The Lost Boys – featuring Wilfried Zaha, Jack Rodwell and Victor Moses
Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United)
The last signing of Sir Alex Ferguson’s career, the 21-year-old has failed to make an impact since his £10 million move to Old Trafford and never looked in contention for first team football under David Moyes.
Low on confidence, Zaha was shipped out on loan to struggling Cardiff but was unable to regain the form that saw him pick up two caps for England. Famous for taking on defenders, Zaha’s time at Cardiff saw him tracking back more often – a sign of a player low on self-belief.
With the arrival of Louis van Gaal as United manager, Zaha must have a productive pre-season. There is perhaps hope for the youngster that the Dutchman will give him a second chance – after all, the former Barcelona boss is known for his hands on approach in training and promoting youthful talent, like he did at Ajax with Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorft, Marc Overmars and Patrick Kluivert amongst others.
Should Zaha fail to impress, or not even get the chance to, there are a host of Premier League clubs willing to take the winger off United’s hands for a snip. Newcastle are crying out for attacking options and have shown interest, whilst Crystal Palace are keen to take Zaha back to his boyhood club, where his form lit up the Championship.
Wherever Zaha goes, it must be a side where he will get regular first team football and be given the freedom to play with the attacking flair that brought him to his previous heights in 2012.
Jack Rodwell (Manchester City)
Jack Rodwell was awarded a medal for Manchester City’s title winning campaign this year despite only making one start and four appearances from the bench – the minimum required – which says it all.
The midfielder became Everton’s youngest player to debut in Europe at age 16 in 2007 and impressed in his first few seasons, establishing himself as a regular by 2010 and making his England debut in 2011.
His efforts were awarded with a move to champions City, but Rodwell has, similarly to Zaha, failed to establish himself amongst the Premier League’s elite squad.
Left out in the cold, Rodwell has been deemed by boss Manuel Pellegrini to be surplus to requirements – hardly surprising given the wealth of talent at the Etihad Stadium. Rodwell only made 10 starts in two years.
At 23, all is not lost for the Evertonian, but the time for a move is now, and it’s crucial that he, like Zaha, sees regular first team football. A return to Everton would be ideal for the international, whilst Newcastle United have enquired about his availability.
His move should serve as a lesson to the likes of Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw, sometimes the grass isn’t always greener.
Victor Moses (Chelsea)
The Nigerian winger has spent the season on loan at Liverpool after failing to establish himself in the Chelsea first team under Jose Mourinho (And who could blame him with the likes of Hazard, Oscar and Ramires at his disposal?).
Still only 23, the time is now for Moses to return to the form that saw him earn his move to Chelsea, impressing with his mazy runs and creative displays at Wigan Athletic.
With a return to Liverpool unlikely and a starting berth at Chelsea not forthcoming, the former Crystal Palace youth is a likely target for Swansea City; whose style of play suits a wide player such as Moses.
Everton have taken an interest in the international, with former boss Roberto Martinez keen to take Moses back under his wing. Should he shine at the World Cup for Nigeria next month, there may be a few more knocking on the door for his services.
Scott Sinclair (Manchester City)
A pattern is emerging here – young talent shines for mid-table team only to be snapped up by a table topping side and lost in the mire of the reserves for what must seem an eternity.
Scott Sinclair is no different.
Snapped up by the Blues after an impressive spell at Swansea City, Sinclair was lumped out on loan to West Brom this season and failed to enhance his resume whilst at the Hawthorns. The Birmingham Mail went so far as to even name Scott Sinclair West Brom’s worst ever loan signing.
His attacking style of play lit up The Liberty Stadium in his time at the Swans, but he has since struggled to recapture that form (sound familiar?). Sinclair played a total of eight games for The Baggies during his loan this season, amounting to over £10,000 for every minute played.
Of the four mentioned, Sinclair will struggle the most to stay in the Premier League. Although his time at Swansea shows he is a talented, creative player, his time at West Brom will dampen the interest of mid-table sides who may have taken a gamble on him this time last year.
Expect a promoted side such as Leicester City or Burnley to look to an established player like Sinclair to boost their ranks through either a loan or a short term deal.
Best of the rest
Micah Richards – Another member of the Man City clearout, Richards is in line to join Liverpool this summer after struggling with injuries during his last few years in Manchester.
Adel Taarabt – The Algerian is unwanted by parent club QPR and after an unsuccessful loan at AC Milan, the door is open for a host of Premier League sides to take a (big) gamble on the midfield maverick.
Hatem Ben Arfa – The French magician was once a pivotal player for Newcastle but concerns over his attitude and fitness has lead to an imminent exit from St. James Park. A return to France seems likely, but don’t bet against a side like Arsenal snapping up the international for a cut price and exposing the midfielders’ true potential.
What does the future hold for the likes of Zaha, Rodwell and Moses? Do you feel the “big clubs” have ruined these players’ careers?
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