A vast array of high-quality players have already seen their European dreams for the season end, and it’s not even Christmas.
Indeed, many Champions League stars now face the prospect of playing in the Europa League in new year, while others won’t be playing any European football at all – for their current clubs, that is.
Some of those eliminated players have the chance to jump ship in January and there will be no shortage of clubs offering a return to the Champions League or Europa League stage.
Last season, Philippe Coutinho was unable to play for Barcelona in the Champions League because he’d played for Liverpool in the competition before his January move.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was in a similar boat. He sat out Arsenal’s Europa League campaign as Borussia Dortmund, where he spent the first half of 2017/18, had dropped into the competition after the Champions League group stages.
All of those rules have now been scrapped; a player can no longer be cup-tied in the Champions League or the Europa League.
So who are the recently-knocked-out stars likely to be on the radar of European clubs in January? Here are 10 of the best, with a maximum of two player per team.
1. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Icardi is a goalscorer, pure and simple. He found the net four times in the Champions League group stages, contributing to his 12 goals for the season in 18 appearances across all competitions. That’s bound to appeal to the clubs still in the Champions League.
Which club could prolong his European season?
Since Cristiano Ronaldo left, Real Madrid have – surprise, surprise – lacked a clinical goalscorer. Icardi would be ideal, and Inter’s Champions League elimination could provide him with the justification to leave.
Key stat: Icardi scored in all three of Inter’s Champions League home group stage games.
2. Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Surprisingly, Perisic failed to score for Inter in the Champions League group stages. In fact, he’s only scored twice all season. But the Croatian is usually a big-game player. He scored in the World Cup semi-final against England and the final against France.
Which club could prolong his European season?
Manchester United have been heavily linked with Perisic in the past. Alexis Sanchez hasn’t worked out at Old Trafford, and Perisic could be a useful replacement if Sanchez decides to leave the Red Devils in January.
Key stat: Only Matteo Politano (34) created more chances than Perisic (30) for Inter in the group stage.
3. Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Koulibaly has been one of the best defenders in Europe over the last few seasons and that has continued this term. He’s brilliant in the air and his reading of the game is at an elite level. It’s difficult to see him playing outside of the Champions League.
Which club could prolong his European season?
Manchester United need a centre-back and will surely target Koulibaly. However, after Napoli’s elimination the defender spoke of his desire to win the Europa League with Napoli. According to the Daily Mail, he said: “We will try and win it.”
Key stat: Only five players have completed more passes than Koulibaly (392) in the Champions League this season.
4. Elseid Hysaj (Napoli)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Hysaj has already made over 150 appearances for Napoli at the age of 24. The right-back has plenty of Champions League experience and is effective both defensively and going forward.
Which club could prolong his European season?
Chelsea will be competing in the same competition as Napoli in the new year, but Hysaj has been linked with the Blues before and he might be tempted to reunite with his former manager Maurizio Sarri. What’s more, in theory, Chelsea have a better chance of going further in the Champions League in the future.
Key stat: Only Allan has completed more take-ons for Napoli in Serie A this season than Hysaj.
5. Jose Gaya (Valencia)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Gaya has emerged as one of the most consistent left-backs in Europe this season. He has impressed against Manchester United and Juventus and has made three appearances for the Spanish national team this year, giving Jordi Alba a run for his money.
Which club could prolong his European season?
David Alaba isn’t getting any younger at Bayern Munich and the German giants are thought to be planning a squad overhaul in the coming months. Surely Gaya is on their shortlist of left-backs.
Key stat: Gaya has won 21 of his total duels in the Champions League group stage, including six tackles.
6. Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven)
What makes him Champions League quality?
After an impressive World Cup with Mexico, Lozano has continued his fine form in the Eredivisie in the Champions League, shining for PSV on the European stages despite the Dutch side finishing bottom of their group.
Which club could prolong his European season?
Liverpool’s front three is one of the best of Europe but they could so with added competition to take them to an even higher level. Lozano would definitely provide that.
Key stat: With 14 goals and seven assists, Lozano has had a hand in 21 goals in 25 games across all competitions this season.
7. Angeliño (PSV Eindhoven)
What makes him Champions League quality?
After spending the last few seasons out on loan from Manchester City, left-back Angelino found a permanent home in the shape of PSV Eindhoven in the summer. The Spaniard has settled quickly in the Netherlands – building from last season’s brilliant campaign with NAC Breda – and has impressed in Europe, too.
Which club could prolong his European season?
Arsenal are in need of a left-back for a number of reasons. Nacho Monreal’s contract is running down, Sead Kolasinac has been a touch unreliable – both in terms of fitness and form – and full-backs are one of the keys to Unai Emery’s attacking approach. Angelino has only been with PSV for a few months, but the chance to prove his former employers wrong by turning out for a rival club might just be enough.
Key stat: Angeliño created more chances (83) and completed more take-ons (56) than any other player in the Eredivisie last season; he is leading the way for take-ons again in 2018/19.
8. Youri Tielemans (Monaco)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Tielemans has come in for criticism from Thierry Henry this season, but he has been central to the moments in which Monaco have shown any kind of form – which has been rare. Still, he is a top midfielder who might just need a move to rediscover his best performances.
Which club could prolong his European season?
Tottenham are in need of a long-term replacement for Mousa Dembele, and Tielemans has sometimes been preferred to Dembele in central midfield for Belgium.
Key stat: Teilemans has created more chances (5) and attempted more shots on target (7) than any other Monaco player in the Champions League this season.
9. Joelinton (Hoffenheim)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Joelinton is more than just a centre-forward. He has provided almost as many assists as he has scored goals this season because of his propensity to drop deep and make things happen. And at just 22, he has time to improve even more.
Which club could prolong his European season?
If Inter Milan lose Icardi, they could do worse than attempting to lure Joelinton to the San Siro to ensure they are challengers for the Europa League – forming a dynamic South American duo with Lautaro Martinez.
Key stat: Joelinton has had a hand in 15 goals in 20 games across all competitions this season (eight goals, seven assists).
10. Wesley (Club Brugge)
What makes him Champions League quality?
Club Brugge probably expected to finish bottom of their group, but the likes of Wesley have helped the Belgian side finish third above Monaco. The Brazilian has been on fire in the Belgian top-flight this term and may see January as an opportunity to move to a bigger club.
Which club could prolong his European season?
A move to Porto could be a wise choice for Wesley. It would provide him with the opportunity to play more Champions League football, and Porto are known for selling their stars, giving him further reason to play well and earn yet another move upwards in the future.
Key stat: Wesley has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 16 league matches this season; he is Brugge’s leading scorer this term with 10 goals across all competitions.
Any more players you feel are good enough to make the step back up to European competition? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.
The post January transfers ahead? 10 knocked-out Champions League players too good for their European adventure to end right now appeared first on Squawka News.
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