are quite a few players who have outgrown their surroundings.
This is my list of 15 players who are wasting their time with their current employer. Some may seem harsh, but a footballer’s career is relatively short, so they need to play to the best of their ability, while they can.
Click on Wilson Palacios to unveil the 15 players wasting their career
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It has been a summer of turmoil for Aston Villa that started with the simple task of appointing a new manager. When Gerald Houllier confirmed that he would not be returning as manager due to health issues, the fans must have thought it was a chance to start afresh with a new man steering the good ship Villa.
But I do not think they had in mind the manager of huge rivals Birmingham City, Alex McLeish.
However Randy Lerner disagreed and went against all of the fans protest and complaints to appoint McLeish as manager. The summer was not to improve for the Villains as Ashley Young sealed his highly expected £16m move to Manchester United, goalkeeper Brad Friedel left to join Spurs and Nigel Reo Coker was released, it really has been a summer of discontent for Aston Villa and their fans.
Only today the club have had to turn down a £15m bid from Liverpool for Stuart Downing but the England winger seems to have set his mind on a move to Anfield and is likely to hand in a transfer request in order to force the move.
With so many integral players moving on to pastures new, the upcoming season will be one of transition for the Villa and McLeish will now be looking to bring in some new talent to complement the squad that he already has at his deposal while also trying to win over the many disgruntled fans.
This time last year Aston Villa had just experienced a successful season under the stewardship of Martin O’Neill, reaching their first Wembley final since 2000 going down 2-1 to Manchester United in the Carling Cup final and achieving a 6th place finish in the Premier League. However to the surprise of everybody O’Neill resigned just five days before the start of the season on due to a disagreement over the future ambitions of the club with owner Randy Lerner.
The season that followed was one of disappointment with Villa flirting with the bottom three, so much so that Lerner had to splash the cash on Darren Bent to ensure the club even remained in the league.
Now McLeish will be looking to rebuild a new side to which mount an attack on the top six in the Premier League. To do this he will need to bring in a number of new players and it is not like the club is short of cash with all the money from the Young sale.
At the back, signing Shay Given to replace the departed Friedel, bringing in Alan Hutton at right back and raiding his old club to sign Roger Johnson would make for three very good signings for McLeish and would probably only cost around £10m for all three.
In midfield, Charles N’Zogbia who is almost certain to leave Wigan this summer would be a suitable replacement for Ashley Young while signing Scott Parker in the middle would be a good move. It is important that they add some experience to a young side that chucked away the most points from winning positions in the Premier League last season and Parker will surely bring a new-found resilience to the side. The injury-stricken Owen Hargreaves may also be an option in the midfield on a free transfer but only a pay as you play deal as he proves his fitness.
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One positive to come from last season was the emergence of young talent progressing into the first team. After their impressive displays last season Marc Albrighton and Irish international Ciaran Clark will surely now play a major role in the team. It is also easy to forget about Fabian Delph who has been overshadowed by his £6m fee during his time at Villa Park but this could be the year he proves his worth to the side. Steven Ireland will also feel he has a big chance to establish himself under a new manager and if he can show the undoubted quality we all know he posses, he could well become an important player this term.
With the many departures this summer, fans optimism ahead of the new summer season remains low but if McLeish can suitably replace the departed players, bring in some much needed experience and still continue Gerald Houllier’s youth policy, you never know it could actually turn out to be a pretty good season for the Villa Park faithful.
Now that Man City are able to spend money like it’s going out of fashion and Tottenham have recently underlined their ambition with some impressive results, everyone is talking about who realistically are genuine contenders for this season’s Premiership title. So far, Chelsea and Man United have regained order by occupying the top two spots, but are we really now looking at a five horse race for this year’s Premier League?
Everybody will expect United and Chelsea to be the main front runners come the end of the season, but as most managers are now predicting, the chasing pack are closer than ever. Anyone who hasn’t given a knee jerk reaction to Arsenal’s spectacular collapse at home to bitter rivals Tottenham at the weekend, will also appreciate that Arsene Wenger’s side are better than they have been in years. Even with that defeat, they are only two points off the pace with some of their best players like Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie yet to find form or fitness. Ruling them out would be foolish.
