You've heard our suggestions for permanent transfers that are crying out to happen, so now lets have a look at loan deals that would make sense for all involved.
With managerial changes at more of the traditional "big clubs" than usual, you can't help but feel that some of the more talented younger players in the league are going to fall out of the first team picture, so Premier League football could be what they need to kick on and get noticed.
Also, there are a number of veteran player that simply would be better used elsewhere, so here is our list.
Sheyi Ojo to Swansea:
Somewhere in Melwood, there is a Silence of the Lambs-style cave where dwells Dani Pacheco, Suso and all of the other budding youngsters of Liverpool’s past. Sheyi Ojo is currently scrabbling through the dark, trying to avoid the same fate.
Swansea had such a nondescript season last year. Totally falling away from competing at the higher end of the table, Monk fell on his sword and they just about missed relegation. I challenge any of you readers to remember a Swansea game in anything like detail.
While the Swans primarily need a striker, they also need someone to load the chamber for him. With the skill, pace and attitude to shine, Ojo can be that man.
It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it goes on loan again…
Kieran Gibbs to Liverpool:
The curious case of Kieran Gibbs. Not long ago, he was seen as the best youth product straight outta London Colney. His career is in danger of falling down a common trap created by an untimely injury, a rival’s return to form, and subsequent drop-off in his own.
Somewhere in the U.S., Jurgen Klopp wakes in a cold sweat, with the letters ‘LB’ swirling around his mind’s eye. With Ben Chilwell well chilled at Leicester for the moment, a move for Gibbs would make wonderful sense.
In a land of magical make-believe, where goldfish nibble at your toes, etc etc.
Callum Chambers to West Ham:
Chambers is a player of real assuredness for his age, and plenty of Arsenal fans were championing him to get a look in when their defensive form began to wane. It wasn’t to be.
West Ham are a different now, with Slaven Bilic’s quiet authority, Payet’s alchemy and a fuck-off new stadium making them an enticing prospect for players. Particularly those who have both a point to prove and prospects at a Champion’s League club. West Ham have just let go of James Tomkins, and while Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid are a great pairing, it wouldn’t hurt the Hammers to have real quality pushing for a place.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Sunderland:
Say what you like about David Moyes, but he has pedigree in identifying and bringing through young talent. Seamus Coleman, Januzaj and (buying) John Stones are testament to the trust he places in them. Loftus-Cheek needs someone to wipe away the tears after Jose told him Santa’s not real.
With Yann M’Vila gone from an already-threadbare squad, Sunderland need refreshing and an uptick in quality. Loftus-Cheek also shone towards the back end of Chelsea’s title-winning season, but to really build character he could do with getting down and dirty in a potential relegation scrap.
Adnan Januzaj to Bournemouth:
How far those halcyon days at the Stadium of Light seem. David Moyes’ haunted house of a face was temporarily vacated as Adnan Januzaj dug Manchester United out of a hole of their making. Nearly three years later, and Januzaj has no reason to whine about losing the no. 11 shirt to Antony Martial.
A perceived poor attitude was the main reason that Dortmund curtailed Januzaj’s loan last season. It seems surprising that a man with such cherubic features could be anything other than decent, but Thomas Tuchel felt he lacked the desire to compete.
Bournemouth is an environment that will allow Januzaj to be the big fish in a small pond, but absolutely retains a rock-solid team mentality that will not tolerate his shit. Additionally, Eddie Howe is someone who prides himself on squeezing every drop from his players – and one feels there is a lot to come from Januzaj. If only it wasn’t so difficult to put an arm round the shoulder while booting someone up the arse.
SEE ALSO: Why Adnan Januzaj's Loan To Dortmund Is One Of The Worst Deals Ever
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson to Middlesbrough:
It is surprising that Mourinho seems alright letting Borthwick-Jackson leave. United aren’t exactly blessed with options at right-back, but there is a lot to be said for providing CBJ with serious minutes this season.
Aitor Karanka is the Richard Hammond to Mourinho’s Clarkson. When he was at his most hated, Karanka was there to stick by Jose, no matter how rank the accusation. Who better, then, to entrust with the care of one of his youngsters? ‘Boro are quietly going about some very savvy business, with the additions of Alvaro Negredo, Gaston Ramirez and Viktor Fischer in particular. Speak it quietly, but they could be a decent shout for a mid-table finish, a la Watford last time around.
Asmir Begovic to Everton:
Everton are a strange club to call at the moment. The relative euphoria (as far as that can be applied to the league’s natural pessimists) that surrounded Farhad Moshiri’s takeover and his appointment of Ronald Koeman has somewhat worn off. Steve Walsh as Director of Football is a coup, but might potentially have derailed any prior planned transfer activity. Given that John Stones and Romelu Lukaku will likely leave, there is a danger that they will need a late rebuilding job.
One absolutely pressing concern is in goal, with the signature of Maarten Stekelenburg nowhere near the quality that the Blues need to be competing where they should. Begovic provides a commanding mental presence as well as a physicality that Tim Howard simply didn’t provide. Hopefully, Begovic can reignite his career and provide the impetus in Goodison’s brave new world.
Andreas Pereira to Stoke:
It’s rare for Arsenal and Stoke to be compared stylistically, but their recent trends make it not quite so far-fetched. Tricky, technical forwards used to be Arsene’s preserve, but Mark Hughes has quietly remoulded Stoke into a side that is as stylish and effective as anyone when they click.
That day will come more regularly this season, with Stoke having signed Joe Allen to play alongside a settling Giannelli Imbula, and retaining Marko Arnautovic’s services. The latter is a neat summation of Stoke’s new style; technical, powerful…but inconsistent. A bit of quality opposition in the form of Pereira, Manchester United’s latest stock in not-quite-there technical forwards, could provide the competition that Stoke need. If Jose Mourinho is minded to listen, then he can also push himself into regular contention at Old Trafford.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Southampton:
A few years ago, this may have been seen as more of a significant step backwards for the Ox than it needs to now. His stalling was one of the more surprising elements of an otherwise unsurprising Arsenal season. The full beams were on, and Chamberlain went all Watership Down.
With Southampton now arguably the cream of the crop outside the Champions League contenders, and his ties to the club, St Mary’s could provide the perfect environment to rebuild into the player that many hoped he would be by now. A season where he can prove himself the main man would be the making of the man.
Andy Carroll to West Bromwich Albion:
I heard you just gasp at the prospect.
Pulis and Carroll. Together at last.
