10 players who are too good for their present clubs (2016/17)

Some of these players have been capped numerous times for their national sides, while some others have moved from being champions in a particular league to mid table obscurity in the other.

These players have the potential to play for the top teams in Europe (no offence meant for their current teams) but they have somehow found themselves playing in teams where their full talents might not be utilised completely.

Some former players of great teams like Bayern Munich and Chelsea make this list while some of these players are targets for top clubs across Europe in the next transfer window.

We take a look at 10 players who are too good for their present clubs

#10 Xherdan Shaqiri

Known as the “alpine Messi” or the “magic dwarf”, Shaqiri was considered to be one of the most talented players in the world. His performances with FC Basel captured the attention of the world and he was finally bought by Bayern Munich for a fee reported to be € 11.6 million.

However, in a team filled with superstars, the Swiss international found it tough to hold on to a regular starting spot and a desire for regular playing time led to his transfer to Inter Milan. However, after a mixed spell at Italy, Stoke City surprisingly secured his services with an audacious bid of £12 million.

Although Stoke City are a solid team in the Premier League, people would have expected Shaqiri to join a team playing in the Champions League or at least Europa League. For now, Stoke City fans will be thankful that the supremely talented Swiss international is plying his trade at the Bet365 stadium.

Shaqiri got criticism from a section of critics who thought his move was made more for monetary reasons rather than football ones.

#9 Felipe Anderson

Felipe Anderson has enjoyed another solid season with Italian side Lazio. A quick, hard-working, and technically gifted player, Felipe Anderson is predominantly known for his pace and is regarded as one of the fastest players in the modern game.

He also possesses good ball control, and dribbling ability.He is also a versatile player, and is capable of playing as a forward, as a winger, and as an attacking midfielder. In addition to his technical skills, he is gifted with powerful striking ability from distance with either foot, and is an accurate set-piece and penalty kick taker.

The Brazilian can also serve as an assist-man due to his creative ability and eye for the final pass. Although Lazio are struggling this season, Anderson has turned in some eye-catching performances for the Serie A side.

With clubs like Manchester United, Juventus and Chelsea interested in the Brazilian, we might see Anderson playing in a top club next season.

#8 Sebastian Giovinco

Former Juventus star Sebastian Giovinco has been setting the MLS on fire with his goalscoring exploits and is easily the most consistent player plying his trade in the United States.

Giovinco scored 22 goals in 33 games for Toronto FC last season and won the MLS MVP (Most Valuable Player), and Golden Boot. He was also the top-assist provider for the club last season. The Italian has also broken the all-time goal-scoring record at Toronto FC with his 30 goals in 46 games.

An explosive and creative player blessed with excellent set-piece abilities, Giovinco is capable of being a valuable addition to many top clubs across Europe. While stars like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba all moved to the MLS during the end of their career, Giovinco is still at his peak and could move back to Europe in the next season.

#7 Mateo Musacchio

Musacchio is a no-nonsense centre-half and has been one of the best young centre-backs in Spain. Interceptions and tackling are areas where he excels, in addition to his ability to read the game defensively. Undoubtedly, he has been a standout performer for Villarreal (Yellow Submarines) and the Argentine defender has led the Spanish side with his defensive displays in the last 3 seasons.

The Villarreal centre-back is calm, composed on the ball and very good at taking decisions, making him one of the best young centre-backs in the world. While his defensive partner Eric Bailly secured a move to Premier League giants Manchester United, Musacchio stayed back at the La Liga side.

The Argentine, who is 26, is one of the best young defenders in the world and it will be no surprise if Musacchio makes a move to a top club across Europe in the next season.

#6 Jonas Hector

A full German international and Germany's first choice left-back, Jonas Hector currently plays for Bundesliga side FC Koln. Technically sound, confident on the ball and capable of contributing in attack and defence, Hector is one of the most solid left-backs in the world.

His defensive contributions are evidence of his playing style; 6 defensive actions, 2.4 interceptions, and 2.8 tackles per game at a success rate of 68% are statistics that display his eagerness and efficiency when regaining possession and averting attacking spells.