The beauty of the Premier League this season is that the aforementioned big three haven’t exactly been brushing teams to one side. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have struggled away from home, Chelsea seem to be prone to the occasional blip with four defeats already this season and Arsenal’s home form would encourage clubs to believe that they could quite easily take something from the Emirates.
So that leaves the two latest newcomers to the upper echelons of the Premier League. Man City’s spending spree have equipped their squad with enough talent to win most leagues around the world. If manager Roberto Mancini can get the balance right, there is no reason they can‘t win ours. The Italian has come under pressure for his defensive mentality, and recent back-back home draws are a concern for the fans. So far though, with all that in mind, fourth place and three points off top of the league can’t be too bad for a club struggling to find their feet as a big club.
Tottenham on the other hand, have the balance right. Gareth Bale has been sensational this season, whilst the signing of Rafael van der Vaart has got fans believing that Spurs could be serious title challengers. Results against the likes of Arsenal and Inter Milan have underlined the clubs quality but where they fall down at the moment is consistency. Big wins against big clubs have to be followed by big wins against smaller teams, but that will come with experience. You would also have to agree with manager Harry Redknapp when he says he is still a couple players short, but for the time being sitting three points off a Champions League spot won’t be too disheartening for Spurs fans.
If the likes of Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal were firing on all fronts, it would be difficult to see either Spurs and City realistically challenging for the league this season. But the way results have gone, managers of both clubs must find it hard not to dream that this could be their year.
Come what May, we could be in for the most exciting climax to a Premier League season since it’s began. Tottenham or Man City to be champions? Stranger things have happened.
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Click on image below to see a gallery of Christian’s lady wife
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The game of football has adapted immeasurably over the past few years, with teams across England appearing to be shifting toward a more fluid attacking philosophy. This has in turn seen as increase in creative and forward thinking ex-pro’s taking up roles as coaches or managers across the various leagues, with their knowledge and experience key in adapting to new philosophies.
Gustavo Poyet and Paolo di Canio have, in particular, been working wonders at their posts with Brighton and Hove Albion and Swindon Town, respectively, securing success for both of their clubs, whilst playing attractive, football. The Amex side in particular have been a breath of fresh air, moving up from League One, whilst sticking to their particular philosophy, in the face of an increased level of quality, in terms of opposition.
Its becoming a rather archaic view that teams down the domestic ladder play ‘kick-and-rush’ football, as the level of coaching and tactical know how within the footballing world increases, due in part to an increased exposure to the continental game. Swansea City have provided a real surprise this Premier League season, replicating their free-flowing, possession based plan in the English top-flight. It’s common to see promoted teams secure a shot at the big time, by playing the game the ‘right way’, and achieving success at Championship level, only to switch to a solid style, and negative, game plan upon their arrival in the Premier League. The Swans have bucked this trend, sticking to their 4-3-3, ‘keep the ball on the carpet’ philosophy, and although their form may have dipped slightly of late, the South Wales club will be a top-tier outfit next season.
Although Paulo Sousa and Roberto Martinez may have built the foundations for the club’s success, Brendan Rodgers has been a big influence, pushing the team on and aiding their development. The Welshman was himself an attack minded player in his short career, and as a result was deterred from playing the typical, and in some ways lazy, English style of football:
“I was a little winger or central midfield player, more technically gifted than pace and power. I played in Northern Ireland youth international teams and they were always teams set up to defend and to not have the ball. I was not that type of player and didn’t enjoy it.” Rodgers told The Independent.
“It was similar at Reading and I just felt there was a better way to play football and I knew there was British talent that could play that way. It’s a lot more difficult to coach players to play that way than just to kick the ball up the pitch. But that was my mission really as a young coach, to go and help players to be technically strong and understand tactically the game. That’s followed me from my very first step.”
It must be said that his words ring true at the Liberty Stadium, with the Swans sticking rigidly to their style, regardless of opposition. Sure there have been defeats at the hands of big clubs, but there have also been memorable victories such as the visit of Arsenal, often heralded as the holy grail of English creative football, who were played off the park by the men in white.
