From Van de Beek to Alexis Sanchez, who are Europe's odd men out?
Donny van de Beek wants to leave United after his tantrum on the bench, while Alexis Sanchez’s cryptic Instagram post points to an Inter exit… but which other frustrated stars could be on the move?
- Several disgruntled players could move when the window opens on January 1
- Alexis Sanchez has deleted an Instagram post that appeared to nod to his future
- Donny van de Beek was left frustrated after his move to Everton fell through
- Alexandre Lacazette could be used in a swap with Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri
This season may only be a couple of months old but we’ve already witnessed sideline tantrums, frosty glares, and threats of quitting from players who have not hesitated to express their disgust at a lack of playing time.
Inter Milan’s Alexis Sanchez became the latest to make his frustration known as he took to social media to take aim at manager Simone Inzaghi for playing him for a total of just 70 minutes this term.
With tensions rising for a number of players who have barely played any minutes since the start of the season, several could be on the move this January.
Here, Sportsmail takes a closer look at European football’s odd men out who could be making a switch in the winter window.
Donny van de Beek (top) has found himself practically glued to Manchester United’s bench
Sanchez could be on his way out of Inter Milan after taking to social media to protest against his lack of playing time.
The now-deleted post – which suggested that he is unhappy with his role at the Italian giants – is unlikely to have impressed Inter chiefs, who remain desperate to cut costs.
The Chilean forward has played just 70 minutes under Inzaghi so far this season and is yet to start a match.
He made his frustration clear on the social media website, writing: ‘Realise that you can be worth a lot, but if you are in the wrong place, you are not going to shine.’
The former Arsenal man has a habit of ditching clubs when his playing time starts to dwindle. The 32-year-old joined the Serie A side in 2019 following a disappointing spell at Manchester United, which saw him appear just 32 times overall.
Alexis Sanchez could be on his way out of Inter after protesting over his lack of playing time
Donny van de Beek (Manchester United)
If Sanchez’s post hinted at unhappiness, Donny van de Beek’s recent actions have practically screamed it.
The Dutchman was caught on camera angrily throwing his chewing gum to the floor and being consoled by team-mates after he was left on the bench for the final minutes of United’s Champions League win over Villarreal.
The 24-year-old has started just two games this season – in the Carabao Cup exit to West Ham and the Champions League defeat by Young Boys when he was replaced at half-time – and played five minutes in the Premier League as a substitute against Newcastle.
His career has stagnated since he joined United from Ajax for £40million a year ago but Van de Beek’s fury has seemingly boiled over following the Villareal clash.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed he understands Van de Beek’s frustration but has warned that there is no room for sulkers in his squad.
Van de Beek was keen on a loan move to Everton after his representatives held talks with the Merseyside club last summer, but it was blocked by United on deadline day.
He is now ready to make another attempt to leave United in January after his Old Trafford career hit a new low, with Everton’s director of football. Marcel Brands, refusing to rule out a fresh approach for the midfielder.
Donny van de Beek reacts a minute from time after failing to be used as a substitute for United
His team-mates had console a furious van de Beek (centre) in the Manchester United dugout
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
Despite scoring a hat-trick against Mallorca in September, a Bernabeu exit could be on the cards for Marco Asensio.
The disgruntled star has threatened to leave Real Madrid in January after feeling provoked by Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The Spaniard’s progress at Madrid was stunted by a horrific knee injury he sustained in July 2019 which forced him to miss 11 months of action.
Marco Asensio has threatened to leave Real Madrid in January after being left disgruntled
He then fell out of favour with former manager Zinedine Zidane and struggled to hold a regular place down, which consequently saw him snubbed by Spain boss Luis Enrique for Euro 2020.
His misfortune has continued under Ancelotti, who has started him for just two games so far this term.
Arsenal did some of their summer shopping at the Bernabeu, snapping up Martin Odegaard, and reportedly went back to raid the Spanish side for Asensio too. But the move was blocked by Ancelotti.
Mikel Arteta could reportedly return in January for the midfielder, while an array of other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton, are also said to be interested.
The 25-year-old scored a hat-trick last month as Real Madrid beat Mallorca convincingly 6-1
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus)
Juventus are prepared to let Aaron Ramsey leave for nothing in the winter transfer window.
