As the Champions League quarter-finals bracket is set this week, there'll be plenty of players wishing they had more of an impact.
Whether their team was underwhelming in the Last 16 or they didn't get a chance to prove themselves. Not everyone will walk out of it all smiles.
There's no denying the talent on show in these matches. Whether it's the European giants of Real Madrid, Liverpool, or Man City, or the underdogs in Ajax and Salzburg.
But Champions League teams are where they are as a result of good recruitment, for the most part, and knowing when the best time is to part with players.
So here are six Champions League players that should move in the summer:
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Edinson Cavani - Manchester United
Edinson Cavani’s plan for June has not changed and it’s gonna be confirmed soon. He’s set to leave Manchester United as free agent, looking for a new experience 🔴🇺🇾 #MUFC
La Liga will be his priority - while South American clubs have already approached him. River Plate, no way. pic.twitter.com/eOIe10MIE3— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 15, 2022
It's been an unfortunate season for Edinson Cavani at Man United. Injuries have limited him to just six starts in all competitions and there's no doubt he'd feature more if he was fit. Many have compared his work rate to Cristiano Ronaldo and his importance as a leader in the dressing room. But at 35, will the Uruguayan really want to play second fiddle for another season? A move away from Old Trafford seems inevitable, and it looks like he's headed to South America to finish off his career.
Georginio Wijnaldum - Paris Saint-Germain
Things haven't quite worked out for Gini Wijnaldum in Paris. It seemed like a shrewd bit of business last summer, as Wijnaldum was seen as a bit of a marathon man having survived the Liverpool injury drought. Bringing in someone with his experience to sure up PSG's midfield may have been a safe bet, but he doesn't seem to have won over Mauricio Pochettino. Wijnaldum was benched for the two Real Madrid clashes and was seen liking loads of Liverpool content after their cup win. Not great.
Gareth Bale - Real Madrid
Gareth Bale • 2013/2014https://t.co/POIYGNIIMy
— Jamie🇲🇹 (@RobertsonSZN26) March 14, 2022
What do you make of Gareth Bale's return to his old Tottenham Hotspur stomping ground? It seemed great, in flashes, but did it do much to increase his value or worth? It was far better than sitting on the bench in Madrid, mind you. Bale has been a bit less of an exile this season at Madrid when fit but the caveat is, when fit. He's missed 18 league games through injury so far and has made sparing appearances since returning to Spain. Where's the market for Bale? Maybe a Premier League team will take a punt on him.
Isco - Real Madrid
Isco was a player rumoured to depart the Bernabeu last summer but it didn't come to fruition. Nearly a season on, and he's had runs in the starting lineup but for the most part has fallen back in the rotation. Once seen as a key piece going forward at Real Madrid, he's now become a bit-part player that could do with a fresh start somewhere else. Isco has 38 caps for Spain but hasn't featured since 2019. He turns 30 in April and could work his way back into the national team setup with more game time.
Callum Hudson-Odoi - Chelsea
Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi are both with the Chelsea squad in training at Cobham. pic.twitter.com/VZFPDEXfZ2
— Di Marzio Jnr💙🔥⚽ (@KwakuSikanii) March 15, 2022
This is not so much a permanent move, as Hudson-Odoi is still only 21-years-old. But a loan move could be a smart move given Chelsea's overall squad depth. Tomas Tuchel probably won't want to part with Hudson-Odoi if the club are to undergo a lengthy transfer ban in the fallout of Roman Abramovich's ownership. However, the England international will want to play more and that's no guarantee at an ever-competitive Stamford Bridge. A move abroad for a season would do no harm.
André Onana - Ajax
André Onana will be double-checking his wife's medicine cabinet going forward. The Cameroon international tested positive for Furosemide a year ago, leading to a lengthy twelve-month ban which was reduced to nine. He had a fairly strong case for the honest mistake, but it seems to have cost him his place at Ajax. It's taken him a while to break back into the starting eleven and that's come after an injury to Remko Pasveer. Onana could be tapped up with his contract up in the summer.
Watch every Champions League game for free here on the LiveScore app here. Registered ROI users only. #ad
See Also: Jamie Carragher Says Chelsea Fans Getting Taste Of Own Medicine