Koln are currently fourth in the Bundesliga table and while they have surprised many people with their stunning performances, the fact remains that Jonas Hector is capable of playing at some of the top clubs in Europe and the German deserves to be playing in the Champions League.

#5 Alexandre Lacazette

Barring Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Lacazette has been the stand-out striker in Ligue 1 for the last 2 seasons. Having scored more than 20 goals for each of the last 3 seasons, the French striker has got off to a blistering start this season as well having scored 9 goals in 9 games this season.

Still only 25, and at the peak of his game, the Lyon star is known for his acceleration, agility, skill on the ball and calm finishing skills. Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG and Atletico Madrid were all said to be interested in Lacazette but Lyon president Aulas dug his heels in and did not sell his prized asset.

Lyon are 8th in Ligue 1 this season and are not looking like genuine title contenders and Lacazette needs a change in surroundings if he wants to show his abilities at the biggest stage in Europe.

#4 William Carvalho

William Carvalho is one of the most talented youngsters in Portugal right now. A powerful defensive midfielder, Carvalho does an excellent job in the middle of the park breaking up play and setting up new attacks for his side.

Carvalho has been linked to top clubs all over Europe from the past few seasons and he definitely deserves to play in a top team challenging for European honours. At just 24years old, Carvalho still has a long way to go in his career.

The Sporting CP midfielder is considered to be one of the best midfielders in the Portuguese League and his immense performances in midfield have earned him rave reviews from all quarters.

The Portuguese midfielder is calm and composed on the ball and he has shown maturity beyond his years with his assured performances. A quality midfield enforcer is a must for all the top teams and Carvalho will be hot property in the next transfer window.

#3 Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku had a season to remember for Everton last year. The Belgian has been in amazing form having scored 25 goals in 46 appearances for the Toffees last season. The big Belgian did not get too much time to prove himself at Chelsea, but ever since he moved to Everton, Lukaku has shown that he is among the best strikers in the Premier League.

This season as well, Lukaku has started in blistering fashion and although Everton are 6th on the Premier League table, the Belgian is talented enough to play in some of the top clubs across the world.

Speaking to Belgian news outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, Roger Lukaku, who himself was a professional footballer in Belgium, claimed that his son Romelu Lukaku should make the move to a European giant sooner rather than later, saying “He's ready. I see that there is interest from Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester United.”

The Toffees face a real battle to keep hold of their star man in the next transfer window.

#2 Julian Draxler

German winger Julian Draxler is one of the most promising talents in Bundesliga and many reports have linked him with a move away from Wolfsburg next year. While Draxler is often classified as a winger, he can be equally effective in the attacking midfielder role.

Already a full German international, Draxler is wanted by all the top clubs across Europe with Arsenal and PSG favourites to secure his signature. Wolfsburg this season have had a bad start and are currently languishing at the 16th spot.

With no European football in sight, Draxler is expected to leave this summer with his agent even saying:

“He will definitely leave Wolfsburg at the end of the season. He would’ve gladly run to join Juve and is the ideal Tre Qu Artista for Allegri.

“I repeat: Draxler will leave, but whether or not Juventus are interested again is another matter. I think the Bianconeri can still spend big money, as their revenue is close to that of the top European clubs.”

#1 Dimitri Payet

When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, everyone knew they had managed to pull off a coup by signing a player of his calibre, no disrespect to West Ham, but the talented Frenchman could have been playing in any of the top clubs across Europe.

9 goals and 12 assists last season in the Premier League saw him nominated for the PFA player of the year award last season and this season as well, he has continued his good form and is a firm fan favourite. The first truly world-class star to play for West Ham since the departures of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, Payet has turned in some amazing and eye-catching performances for the Hammers.

With West Ham struggling to put in good performances in the Premier League this season, Payet might well look to join some club playing in the Champions League next transfer window.

His performances have drawn praise from all quarters and the Hammers’ manager showed just how impressed he was when he said:"I have to get poetry lessons to describe his importance to us," said Croatian Bilic.

"I haven't seen better players than that. He is also doing the dirty work and on the ball he is up there with Luka Modric from the players I have trained so far, Dimitri is one of the best I have trained and every week I want these questions about him to continue, but it is hard to be surprised."