The Wales international has struggled to command a place under manager Max Allegri, having played just three times in Serie A and only once in the Champions League for the Bianconeri this season.
Ramsey is on huge money at Juventus, pocketing £400,000 per week, and the Old Lady are willing to shift him, according to The Sun.
The midfielder could make a return home to the Premier League with the possibility of several offers in January, with West Ham, Everton and Newcastle all said to be on high alert.
Aaron Ramsey (left) has struggled to cement a regular starting spot under Max Allegri (right)
Edinson Cavani (Manchester United)
Edinson Cavani only signed a new contract at Old Trafford in May after a promising first season in English football, but he was immediately dealt a blow as United re-signed fan favourite Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s return has knocked the Uruguayan down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and he faces a fight to start regularly.
The Norwegian manager tends to use just one centre forward and, these days, that means Ronaldo will get the nod in the No 9 role more often than not.
Cavani has started only one game this season and has come off the bench in just three others.
The 34-year-old is now ‘thinking about’ leaving Old Trafford when the transfer window reopens amid interest from Barcelona, according to El Grafico in Argentina.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s (left) arrival has seen Edinson Cavani (right) fall out of favour at United
Riqui Puig (Barcelona)
Ronald Koeman’s lack of appreciation for midfielder Riqui Puig is no secret and the player has made little effort to conceal his feelings towards the Barca boss either.
The homegrown talent was hailed by fans as the Catalans’ next great midfielder but he has barely featured for Koeman over the past two seasons, getting just two LaLiga starts last term and none so far this campaign.
The frosty relationship between manager and player was laid bare last month as the 22-year-old’s ill-feeling towards the coach was caught on camera.
Puig could be seen staring at the Dutchman while sitting on the bench during a game against Cadiz.
Barcelona’s Riqui Puig (right) gave Ronald Koeman a telling stare during the 0-0 draw at Cadiz
Koeman has been quizzed frequently by the media over his treatment of Puig and even club president Joan Laporta is said to be unimpressed with the youngster’s lack of playing time.
But the Barca boss has defended his actions, claiming Puig ‘has to improve in many aspects of the game’.
Puig turned down a host of offers from the likes of Granada, Celta Vigo and Ajax to stay at the Nou Camp this summer and prove himself to the Dutchman, according to Sport.
But for the sake of his career, he could look to make a move this winter. Koeman is unlikely to stand in his way.
Puig was expected to become a key player for Barca but has barely featured under Koeman
Mauro Icardi (PSG)
Mauro Icardi’s start to life at the Parc des Princes was promising, with his initial loan spell yielding 20 goals in 34 games in all competitions.
Yet his relationship with PSG has soured slightly, with a potential swap move for Cristiano Ronaldo – before he left Juventus for United – being touted last summer.
The Argentine got less time on the pitch last season, netting 13 times in 28 outings with his minutes reduced by blockbuster names including Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and loan signing Moise Kean.
Mauro Icardi enjoyed a successful loan spell at PSG which yielded 20 goals in 34 games
The 28-year-old was dealt a further blow this summer after Barcelona star Lionel Messi made a shock switch to PSG. His compatriot’s arrival has meant even fewer chances for Icardi, who fell further down the pecking order.
Icardi reaffirmed his commitment to the club in a post on Instagram over the summer.
‘This season, the next and the next!!!’ the Argentine proclaimed. ‘That has never been in doubt!!! Come on PSG’.
But his future heading into the January transfer window could now very much be in doubt, with Messi, Neymar and Mbappe being Maurcio Pochettino’s preferred front three.
Icardi got less time on the pitch last season and he now has to contend with Lionel Messi
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
The chance of Alexandre Lacazette leaving Arsenal in January seem to be increasing as the Frenchman’s lack of playing time continues.
The forward has made just one start this term, coming in Arsenal’s third round Carabao Cup clash against AFC Wimbledon. He hasn’t started any of the Gunners’ Premier League fixtures and has made it off the bench in just two.
Mikel Arteta is now reportedly considering using Lacazette as a makeweight in a deal for Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri in January.
The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and Arsenal risk losing him on a free transfer if they are unable to agree a new contract or get a fee for him in January.
Lacazette will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club at the start of next year.
Alexandre Lacazette has come off the bench in just two of the Gunners’ Premier League games
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article