5 English players who should consider moving abroad

It's a curious fact within European football that English players rarely travel elsewhere to play their football. The Premier League has, admittedly, dominated the football landscape for over 25 years, being continually praised as the world's best league to play in, and that maybe a reason for this.

Players are eager to test their ability against the world's best: it's why England's top-flight attracts some of the finest talent from around the world, including Latin America and Africa too.

However, competitor leagues such as La Liga and the Bundesliga have got closer to the Premier League in recent seasons - it could even be argued that England has not had the strongest league in over five years now.

Spanish, French and Italian players usually have no issues with heading to England to play their trade, making it a strange observation that English-born players do not tend to replicate this approach.

There's certainly plenty to gain from trying out another league as new tactics, different playing styles and adapting to a new language and understand new team-mates from various cultural backgrounds is all a challenging prospect.

This slideshow will take a look at five English players who - for various reasons - should consider making a move abroad to another of Europe's top leagues.

#5 Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge needs a move away from Anfield to restart his career

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge has simply found no luck at Anfield in recent seasons: plagued by injury after injury, even when fit enough to start games his manager Jurgen Klopp didn't seem keen on playing him.

Arguably inferior players like Divock Origi found more minutes than the Englishman. What cannot be forgotten is just how good a striker Sturridge actually is, his performances alongside Luis Suarez during the 2013/14 campaign were sublime as they established themselves as the league's best attacking duo.

When fully fit and firing, he had few equals in terms of pure finishing ability; Sturridge is capable of scoring all types of goals. His long-term future remains unclear at present but it almost certainly will not involve Klopp and Liverpool.

His options for moves in England, too, seem small. Most of the 'big' teams are well-served in the striking departments, with only Arsenal perhaps in need of extra firepower, but they've sought out other options for the position in Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who continues to be linked with a Premier League switch.

This is why a move to Europe could be beneficial for Sturridge. With his natural footballing ability, it's not difficult to see him doing well at any number of European powerhouses. Even Dortmund themselves will be seeking a replacement once Aubameyang inevitably departs the club.

Sturridge is also a forward who enjoys link-up play, utilising both trickery and intelligent movement to beat his opponents so the Bundesliga, with its free-scoring nature and weaker defences might represent a great environment for him to flourish in.

With the World Cup in Russia this summer drawing ever closer, a quality six-month spell in one of Europe's top leagues could be just what's required to get Sturridge on the plane ahead of the tournament.

#4 Jack Wilshere

Sadly too often a sight for Arsenal supporters during Wilshere's career

It's been disappointing for Arsenal fans and neutrals alike to watch the seeming decline of Jack Wilshere over these past few years.

Once hailed as the best English talent since Wayne Rooney, all the early promise has evaporated as Wilshere has unfortunately succumbed to numerous injuries that have kept him out for extended periods at a time.

He even spent last season on loan at Bournemouth such was his fall from grace.

Thankfully though, Wilshere has slowly returned to some decent form this season back in north London: while not yet one of the first names on the team sheet - partly given his injury frequency - his performances when called upon have displayed both growth and potential to develop with time.

The club have reportedly offered him a new contract extension, but it is rumoured to have significantly lowered wages, something which must frustrate someone of Wilshere's ability.

This is another reason as to why Wilshere should seriously consider making a transfer move away from England, because none of his compatriots are better suited to playing elsewhere based on their playing style.

Pep Guardiola's praise for the midfielder after an excellent display against Barcelona in the Champions League, then just aged 19, speaks volumes.

His free-flowing movement with the ball at his feet, awareness of spaces around him were reminiscent of both Xavi and Andres Iniesta - as well as a number of fleet-footed Spanish creative-minded midfielders.

His style contrasts to the typical physicality that revolves around England, which is part of the reason why he sustains injuries with such regularity.

Someone who loves the ballat his feet and making things happen, no Englishman would have suited playing under Guardiola's famed tiki-taka football better than Wilshere.

It is, therefore, not hard at all to imagine the Englishman thriving in Spanish football, where his movement and passing skills would be lauded. In a league not known for its physicality, Wilshere's body would be given the break it so necessarily needs, allowing his great footballing brain to get to work instead.

