Post by QPR Report on Jun 30, 2009 14:59:30 GMT
Football 365 - The F365 Top Ten Loan Players...
With the top clubs buying up all the young talent they can get their hands on, there will be plenty of players available to go out on long loans this summer. We pick ten of the best options...
NB - We've discounted players who have already gone out on loan, hence the absence of Joe Hart etc.
10 - Franco Di Santo - Chelsea
In truth, Di Santo hasn't shown an awful lot in the few opportunities that he has been given to persuade that he has a future at Chelsea, but someone there seems to rate him. A deal to take him to Blackburn has been mentioned, but there are any number of bottom-half Premier League clubs that would gladly give him a regular game for the season. There's Also a possibility of Chelsea sending Daniel Sturridge straight out on loan, but will struggle to find anyone even willing to split those colossal wages.
9 - Danny Rose - Tottenham Hotspur
Another who has been impressive for England in Sweden, Rose is that most coveted of things - an Englishman with pace and a left foot. Again, there are many in front of him at Spurs, and will be even more should their pursuit of Stewart Downing come to its inevitable and merciful conclusion. A short spell at Watford last season didn't tell us an awful lot, and perhaps a Premier League club is not quite in his range just yet, but a top-half Championship side could be just the job. QPR perhaps? Reading?
8 - Jay Spearing - Liverpool
They think plenty of Spearing - a driving midfielder who can run all day - at Liverpool, but assuming one/both of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano stay his development may well be stunted in the Anfield reserves. However, if you believe the papers then both may do one, so it's perfectly possible he might get a few more chances very soon. However, in this age of instant success and demands, it's unlikely that Benitez will blood a young talent in such a crucial position without having a look at how he copes elsewhere first. A promoted team looking for some oomph in their midfield might be an option.
7 - Craig Gardner - Aston Villa
Impressive for the Under 21s in Sweden, Gardner has been on the fringes of the Aston Villa side for a few seasons now, but not ever really looking like becoming a fixture, and his tally of 32 starts since making his debut in 2005 proves that. Although the cruel might suggest he's decidedly average in most things he does, Gardner does have the advantage of being versatile, being able to play most places in midfield as well as at right-back. Could be an option for one of the promoted clubs to bring some stability to the middle of the pitch.
6 - Chris Gunter - Tottenham Hotspur
With Vedran Corluka, Pascal Chimbonda and Alan Hutton (Harry Redknapp even used Didier Zokora at right-back last season) ahead of him in the Spurs pecking order, Gunter would be a fool not to leap at the chance of leaving temporarily. Spent the latter end of last season at Nottingham Forest, and there's talk of him returning there for the full campaign, but Newcastle and Preston have also been mentioned as possible destinations.
5 - Jack Wilshere - Arsenal
Talked about as one of the most promising English talents in a generation, it's easy to forget that Wilshere won't reach his majority until January. However, the reason it's so easy to forget is the way he plays. He appears to have a skill and assurance of someone ten years older, and his versatility (he can play pretty much anywhere in midfield and behind the strikers) will be a plus for anyone in the loan market. Usually for someone his age one would think a Championship club would be appropriate for his development, but given Wilshere's ability one suspects he might be ready for the Premier League.
4 - Michael Mancienne - Chelsea
It's really a shame that Mancienne is at such a big club, given the lack of opportunities. If he was with say, Everton, he may well have a season under his belt and could be a genuine prospect for an England start. As it is, Mancienne has a mere two Premier League starts to his name, and is still rather untested as a top-flight player. There has been talk that he will be put on the transfer list, but that seems unlikely. The promise is clearly there, and a return to Wolves could be just the thing both clubs and the player need.
3 - David Ngog - Liverpool
Sounds rather odd when you consider that Ngog is the only genuine striker Liverpool have to back up Fernando Torres, but a loan move away from Anfield has been mentioned, with Roy Keane apparently, errr, keen to take him to Ipswich. Actually, it might not be quite so strange, given that Ngog only made two league starts last season, despite Torres being missing for 18 games. Rafa Benitez preferred the rather more prosaic talents of Dirk Kuyt up top, while one suspects Ryan Babel might be used as a striker (if he isn't sold) and Andriy Voronin - don't laugh - is returning to Anfield and has said he wants to stay.
2 - Ben Foster - Manchester United
This should be filed under 'Should' rather than 'Will', given that United have thus far shown no inclination to loan him out again. There's talk that Alex Ferguson will gradually phase Foster in and Edwin van der Sar out, but will that be enough for Fabio Capello? Nets is probably England's weakest position, with Foster looking like the most naturally gifted option, but can Capello legitimately pick a man who will probably only play a third of the season at best? The trouble is, where will he go? Should he even be allowed to leave, Ferguson will be careful about which side Foster goes to. Most Premier League clubs have an established keeper already, and to be cannon fodder at somewhere like Hull won't do, so a return to Stoke or possibly Sunderland look like two of the only viable options.
1 - Jo - Manchester City
Written off as a flop before Christmas last year, Jo proved that was hasty to say the least by bagging five in 11 starts for Everton. With City's summer spending continuing apace, Jo hasn't a prayer of getting anywhere near the first team, so another loan is the best option for him. Indeed, it looks like the best option for the club as well - as things stand they won't get anything like the price they paid should they try to sell. However, a 15/20-goal season somewhere else and they will either have a saleable asset, or a dangerous striking option. Fulham, or Everton again could be interested.
