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The Premier League title race is beginning to take shape, with multiple teams likely to be in contention till the end. It has been a stunning start to the season for many clubs, with a lot of players producing unbelievable performances.
However, that has also meant that a few other deserving players have missed out on regular game time.
A lot of Premier League players could be on the move this January
Most Premier League teams are blessed with deep squads. Given the intense competition for places, it is understandable why clubs cannot give enough game time to all players.
Nevertheless, that also means players cannot remain on the sidelines forever. That's because for most of them, a place in their national team could be at stake for dearth of regular playing time. On that note, here's a look at ten Premier League players who need to make a move in the winter transfer window.
#10 Phil Jones (Manchester United)
What happened to Phil Jones is very unfortunate. The Englishman was touted to become a big player for Manchester United when he signed to play under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011.
While most of his teammates have either left the club or retired, Jones has remained at United. He has seen four managers come and go since Ferguson's retirement. Due to injury, the English defender has been sidelined since January 2020.
Injuries have marred Phil Jones' career, which means he has never lived up to his huge promise. It is unlikely the former Blackburn defender will get many chances under new manager Ralf Rangnick. So it would be wise if he moves away from the Premier League giants in the winter transfer window in search of regular game time.
#9 Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
Another Englishman who has struggled to live up to his potential is Dele Alli. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder looked like a solid player when he burst onto the scene for the London club.
His creative abilities combined with his technical skills make him a dangerous player when on song. Unfortunately, Alli has lacked consistency, and has therefore been sidelined frequently. The change in managers at Tottenham Hotspur hasn't helped his cause too.
With Antonio Conte at the helm now, there hasn't been a significant change in Alli's chances of regular game time at the Premier League club. The 25-year old can still find a good club in January and turn around his fortunes.
#8 Raphinha (Leeds United)
Leeds United might not have had the best of starts to their Premier League campaign, but Raphinha has looked in great form. The left-footed attacker has been quite lethal with his goalscoring this season.
Last campaign, the Brazilian scored six goals in 30 Premier League games. This season, though, he has reached the same tally in just 12 outings. Raphinha's finishing has improved to a great extent, and it looks like he's ready to play for a bigger club.
Apparently, Liverpool are eyeing the former Sporting Lisbon forward. Leeds won't make it easy for The Reds, though. But if the player pushes for a move, Raphinha could move to the Premier League giants in January.
#7 Nathan Ake (Manchester City)
Premier League champions Manchester City probably have the best squad in England right now. Manager Pep Guardiola is known to sign big-name players, and he has certainly done that at City.
In the process, he has assembled some fine defenders in his team. One of them is former Bournemouth man Nathan Ake. The Dutch defender was signed by Manchester City last season, but has struggled to get regular game time, given the options City have at their disposal.
With Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones ahead of him in the pecking order Ake will struggle to play regularly. So he could look to make a move this January. West Ham United are keen on signing the Dutchman, but it remains to be seen if that happens this winter.
#6 Tanguy Ndombele (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tanguy Ndombele was a star at Lyon, producing impressive performances in midfield. Known as a box-to-box midfielder, the Frenchman was relentless and very effective with his approach.
He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, but the player has struggled to settle in the Premier League. There have been glimpses of the ability he possesses, but he has lacked consistency. Ndombele has, at times, tried to overdo things, and that hasn't worked out in his favour.
Under new manager Antonio Conte, the French midfielder could find it difficult to start. That's because the Italian has already complained about commitment issues regarding Ndombele. In that case, it could be good for the player if he leave in January for pastures anew.
#5 Ross Barkley (Chelsea)
Ross Barkley was once a young sensation at Everton, having come through their ranks. He joined Chelsea in 2018, but has since struggled to be a regular starter for them in the Premier League.
Last season, he did well on loan at Aston Villa, and was expected to start more this season under Thomas Tuchel. Unfortunately, with some great midfielders already in the ranks at Chelsea, Barkley hasn't been able to get enough game time.
The 27-year-old can still be of massive help to other clubs, given his ability in midfield. Both Newcastle United and Leeds United have shown interest in his services. If an opportunity materialises in January, Barkley should capitalise on it, and make a move.
#4 Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
Much was expected of Alexandre Lacazette when Arsenal signed him in 2017. The French striker had an amazing record at Lyon before he joined The Gunners in the Premier League.
Lacazette had a promising start with Arsenal, but his form has taken a dip since then. A player of his quality has squandered many relatively easy chances in front of goal, which has come back to haunt The Gunners. The Frenchman seems to have lost confidence as well, as he has not played quite frequently.
With age not on his side, the 30-year-old cannot afford to be on the bench that often. Considering the same, Lacazette could soon make a move away from London, something that could happen in this winter transfer window.
#3 Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
One of the Premier League's most sought-after players right now is Jesse Lingard. The Englishman had a superb spell on loan at West Ham United last season. He was expected to feature more for Manchester United this season, but that hasn't been the case.
With his pace, agility, killer instinct and knack for scoring outrageous goals, the 28-year-old is an asset on the pitch. United have struggled this season, which led to the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian did not use Lingard very frequently, despite assuring him more game time in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle United are keen on signing the English forward this January. Lingard is running out of contract at United, and has not renewed it. So the club should sell him instead of letting him go for free next summer.
#2 Ferran Torres (Manchester City)
Ferran Torres was signed by Manchester City in 2020 from Valencia. Since then, the Spaniard has been in and out of City's starting XI.
Guardiola likes to play the Spanish attacker in different positions, and that has worked out well for him. However, last season, Torres started only 15 games. He was hopeful of starting more this season, after the departure of club legend Sergio Aguero, but that hasn't happened.
With more than three years left on his contract, the former Valencia forward has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona. Given the uncertainty over his City future, Torres could look to leave the club this winter for more game time elsewhere.
#1 Timo Werner (Chelsea)
When Timo Werner signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2020, he was expected to be hit the ground running. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case.
With his clinical finishing, smart positioning and blistering pace, Werner was at his lethal best for RB Leipzig. Since moving to the Premier League, though, the German forward seems to have lost his touch, squandering easy opportunities to score.
Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea this summer has piled on the misery for Werner, resulting in less game time. Manchester United's new manager Ralf Rangnick has previously worked with Timo Werner, and is apparently keen on bringing him to Old Trafford.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea let the player join a direct Premier League rival, though.