The pragmatic approach to football appears to be entering its twilight years, as the technical ability and pace of modern day players increases. The successes of Barcelona have influenced teams across Europe to crave attractive football, and as a result defensively motivated managers have struggled. With the employing of more and more attack orientated coaches, the beautiful game may become just that once more.
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Billy Davies has been sacked by Nottingham Forest, with former England coach Steve McLaren in talks to replace him at the Championship club.Previously in charge of Preston North End and Derby County, Davies, 47, took over at the City Ground in December 2008.
He guided the club to the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, but lost in the semi-finals on both occasions.
A divisive figure, Davies publicly criticised the Forest board’s transfer policy and clashed with the club’s hierarchy on several occasions during his tenure.
“Nottingham Forest have announced this afternoon that they have terminated the contract of manager Billy Davies with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement.
“They have also revealed that they are now talking to Steve McClaren about the City Ground vacancy.”
McLaren, 50, has been out of work since he was sacked by Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in February.
The former Derby County and Manchester United assistant coach began his managerial career at Middlesbrough, taking the club to the final of the 2006 UEFA Cup.
He endured an unhappy spell as England coach, succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson in August 2006 but failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championships and was sacked in November 2007.
McLaren won the Eredivisie with Twente in May 2010, before making the short-lived switch to Wolfsburg.
He has also been linked with the vacant managerial position at Aston Villa.
Who remembers the Brazilian forward by the name of Mirandinha? He was the first Brazilian to ever grace the Premiership and was brought in by then Newcastle United manager Willie McFaul for a record at the time of £575,000. The Toon faithful even created a jaunty little tune for the diminutive winger which went: ‘We’ve got Mirandinha, he’s not from Argentina, he’s from Brazil, he’s f*cking brill’!’ He was the archetypal Brazilian forward with skillful dribbling that saw him, at times, trying to take on entire teams, but possessed superior technique and enlightened the English to the previously unseen Brazilian flair. Unfortunately Mirandinha was to have his time cut short with the dismissal of McFaul and the arrival of Jim Smith causing him to be dispensed of.
What was to become of this player after his brief stint at Newcastle? After his diminutive 54 appearances for Newcastle he moved back to his native Brazil, playing for Palmeiras and moving incessantly from club to club, which saw him play in Portugal and Japan, before finally terminating his career back in Brazil. The unsettled character played for twelve club teams in total and only managed to amount four international appearances for Brazil which attests to the type mercurial talent he was.
Life after playing football must have involved some trepidation for Mirandinha, when speaking to magazine FourFourTwo he reveals that he had the chance to return to Newcastle with Kevin Keegan assuming managerial control: “When Sir John Hall took over and brought in Kevin Keegan, I had the opportunity to return, and then I made the biggest mistake of my life: I chose to stay in Brazil. How I regret that decision…” But then life is lived through the choices we make and Mirandinha has opted to stay involved with football by having managerial roles in the Brazilian league.
Hopefully he isn’t expounding his former retention of the ball tactics to the players under his supervision. Whilst coaching around the world he still holds Newcastle dear to his heart and hopes one day to return: “When Bobby Robson was there, we almost closed a deal – I was going to be one of the youth team coaches.” But instead of being a youth team coach, Mirandinha was using his talent spotting eye (how many Brazilians have Newcastle signed?) in the capacity of scouting for Newcastle.
Whether or not Mike Ashley preserved Mirandinha in his role as a scout, I’m unsure, but it remains doubtful as the motivation to travel has seemingly dictated his career, both on and off the field of play. He was quoted in 2009 as saying, “I have a good relationship with Dennis Wise, so I’m working as a scout for Newcastle. I’m confident that in the future we’ll work something out.” With the ensuing removal of Wise and structural change at Newcastle following relegation and promotion this year, I haven’t the faintest notion of where he finds himself at present. Does anyone know where this currently fabled figure lies?
