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The January transfer window gives opportunities for teams to identify their problems in the squad and strengthen those positions to ensure the club has a good finish to the season. The window is not only about buying players but also provides the opportunities for sending their fringe or promising young players on loan to gain valuable game time. Loan experience will help them get useful match practice, which will suit the player and the club in the long term.Let us look at the five players who should go out on loan this window:
#1 Adnan Januzaj
The Belgian international’s improvement last campaign was one of the few undoubted successes Manchester United enjoyed under the often criticized David Moyes. The youngster took everyone by storm with two well-taken goals against Sunderland to complete a come-from-behind victory for the Red Devils.
Since then, he became a regular for the club under the Scot manager. But after his departure, Januzaj has found it difficult to get regular game time. When Louis van Gaal was appointed as the manager last June, many expected him to follow his management philosophy by blooding young players into the squad.
To his credit, the Dutchman has managed to do the same by giving an extended run for youngsters such as Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and James Wilson. However, it is surprising to see the 19-year-old Januzaj alone become a relatively marginalized figure for Manchester United so far this season.
The winger has started just the four games this season and has often been called on only as a substitute. The reason for his omission from the first team remains unclear. Hence, a loan move for regular first team football will make sense.
Recent rumours have linked him with a loan move to Real Sociedad, which would allow Januzaj to reunite with Moyes. Such a move would make sense for all parties if Van Gaal feels the player has to mature and he cannot offer him enough game time. It will also give him enough matches under his belt to convince Van Gaal of his real ability.
#2 Yaya Sanogo
When Sanogo was signed in the 2013 summer from Ligue 1 side Auxerre, he was termed as an exciting young talent with a great future ahead of him. The French striker has an impressive goalscoring record for his country at the youth level. But he has failed to find the net with such regularity in an Arsenal shirt since signing for them.
After a strong showing in pre-season, the 21-year-old has scored just one goal (against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League) in six appearances this term. Hence, a loan spell may provide him with the perfect opportunity to hone his talent.
He is not short of suitors either as Bordeaux have publicly announced their interest in taking the frontman on loan. Their president Jean-Louis Triaud said: “He wants to come to us – it’s a certainty. We asked for Arsenal to keep us informed.”
But the problems is Arsene Wenger wants to loan Yaya Sanogo to a Premier League club to help him get used to the league. When asked about Sanogo going out on loan, the Arsenal boss said: “It’s a possibility. I would prefer him to go to a Premier League club.”
Even in the EPL, he is not short on suitors as Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers are ready to take the French under-21 player on loan for the rest of the season.
#3 Joel Campbell
The Costa Rican striker has been with the Gunners for four seasons, but he made his debut in the Gunners’ jersey only in this season. He spent the previous three seasons on loans away from the club because he couldn’t get a work permit to play in England. His last loan move move was with Olympiakos, where he was remembered for the goal he scored against Manchester United in the round of sixteen first leg of last season’s Champions League.
He had a good World Cup in Brazil last year, where he helped Costa Rica qualify from the Group of Death at the expense of England and Italy to reach a full deserved quarter-final place. It gave him the confidence to stay there to fight for his place instead of going on another loan move.
That decision didn’t turn out quite well for him, since he hardly spent any time playing for Arsenal this season in the league. The 22-year-old has managed just the 4 substitute EPL appearances for the Gunners so far this campaign. In order to develop his talent, a player must play on a regular basis and it seems that will not be a possibility for him at Arsenal in the second half of season. Hence, another loan move may help his career.
In recent times, Campbell has been linked with a loan move to West Bromwich Albion which can help him show his real ability. He could follow the footsteps of Romelu Lukaku, who spent his first Premier League season as a loanee with the Baggies from Chelsea. Also, with Berahino keen to move in the window, this could be the perfect scenario for Joel Campbell to get regular first team football.
#4 Mohamed Salah
Salah's impressive displays in the Basel jersey earned him a nickname as the ‘Egyptian Messi’. And soon he attracted interest from various corners of Europe. Jose Mourinho was the first to act when he signed the winger last January.
Byt Salah has struggled to get regular first team football and has featured in only 16 games for the Blues throughout 2014. Since Mourinho has many options in the midfield and in Salah’s position, the player is struggling to get consistent playing time.
Hence, to acquire some much-needed experience on the pitch, the winger could leave the club during the winter transfer window. If he becomes available for a loan spell, various clubs across Europe will be prepared to offer him the escape route from London.
But just like Wenger, Mourinho would prefer the 22-year-old move to an English club to get used to the Premier League. Hence, a reported loan move to Liverpool could very well happen since the Merseyside outfit are neither challenging Chelsea in the league nor in Europe. Also, getting a chance to play regularly with a top club might be just what Mourinho needs of Salah.
#5 Kurt Zouma
With so many seniors playing almost every match, it is no wonder that another youngster in a Blue shirt has made the list. With Mourinho playing virtually the same team week after week, getting playing time for young upcoming players is hard to find in his squad.
The 19-year-old centre back is one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League. After spending three years with the French side Saint Etienne, he signed for the Blues in advance a year ago and joined them last summer. So far, he has featured in just 3 games this season and all of them were substitute appearances. Mourinho could easily ship him to another club to get him some more minutes on the field.
Zouma’s potential is huge. He is very strong player with a style that reminds fans of a younger John Terry. It is no wonder that many consider him as the long term replacement for the Blues captain. But in order to fulfill his potential, he needs to develop properly as a player with regular playing time.
There were some reports on interest from Besiktas for the youngster. A few EPL clubs from the bottom half of the table are also said to be interested in his services for the remainder of the season. It is up to Mourinho to make the final decision.
