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Premier League clubs have spent big once again this summer, landing most of their key targets,
However, some players, who are seemingly surplus to requirement at their current clubs, could not move on. In a few cases, their clubs refused to let them go. On that note, here's a look at five such Premier League players who should have left their clubs this summer:
#5 Ross Barkley
Chelsea have one of the best squads in the Premier League this season. Thomas Tuchel has the liberty to play any formation he wants, and still have a really strong bench at his disposal.
However, Ross Barkley is one player who may not get too many chances this season. The Englishman had his jersey number handed to Mateo Kovacic. Only after deadline day, the former Everton midfielder was added to Chelsea's squad.
There were a few offers on the table for Barkley, but a move didn't materialise. One report suggests he had a deal in place to join West Bromwich Albion. But they backed out after his wage demands were off-limits for them.
Thomas Tuchel has one piece of advice for Barkley, saying:
"All the advice I can give to Ross right now and what I did say was: 'Stay humble, get it off your shoulders, all the opinions, all the expectations from everybody, all the past, what could have been, if I did this, if I did that.'"
#4 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Arsenal spent the most of any Premier League club this summer. But the Ainsley Maitland-Niles transfer saga made the biggest headlines. Everton wanted to sign the Englishman, and he was keen to move on, but Mikel Arteta blocked the move.
A move to Everton would have been best for all parties, as Arsenal do not have any plans for Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Moreover, Everton need a player like him in their squad. However, the Gunners manager decided to keep the player, and to confirm his decision, he said:
"Any private conversations with players, on the role we believe they can have in the team, is always discussed openly but privately, and that is how we resolve the matters. I am happy he has stayed; that was our intention; and he is another player in the squad."
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has made five Premier League appearances this season, and has one assist to his name.
#3 Tanguy Ndombele
Tanguy Ndombele has had an indifferent stint in the Premier League. He was touted as one of the best players to have graced Ligue1. With many top clubs chasing him, it was Tottenham Hotspur who managed to snap him up.
However, the move has not been fruitful for Ndombele, as he has had issues with the last two managers at the club. A transfer away from the club, even on loan, would have been the best solution for all parties. But the Frenchman has remained at Spurs.
Speaking about Ndombele's situation earlier this summer, Nuno Espírito Santo said:
"What happened in the past, I can't even think about, I don't mention out of respect. What I can tell you is that Tanguy is with us; he works but we have to speak honestly and to take the best out of Tanguy [it] has to come from himself."
"I don't want to go much further than that, but it has to come from himself. We already had a chance to talk, but it must come from himself. I said it before; my job here is not to convince players to play for Tottenham Hotspur; it is to prepare players to play for Tottenham Hotspur."
It looks like Nuno Espírito Santo may be giving Ndombele a chance at the club. But it remains to be seen if the Frenchman will be a success in the Premier League.
#2 Phil Jones
Manchester United got Raphael Varane this summer, which has pushed Phil Jones further down their pecking order. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly ahead of the Englishman. So the former Blackburn Rovers star should have left the Old Trafford club this summer.
However, the main issue for Phil Jones wasn't Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's need for another centre-back in the squad. The injury-plagued Jones has recently returned from a long layoff. But he stands little chance of making the first team of the Premier League giants any time soon.
So a move away from Old Trafford would have been ideal for Phil Jones. He should have a few suitors, as he still has a couple of seasons of top-flight football left in him.
#1 Hamza Choudhury
Hamza Choudhury was close to leaving Leicester City this summer. The midfielder had interest from Premier League clubs, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United.
Brendan Rodgers aims to take Leicester City into the Champions League next season, and Choudhury is clearly not in his plans. The former Liverpool manager has enough resources at his disposal in the midfield department, and was ready to let the Englishman this summer.
Choudhury needs to sort out his future soon, as the midfielder needs to start playing regularly. He has the talent to do well at any mid-table Premier League side, and needs to push for a transfer in January.
