5 players who need to leave Premier League

It’s getting to the time of the year where teams assess what they need for the second half of the season. Managers are busy plotting which players could strengthen their squads and who are simply holding them back.

But while the clubs treat this as an important milestone in the season, it is also a crucial time in the careers of many players.

Some stars are being held back by circumstances at their clubs, where perhaps they do not fit the manager’s style, are out of favour or have just become stale.

This year more than ever, this is of importance as regular first-team football is often a requirement of national teams ahead of the World Cup in the summer – a competition that every top player is aiming to be involved in.

With players wary of missing out on Russia 2018, and some simply needing to inject new life into their careers, here are five stars who could use a shakeup this January.

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# Eliaquim Mangala

Although he has managed to push his way to the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad, the France international defender is only there because of injuries to John Stones and, earlier this season, Vincent Kompany. And even with this in mind, the Catalan is searching for additional solutions in that area of the field ahead of the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old former Porto man quite simply is not the right fit for Guardiola. What he has in physique he lacks in technical abilities, and the coach would far rather it was the other way around.

Coming to his peak, he is a figure who needs to play regularly if he is to really achieve anything in the game. He had a moderately successful loan spell in Valencia last season, and a similar move in January should now be considered.

Currently, he is rotting and allowing his talents to go to waste. He has played only 51 Premier League matches in the last four seasons, just three of which have come under the current boss. With City’s system proving to be highly successful, there is simply no room for him at the Etihad any longer.

“I am very realistic. I know everything can happen,” he admitted last month. “I am here today. Whether I will be here in two months, next summer, one year, you never know.

“The only thing you can do is to be focused on what I can control.”

This is an admirable attitude and one that will only attract suitors. If things fall into place, and admittedly this is a long shot, the World Cup is not yet out of reach.

# Sofiane Boufal

Boufal's first season was largely unsuccessful, with just over 1100 PL minutes play.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder arrived in the Premier League in the summer of 2016, having been attracted to Southampton by French boss Claude Puel. He came with the expectation of being labelled the new Riyad Mahrez, but while he has struggled to live up to such a formidable billing, there is little doubt that there is a fine player bursting to get out.

Only on occasion has he shown that at St Mary’s, though. His first season was largely unsuccessful, with just over 1100 Premier League minutes play.

Predominantly a substitute in the early part of the present campaign, he arrived on the field against West Brom with the game scoreless in mid-October, only to win it with a stunning solo effort that drew comparisons with a certain Lionel Messi – an indication of the incredible qualities he possesses.

Since then, he has been afforded more regular match time and set up his side’s goal against Manchester City last week, but there is a feeling that his talents might be put to better use elsewhere.

Inter and Fiorentina have both shown an interest in the Morocco international in the past, while a move to La Liga could also be a good option for a player who relies upon technique more than speed.

Before he moved to England, he scored 11 goals and created four more with Lille, which shows the offensive potential he has. Southampton, though, is perhaps not the place for it to be unlocked.

# Islam Slimani

Islam Slimani arrived at Premier League champions Leicester in the summer of 2016.

It was off the back of an incredible season with Sporting CP that Algeria international striker Islam Slimani arrived at Premier League champions Leicester in the summer of 2016. He has scored 31 goals in 46 appearances for the Portuguese outfit and was one of the Foxes headline signings as they limbered up in an attempt to defend their English crown.

Life in England started off perfectly as he scored a couple of goals on his debut against Burnley to help Leicester to a 3-0 win, while there was also the notable highlight of netting against Porto in the Champions League.

But after a rapid start, Slimani struggled to make much of an impression thereafter, scoring only a couple of goals after the turn of the year.

This term, he has become even more peripheral and has yet to get off the mark in the league, often being left on the bench. When he has come on, only once has he been afforded more than 16 minutes in which to shine.

Four goals in three EFL Cup ties, however, prove that he can still pack a punch.

At 29, he is approaching the peak of his powers and being used as a bit-part player should not be considered enough for him. Although there is no World Cup carrot to dangle as Algeria failed to qualify, if he is to reach his potential, it may be time for him to assess his options.

# Marko Arnautovic

Arnautovic contributed almost nothing to their cause in the 10 matches he has played thus far.

A £25 million summer signing, the failure of Marko Arnautovic to impose himself at the London Stadium is typical of West Ham’s woeful start to the campaign. The Hammers find themselves in the relegation zone and the Austria international has contributed almost nothing to their cause in the 10 matches he has played thus far.

Since the arrival of David Moyes at the club in November, the 28-year-old has seen his role in the team change. He has switched from his favoured position on the left onto a role on the right, though that has had a precious little impact.

Though former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves has belittled the decision of Moyes to ask the Austrian to switch wings – “You’ve paid £25m for him, play him in his best position” – the Scot appears within his rights given how frustrating a figure the former Stoke man cut in his more natural role.

Gary Neville has already slammed the forward’s attitude this term, arguing that he “thinks he is better than he is”, and while that prompted an angry outburst from the player, targeting the former England defender’s poor coaching record, it has seen no revival of fortunes on the field.

West Ham are eyeing Paris Saint-Germain’s Hatem Ben Arfa for a January move, and that could spell the end for Arnautovic.

# Wilfried Bony

At his peak, Bony netted 17 times in a single season in England’s top flight back in 2013-14.

Life isn’t easy at Swansea, and few players are more acutely aware of that than striker Wilfried Bony. At his peak, he netted 17 times in a single season in England’s top flight back in 2013-14 and had been on his way to matching that tally the following campaign when he moved to Manchester City.

A lack of regular game time at the Etihad Stadium has crippled him, and he has mustered only nine goals in the last three years. Two of these came during a loan spell back at Swansea last season, and he has since made his move back to the Liberty Stadium permanent for the best part of £12 million.

The Swans, though, have yet to see much return on that investment. Indeed, he has played nine top-team matches so far this season and only got off the mark against Stoke last weekend. Thigh problems have hampered his efforts, but incredibly Swansea have scored only two Premier League goal in the seven matches he has been involved in when he has been on the field.

There was the talk of a potential summer move to Lille, and it appears that a switch away from England may benefit the player in the long run. He needs to regain his confidence, and at a club struggling as much as Swansea are currently, that appears impossible.