The January window may still be some way away but clubs are beginning to plot their transfer strategies for what’s set to be an unmatched winter of football across the globe, particularly in Europe’s biggest leagues.
Signing players midway through the season can be difficult due to various circumstances, so it could be a good time to assess which players might be on the move. The majority of the Premier League clubs will almost certainly be in the market for new players to aid their fight for the top four, whilst allowing some of their fringe players to leave for pastures new.
That being said, here are three players who should be looking to jump ship in January and pursue regular game time at new clubs.
#Aaron Wan-Bissaka—Manchester United
Diogo Dalot has established himself as Manchester United’s first-choice right-back this season under Erik ten Hag, limiting Aaron Wan-Bissaka to only four minutes of first-team action as a result.
But Dalot’s suspension for Man United’s weekend trip to Fulham laid bare the cracks in that department and Ten Hag’s lack of faith in the player gives a damning indictment of the English full-back’s standing at the club.
Wan-Bissaka has had injury problems this term, keeping him out of the squad for the majority of the season thus far. But in the bigger picture, the 24-year-old just doesn’t fit Ten Hag’s style of play at United and remains out of favour.
As a result, it won’t be surprising to see the Red Devils offload Wan-Bissaka in January and recruit a new right-back to compete with Dalot for the rest of the campaign.
#Donny Van de Beek—Manchester United
Another Man United misfit who could move on in January is midfielder Donny Van de Beek.
Since arriving at the club in 2020 from Ajax, Van de Beek, 25, has struggled to nail down a starting spot. In search of regular game time, the Dutch midfielder joined Everton on loan in the second half of last season but the move didn’t go as planned.
Ten Hag’s appointment by Man United was seen as encouraging news for Van de Beek, and despite the manager offering him chances to impress lately by starting him in United’s last three games before the Fulham clash, the 25-year-old has failed to grab those with both hands.
After his recent poor displays, Ten Hag has now warned Van de Beek that he must step up and prove himself or he could leave the club permanently.
#Hakim Ziyech—Chelsea
Signed from Ajax two years ago, Hakim Ziyech has struggled to find consistent form for Chelsea. Injuries, lack of consistency and failure to fully adapt to the demands of English football has seen Ziyech, 29, only manage to show glimpses of his brilliance.
Ziyech has only managed four Premier League outings this season, with only one of those coming as a starter. Persistently held back by injuries and change of managers at Chelsea, new pastures could allow the Moroccan international to revive his career.
The January transfer window could be the right time for Ziyech to say goodbye to the fans, and if Chelsea could recoup some of the money they paid for the playmaker, they surely would. A good World Cup in Qatar with Morocco should increase the 29-year-old’s chances of getting a new club in 2023.