Nick Miller
www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_5407052,00.html
With the top clubs buying up all the young talent they can get their hands on, there will be plenty of players available to go out on long loans this summer. We pick ten of the best options...
NB - We've discounted players who have already gone out on loan, hence the absence of Joe Hart etc.
10 - Franco Di Santo - Chelsea
In truth, Di Santo hasn't shown an awful lot in the few opportunities that he has been given to persuade that he has a future at Chelsea, but someone there seems to rate him. A deal to take him to Blackburn has been mentioned, but there are any number of bottom-half Premier League clubs that would gladly give him a regular game for the season. There's Also a possibility of Chelsea sending Daniel Sturridge straight out on loan, but will struggle to find anyone even willing to split those colossal wages.
9 - Danny Rose - Tottenham Hotspur
Another who has been impressive for England in Sweden, Rose is that most coveted of things - an Englishman with pace and a left foot. Again, there are many in front of him at Spurs, and will be even more should their pursuit of Stewart Downing come to its inevitable and merciful conclusion. A short spell at Watford last season didn't tell us an awful lot, and perhaps a Premier League club is not quite in his range just yet, but a top-half Championship side could be just the job. QPR perhaps? Reading?
8 - Jay Spearing - Liverpool
They think plenty of Spearing - a driving midfielder who can run all day - at Liverpool, but assuming one/both of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano stay his development may well be stunted in the Anfield reserves. However, if you believe the papers then both may do one, so it's perfectly possible he might get a few more chances very soon. However, in this age of instant success and demands, it's unlikely that Benitez will blood a young talent in such a crucial position without having a look at how he copes elsewhere first. A promoted team looking for some oomph in their midfield might be an option.
7 - Craig Gardner - Aston Villa
Impressive for the Under 21s in Sweden, Gardner has been on the fringes of the Aston Villa side for a few seasons now, but not ever really looking like becoming a fixture, and his tally of 32 starts since making his debut in 2005 proves that. Although the cruel might suggest he's decidedly average in most things he does, Gardner does have the advantage of being versatile, being able to play most places in midfield as well as at right-back. Could be an option for one of the promoted clubs to bring some stability to the middle of the pitch.
6 - Chris Gunter - Tottenham Hotspur
With Vedran Corluka, Pascal Chimbonda and Alan Hutton (Harry Redknapp even used Didier Zokora at right-back last season) ahead of him in the Spurs pecking order, Gunter would be a fool not to leap at the chance of leaving temporarily. Spent the latter end of last season at Nottingham Forest, and there's talk of him returning there for the full campaign, but Newcastle and Preston have also been mentioned as possible destinations.
5 - Jack Wilshere - Arsenal
Talked about as one of the most promising English talents in a generation, it's easy to forget that Wilshere won't reach his majority until January. However, the reason it's so easy to forget is the way he plays. He appears to have a skill and assurance of someone ten years older, and his versatility (he can play pretty much anywhere in midfield and behind the strikers) will be a plus for anyone in the loan market. Usually for someone his age one would think a Championship club would be appropriate for his development, but given Wilshere's ability one suspects he might be ready for the Premier League.
4 - Michael Mancienne - Chelsea
It's really a shame that Mancienne is at such a big club, given the lack of opportunities. If he was with say, Everton, he may well have a season under his belt and could be a genuine prospect for an England start. As it is, Mancienne has a mere two Premier League starts to his name, and is still rather untested as a top-flight player. There has been talk that he will be put on the transfer list, but that seems unlikely. The promise is clearly there, and a return to Wolves could be just the thing both clubs and the player need.
3 - David Ngog - Liverpool
Sounds rather odd when you consider that Ngog is the only genuine striker Liverpool have to back up Fernando Torres, but a loan move away from Anfield has been mentioned, with Roy Keane apparently, errr, keen to take him to Ipswich. Actually, it might not be quite so strange, given that Ngog only made two league starts last season, despite Torres being missing for 18 games. Rafa Benitez preferred the rather more prosaic talents of Dirk Kuyt up top, while one suspects Ryan Babel might be used as a striker (if he isn't sold) and Andriy Voronin - don't laugh - is returning to Anfield and has said he wants to stay.
2 - Ben Foster - Manchester United
This should be filed under 'Should' rather than 'Will', given that United have thus far shown no inclination to loan him out again. There's talk that Alex Ferguson will gradually phase Foster in and Edwin van der Sar out, but will that be enough for Fabio Capello? Nets is probably England's weakest position, with Foster looking like the most naturally gifted option, but can Capello legitimately pick a man who will probably only play a third of the season at best? The trouble is, where will he go? Should he even be allowed to leave, Ferguson will be careful about which side Foster goes to. Most Premier League clubs have an established keeper already, and to be cannon fodder at somewhere like Hull won't do, so a return to Stoke or possibly Sunderland look like two of the only viable options.
1 - Jo - Manchester City
Written off as a flop before Christmas last year, Jo proved that was hasty to say the least by bagging five in 11 starts for Everton. With City's summer spending continuing apace, Jo hasn't a prayer of getting anywhere near the first team, so another loan is the best option for him. Indeed, it looks like the best option for the club as well - as things stand they won't get anything like the price they paid should they try to sell. However, a 15/20-goal season somewhere else and they will either have a saleable asset, or a dangerous striking option. Fulham, or Everton again could be interested.
Nick Miller
www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_5407052,00.html