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Dirk Kuyt has stated that Liverpool have a bright future, and he hopes that he can be part of it and retire on Merseyside.
The Reds have won the Carling Cup this season, are through to the FA Cup semi-finals but are lagging behind in the race for a top-four finish; the Netherlands international feels the club have progressed under Kenny Dalglish.
“We have a sense that we are a coming force, that we are building something special,” he explained to Mirror Football.
“We have a sense that we can do something next season for sure, but we are still in this season, and we still have a chance.
“We cannot give up on any spot in the Premier League and we are still in the FA Cup, so we have to keep fighting this season to deliver.
“Future wise, I think we will be okay. I think we have much to look forward to, because there is a sense we can go places with this squad, because there are some players with real talent.
“Yet we know as a club how important the top four is to the future – the finances [connected with Champions League qualification] mean you cannot afford to be out of it too long.
“That is why we have to keep going, and even if we are some points behind now, we can not give up,” he continued.
Kuyt has not had as much playing time as he would like this season, and is eyeing a more regular first-team slot.
“I want to play every game. It is very disappointing when I don’t – like the Carling Cup Final for instance.
“From my point of view I’m feeling really well physically, I don’t think I’ve ever felt stronger, and I’m ready to play games, I am ready to play every game of the season.
“For me it is all about trying to convince the manager he needs to pick me more than he does at the moment.
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“I can see myself staying at Anfield for the rest of my career, as long as I am satisfied and am entitled to play in each game to get to the level I want to be.
“As long as I play as much as I want to play then I will be happy, but if it gets to the point where I am not playing every game any more, then maybe I will have to make another decision – but I don’t think about that at this stage,” he concluded.
Hong Kong club Kitchee will host the Barclays Asia Trophy in July, the only Premier League-affiliated competition held outside England.Kitchee will welcome 2009/10 champions Chelsea, as well as Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers for the biennial pre-season tournament, which kicks off on July 27.
Matches are set to take place in the Hong Kong Stadium, with a final to determine the winner and a playoff for third place.
Kitchee play Chelsea, while Villa take on Blackburn, who could lose their top-flight status if results on the final day of the Premier League season go against them.
“It is exciting to think that the next stop for the Barclays Premier League after the end of the season on Sunday is Hong Kong,” Kitchee chairman Ken Ng said.
“For Kitchee it was fantastic to win our first league title in 47 years. It is a wonderful bonus for us now to be playing Chelsea.”
“Our supporters, and indeed all football fans in Hong Kong, will be looking forward to see us lining up against world famous stars like Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and John Terry.”
“I’m sure they will get both a warm Hong Kong welcome and a competitive game on July 27.”
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was not entirely satisfied with a point from a goalless derby encounter with Manchester City at Eastlands.
A game of few chances for either side failed to live up to its pre-match hype and Ferguson was not content with a result which dropped his side four points behind league leaders Chelsea.
He told Sky Sports:"City are very difficult to beat on their own ground and obviously they set their stall out.
"I think there was too much tension for it to be kind of match people thought it would be. They set their stall out in the second half and made it very difficult for us.
"It's a decent result, but we don't count draws away from home as the target before the game. Our target is to win the game and I think we had enough possession to do that.
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Stoke bounced back from the disappointment of being knocked out of the Europa League by getting three points in a 2-0 win over Swansea on Sunday.
The Britannia Stadium outfit scored through Matthew Upson and Peter Crouch in the first half, and the score stayed like that until the final whistle.
Potters boss Tony Pulis was happy with his team’s display and feels they showed adequate energy to record the victory.
“We are pleased because Brendan (Rodgers) and the backroom staff have done a great job there,” the Welsh manager told Sky Sports.
“They play great football; they move the ball fantastically well. They work very, very hard, they are nice and compact and solid.
“I thought the lads were fantastic today with the closing down and stuff. Where they get the energy from I don’t know. That is our 43rd game of the season today.
“The thing is that you stay focused. No-one will get carried away at this football club, everybody knows about the family of this club,” he concluded.
The win sees Stoke up to 12th place in the standings, whilst Swansea slip to 14th.
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