da pixbet： It was a record-breaking summer transfer window for the Premier League but not every club managed to pull off all the business they wanted to.
da bwin： Indeed, whilst the Premier League’s spending power proved more than adequate by in large, the enormous wages on offer in the English top flight has created a small cohort of hangers-on.
These footballers could be playing weekly at other clubs but have bizarrely decided to stay with their current employers – I say bizarrely, would you turn down tens of thousands of pounds per week to sit on the bench?
But we at Football FanCast hate the money-grabbing culture of the modern game – something Sam Allardyce’s antics and the ongoing ‘bung-gate’ lend themselves to.
With that in mind, FFC are doing a bit of naming and shaming, listing the TEN Premier League stars who have well outstayed their welcomes at their respective clubs.
These lot need to move on in January!
YAYA TOURE
Few expected Yaya Toure’s Manchester City career to span beyond the summer, his frosty relationship with Pep Guardiola being common knowledge, but the former Ivory Coast international remains on the books at the Etihad Stadium. To give credit where it’s due, the ageing midfielder does look in better shape than recent seasons. But controversial agent Dimitri Seluk has made it practically impossible for Pep to select Toure – even in the cup competitions. Something tells us he’ll be off to the Chinese Super League in January.
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER
Despite being banished to train with whatever Manchester United are calling their reserve squad nowadays, Bastian Schweinsteiger surprisingly pledged his allegiance to the Red Devils at the end of August, insisting he wouldn’t be forced out of the club. Jose Mourinho has a wealth of midfield options at his disposal this season, so the German icon isn’t going to see the light of day.
CESC FABREGAS
Unlike the rest of the players on this list, Cesc Fabregas has at least picked up some game-time this season. But after starting the campaign on the bench, following rumours he’d been offered to Real Madrid during the summer, it’s abundantly clear Antonio Conte would have preferred to move the Spaniard on. Nonetheless, the playmaking midfielder remains at Chelsea, dropping in and out of the starting XI.
MAMADOU SAKHO
If Mirror Football are to be believed, then Liverpool told Mamadou Sakho to find a new employer during the summer after being sent home from their pre-season tour due to three breaches of club discipline. But the France international resisted – allegedly reluctant to even hold talks with potential suitors – and eventually stayed at Anfield. He’s not played in any competition so far this season and that will likely be the case until he decides to leave.
MEMPHIS DEPAY
It seems the only thing keeping Memphis Depay at Old Trafford is the immense embarrassment Manchester United will face if they sell him after just one year. Indeed, the Dutchman was compared to Cristiano Ronaldo when he signed for the Red Devils – just twelve months later, he’s behind Ashley Young in the pecking order.
YAYA SANOGO
Arsene Wenger billed Yaya Sanogo as Arsenal’s next great frontman after signing him from Auxerre in summer 2013. But the Frenchman has gone on to register just 20 appearances for the Gunners, whilst three loan spells have bore only four goals. The 23-year-old is way below the level of quality on show at the Emirates Stadium but somehow still remains on the books.
OUMAR NIASSE
Ronald Koeman made the situation abundantly clear in the summer, telling reporters when asked about Oumar Niasse; “if he likes to play football, he needs to leave Everton.” But it appears the incentive of a healthy pay cheque is far more important to the Everton striker than the beautiful game. He remains at Goodison Park, twiddling his thumbs and collecting a bumper salary.
MARCO VAN GINKEL
There can be no greater indictment than being left out of your club’s registered Premier League squad, as is the case with Marco van Ginkel. Admittedly, the Dutchman’s endured his fair share of bad luck since rocking up at Stamford Bridge, suffering an injury in 2013 that’s lead to a host of further problems. That’s the reason he couldn’t leave Stamford Bridge during the summer but as soon as he’s fit, MVG needs to get the first train out of west London.
MATHIEU DEBUCHY
Once seen as the successor to Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Debuchy is now playing second fiddle to a right-back ten years his junior in Hector Bellerin. The France international had to go out on loan for game-time last season but didn’t leave the Emirates Stadium permanently during the summer, ensuring at least another four months of Gunners wages.
JOHN OBI MIKEL
Many would argue John Obi Mikel outstayed his Premier League welcome about six years ago. Indeed, the Nigerian international is always linked with summer moves away from Stamford Bridge but continues to play his bit-part role at Chelsea. With his contract winding down, many expected him to leave in the last transfer window. Instead, Mikel’s involvement in the 2016 Olympics clouded the situation and the predicted departure never happened.