Having spent a lot of time in a well-established club, a move to lower league clubs could seem unnatural but there are some players who need the experience of playing in such leagues to regain the kind of sharpness that got them noticed in the first place.
And the best way to achieve that is to exploit the loan system to the fullest. Some of Europe’s top clubs often send out frustrated players out on loan to get some perspective back into their careers. Or some players go through injuries and need a move to regain the kind of form that made them top players.
Here are five players who have used the loan system for their benefit in recent years:
#5 Wilfried Zaha
Having been a promising talent for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson thought it fit to give the then 21-year-old a chance to shine with one of Europe’s top clubs in Manchester United. A lot was made over his transfer given the kind of potential he was oozing.
But for some reason or the other, Zaha never made it at Manchester United. Having joined the side permanently in May 2013 – even though he signed in January of that year – Zaha failed to impress Sir Alex or any Manchester United fan.
A loan move to Cardiff and then back to Crystal Palace helped him get back some of the confidence that earned him the move to the Premier League record winners in the first place. He moved back to Palace in early 2015 but the loan move there earned him the chance to win a place back in his former team.
He’s since been linked with moves to teams like Manchester City, Everton and West Ham – definite upgrades to his current side.
#4 Aaron Ramsey
Following a horrendous double leg break against Stoke City in 2009, Aaron Ramsey returned to Arsenal’s full first-team training only in 2010. He was then sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest and then back home to Cardiff for a period of one month each to regain his form.
And boy did it work. The Welshman is now amongst the first on the teamsheet for Arsenal – should he be fit – and is an automatic starter for his national side, Wales. Having been short of confidence and composure on his return from injury, the Welshman took the loan chances by the scruff of their necks and got his career back on track.
Ramsey has since been voted Arsenal’s Player of the Year and finished the UEFA European Championships 2016 as the top assist provider and as a part of the competition’s team of the tournament.
#3 Romelu Lukaku
A hugely promising talent signed from Belgian champions, RSC Anderlecht, Romelu Lukaku came to English shores with a lot of promise and the hope that he’d develop into Chelsea’s ‘next Didier Drogba’ but things didn’t follow that trajectory as planned.
Having spent a year with the Londoners, Lukaku moved to West Bromwich Albion on loan and came back to Chelsea a different player. He scored 17 goals for the Baggies in 38 appearances compared to only the 9 he scored in 23 appearances for the Londoners – a maximum of which came from the bench – the previous season.
Lukaku has since moved to Everton on a permanent deal and there’s been talk of Chelsea wanting to buy him back for a world-record fee. The loan move to West Brom and Everton – prior to moving there permanently – helped the Belgian tremendously.
#2 Jack Wilshere
On his day, Jack Wilshere is easily one of the best midfielders in all of Europe. He’s quick off the mark, he has the complete passing range and has the tenacity and the winning mentality that makes him special.
If not for the injuries, Wilshere would’ve already sealed his reputation as one of Arsenal’s and England’s best ever players. He’s that good. But the number of injuries he’s gone through in recent years mean he’s far behind the kind of player that was expected.
But, having come out of injuries at the end of last season, it struck the London man the hardest when he was excluded from playing for England in their recent matches under former manager Sam Allardyce. His loan move to Bournemouth, however, has put thinks back into perspective.
There's now talk of Wilshere replacing Santi Cazorla at the heart of Arsenal's midfielder after he signs a new long-term contract with the club. The more he plays for the Cherries, the more assured he is of an England starting spot under any future manager. It's all going perfectly for him.
#1 Victor Moses
Continuously considered surplus to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Victor Moses was sent out on loan to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United to gain first-team football and now, under the stewardship of Antonio Conte, Moses is an automatic starter in Chelsea’s first eleven challenging for the Premier League title.
The Nigerian has been sensational for the Italian manager and all the hard work of moving to the clubs on loan has paid off tremendously. Moses has been sensational for the Londoners this season contributing equally well both in attack and defence.
Having been sent out on loan so often early in his Chelsea career, Moses didn't give up and is finally reaping the benefits of the promise he showed to initially get the move to the Blues in 2012.