#3 Harry Kane

Tottenham's main striker was in sublime form in 2017

The reason for Kane to move to Europe is the simplest of everyone featured in this slideshow: his goalscoring talent is simply too good to remain in England.

Kane has transformed from a flawed but hungry forward into a truly world-class attacker. Not only a goalscorer now, his link-up play and passing range this season have been unbelievable too.

His scoring record has remained incredible also, with the 24-year-old finally getting the respect he deserves. His time at Tottenham, as successful as it has been, should be up soon.

Mauricio Pochettino has assembled a fine squad to watch on their day, but there just has not been adequate investment to take them towards the next level - where they can genuinely challenge for silverware every season.

A player of Kane's ability needs to be playing at the elite level and it does not seem as though his current club can provide this, regardless of how much he loves playing for them.

There was speculation surrounding a possible move to Manchester United but that seems completely unlikely now that Alexis Sanchez's move there is imminent. Europe's true powerhouses are where Harry should be aiming for anyway, as he's definitely good enough.

The most probable destination would potentially be Real Madrid, a well-trodden path for Tottenham's best players in recent years - Luka Modric and Gareth Bale - while the timing would suit both parties: Kane is ready to unleash his talent at the highest level as Cristiano Ronaldo is on a steep decline in form and finishing ability.

Madrid have already reportedly enquired about his availability and it's an exciting prospect to imagine Kane leading the line in Spain from potentially next season onwards. Bale has enjoyed great success since making a then world-record fee in 2013 and there's no reason why Kane cannot replicate that too.

#2 Phil Jones

Jones is among the best natural defenders in the league

At first, this may seem a curious choice, but there are reasons for Phil Jones to think about broadening his footballing horizons. Acclaimed by Sir Alex Ferguson as the 'next Duncan Edwards' upon signing for Manchester United from Blackburn Rovers, injuries have disrupted his chance of getting a consistent and long run in the first-team.

On his day though, there are no better English defenders out there. He's physically imposing, strong on the ground and in the air, and capable with the ball at his feet; Jones is a good all-rounder. At 25, his best years are ahead of him, if he can hopefully stay free of injury.

A move elsewhere in Europe could then give his career the boost it needs. Jones would be best suited to one league in particular, and that's Italy's Serie A. Playing there is a defender's dream, with tactics and formations ruling while solid backlines are very important.

Italian football is far slower than the rough-and-tumble of the Premier League, something which would benefit Jones's fragile injury record. A move here would allow his natural defensive qualities to come to the fore.

His predecessor at Manchester United, Nemanja Vidic, had a similar defensive style and also made the move to Italy with Inter Milan, but it was much too late (joined at the age of 33) to make a positive impact.

In comparison, Jones has time on his side and equally the defensive capability to become a mainstay for many years to come.

#1 Andy Carroll

Carroll could wave farewell to England and seek a new opportunity abroad

It has come as a surprise to everyone to see Andy Carroll's name linked with a shock transfer to Chelsea this January. The big front man has struggled to get a good run in the West Ham team since signing for them in 2012.

He's yet another sad example of an English talent being plagued by problematic injuries. Carroll hasn't had a great season since his breakout for Newcastle all the way back in 2010 but the ability is definitely there: when fit his size and power are a handful for any defence to cope with.

It would be interesting to see Carroll make a move to the Bundesliga, as it could just help instigate a revival for him.

There are numerous examples in recent years of players who have struggled in England but thrived upon arrival in Germany - his current teammate Javier Hernandez, Anthony Modeste at Blackburn are two prime examples.

There's no reason as to why Carroll could not be successful himself, as he'd be playing in a league where free-flowing play is encouraged and his powerful presence could dominate the league's defenders if given the opportunity in a team who provides him with adequate service regularly.

Stefan Kiessling and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have found great success recently, while the possibility of new surroundings helping to bring out the best in players could prove beneficial for Carroll in this instance.

At 29, he's still got a few years left and if he stays injury-free, there's no reason why he cannot flourish away from home comforts - where there would be less pressure on him to perform too, given his injury record.

He's got a refreshing mix of good skill with the ball at his feet, especially for a big man, as well as aerial ability to rival any defensive powerhouse, so a move away from England could work wonders for Carroll in future.