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We are four days into the new year and that consequently means that the winter transfer window has been opened for four days. The winter transfer window offers an opportunity for the underperforming teams to revive their season by making some quality signings in the market.
For some players, it also offers a chance at a reprieve, as hitherto guaranteed starters who find themselves on the bench due to numerous factors chief of which is unsuitability to the managerial demands have a chance to move elsewhere in search of regular football.
With the January transfer window about to kick into full gear, here in this article, we would be taking a look at four players who need to seek new clubs to revive their stagnating careers.
#4 Isco
One of the highly rated young players in the world, Isco was the Golden Boy in 2012 on the back of his displays with Malaga, which led Real Madrid to spend a princely sum to get him in the summer of 2013.
In the intervening five years, the 26-year-old has won virtually everything winnable at club level, playing his part (albeit not centrally) in each of Real Madrid's triumphs.
On his day, Isco is one of the most creative players in the world, combining his excellent technique and close dribbling abilities to devastating effect. However, he has faced a lot of criticism over his inconsistency and lack of effort to the team cause.
This season, Isco has descended to new lows as he has been one of the most underperforming Real Madrid players and was the subject of multiple boos by a notoriously demanding Bernabeu crowd.
The Spanish international recently came out to state that he was willing to stay behind at the club to fight for his place in the team. But with his last La Liga start coming way back in October, it would be in his best interest to consider his options elsewhere.
#3 James Rodriguez
The breakout star of the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez captured the imagination of the world with his displays for Colombia at the 2014 Mundial. He won the Puskas award for his screamer against Uruguay in the second round and also the Golden Boor for his overall efforts.
A marquee move was expected for the then Monaco midfielder and it came as no surprise when Real Madrid made him one of the most expensive players in history to bring him to the Bernabeu.
He spent the next three seasons at Real Madrid, winning seven trophies, but saw a massive reduction in his playing time upon the arrival of Zinedine Zidane as manager.
The search for regular playing time saw the 27-year-old undergo a two-year loan transfer to Bayern Munich and it proved immensely beneficial as the Colombian was a regular fixture in Bayern's sixth consecutive Bundesliga crown.
However, since Niko Kovac's appointment in the summer as Bayern boss, James once more finds himself on the fringes, having made just eight Bundesliga appearances so far this season.
Rodriguez then also hit out at Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic over his lack of playing time, with reports suggesting that he considers his Bayern days to be over. He is still only 27 and a move away from Bayern might resurrect his career.
#2 Cesc Fabregas
Another talented player who finds himself on the fringes due to a managerial change. Fabregas has been the epitome of excellence for the entirety of his career ever since bursting onto the scene as a talented midfielder.
The 31-year-old was named the Golden Boy in 2006, following his impressive displays for Arsenal and since then he has gone on to achieve a legendary career, winning almost all there is to win at club and international level.
From Arsenal to Barcelona, Fabregas has excelled in his role as a midfielder, proving himself to be an adept reader of the game. Since his arrival at Chelsea in 2014, Fabregas continued to flourish and was instrumental in helping the club win two Premier League titles.
However, since the arrival of Maurizio Sarri, the World Cup winner has seen himself relegated to the substitutes bench, as the Italian gaffer has shown a preference for Jorginho in Fabregas' preferred role.
The Spanish midfielder is one of a number of high profile players who could be available for free in the summer.
#1 Malcom
The subject of a highly controversial transfer in the summer, Malcom joined Barcelona during the summer of 2018. However, six months down from the highly publicized transfer and the Brazilian is finding out the harsh realities of being a player at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona have some of the most talented players in the world and some of them, especially in the forward line, can lay claim to being among the greatest in history in their respective positions, so breaking into such a team was never going to be a mean feat.
So far this season, Malcom has made just nine appearances in all competitions, with his only starts coming in matches in the Copa Del Rey. There have been some interests for the Brazilian winger and he might consider taking his chances elsewhere to end Barcelona nightmare.
