5 players in Europe who need a fresh start at a new club

Real Madrid v AC Milan - International Champions Cup : News Photo
Danilo

With the transfer window now in full swing, there remain several players at clubs in desperate need of a fresh start next season.

Deemed surplus to requirements at their respective clubs, it could be a case of grabbing a bargain before deadline day. Here are five players requiring pastures new.


#5 Danilo - Real Madrid

After just two seasons at Real Madrid, it appears the time is up for Danilo. After a battle with Dani Carvajal for supremacy as the first choice right-back at the club, it's the Brazilian who has ultimately fallen short of the standards required.

Carvajal's consistency has been a key factor, with Danilo often appearing nervy and unsure of his ability when featuring for Real Madrid. While he did improve in the second half of the season, there was no real genuine sense he would kick on and displace his Spanish full-back rival.

Danilo, still only 26, wants to be a regular starter at club level and eventually replace Dani Alves as the number one right-back for Brazil. Doing that while at Real Madrid and in Carvajal's shadow would be difficult, so a move away suits the player very much at this point. Technically able, quick, and highly useful in attack, Danilo can still be extremely useful for a major European club.

Manchester City and Chelsea, craving full-back support, seem like ideal destinations.

#4 Lucas Perez - Arsenal

Arsenal v Lincoln City - The Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final : News Photo
Lucas Perez

The 28-year-old has only had one season at Arsenal since joining from Deportivo La Coruna last summer but it’s quite evident Arsene Wenger doesn’t rate him. The Spanish striker found his opportunities limited and the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette spells more misery for Perez.

While it appears the player isn’t the type to push Arsenal forward, Perez is still useful and could be an asset for another club. His pace, hard work and goal-scoring ability make him an interesting option in the market, and it he also won’t cost a fortune.

A return to Spain has been talked about but few teams will likely find the funds to bring him back, so unless a loan move occurs it looks like a return home can be ruled out.

#3 Moussa Sissoko - Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur v Watford - Premier League : News Photo
Moussa Sissoko

Mauricio Pochettino's men are desperate to offload the £30m flop, and despite the deal being a disaster it's still expected there will be plenty of suitors.

Spurs' move for the Frenchman came somewhat as a surprise given their astute spending, and many have since deemed the signing unnecessary. Sissoko started just eight Premier League games and recently stated that the season was the worst in his career so far.

Sissoko's performances have become widely known for being inconsistent and erratic, with the midfielder looking like a potential star one minute to proving completely invisible the next. With numbers packed in the Spurs midfield and new players being sought after, there is simply no future for Sissoko in North London.

Pochettino would like to recoup some of the £30m they spent on Sissoko last summer, but at the same time understand the player is seen as damaged goods and a huge risk. Sissoko on his day can be a powerful midfield threat, boasting power, speed and excellent dribbling ability.

These assets can't be ignored and staying in the Premier League remains a strong option, as does a return to France.

#2 Aymen Abdennour - Valencia

Valencia CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga : News Photo
Aymen Abdennour

Many good defenders have gone to Valencia and suddenly looked bad. It’s a cause and effect of what’s currently going on at the club, with an inability to provide any stability. Aymen Abdennour was one of the players tasked with plugging a leak at the club but ultimately it has not worked out for the man who was touted to replace Nicolas Otamendi.

Valencia have not been good to Abdennour, while the player hasn’t done anything for the club either. It means a separation looks likely and while the Moroccan has hardly impressed, there’s still plenty of talent there.

Abdennour is a mountain of a centre-back who looks to impose himself on opponents, primarily using his physical strength. He’s hard to defeat in aerial battles, while out-muscling him is a near impossible task. If a team with the right sort of system pick him up there’s no reason why he can’t be a top defender in Europe.

#1 Grzegorz Krychowiak - PSG

Paris Saint-Germain v AS Nancy-Lorraine - Ligue 1 : News Photo
Grzegorz Krychowiak

After an amazing time with Sevilla, it was time to move on to potentially bigger things for the Polish midfielder. His coach who he’d experienced so much success with at Sevilla, Unai Emery, packed him in his case when moving to Paris.

It’s been nothing short of a disaster for Krycho at PSG, however, and he hasn’t looked anywhere near the player who shone regularly for Sevilla. Emery has also strangely barely utilised the player, and the defensive midfielder must now look for a move away to resurrect what at one point looked an exciting career.

There will be plenty of suitors for Krycho too, who established himself at Sevilla as an energetic force in front of the defence breaking down attacks, but also shifting the ball assertively.

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