2015 is sure to be an exciting time for the Premier League, with fierce competition for the European places and the possibility of a close run title race. The January transfer window is normally a time of panic buys and desperation, as under-fire managers try frantically to turn their luck around, but it can also offer some of the more forgotten players a chance to get some playing time, either on loan or through a permanent move.
Some players will no doubt face a crazy amount of speculation, despite having no real need to move clubs. The likes of Wilfried Bony, Danny Ings, and any young Southampton defender will be linked to all sorts of clubs, but they don't have to pursue a new employer in the way that some other professionals will do.
Here are eight Premier League players who badly need a change of scene in the new year.
Fabio Borini - Liverpool
Italian striker Fabio Borini has proven himself as a competent Premier League striker with Sunderland in the past, yet he finds himself behind Mario Balotelli and Ricky Lambert in the pecking order, even with Daniel Sturridge out injured. In fact, as Balotelli and Lambert were not fit to start against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Borini didn't feature at all as Raheem Sterling played up front. A clear indicator that he needs to leave Anfield.
Darron Gibson - Everton
Derry man Darron Gibson has had a very tough time with injuries in recent years, and as a result has slid further and further down the central midfield pecking order at Goodison Park. Gibson doesn't really fit Roberto Martinez's system, and as such should be looking to secure a move where he can play week in week out.
Emanuele Giaccherini - Sunderland
After making the breakthrough into the Italian squad for the 2011 Confederations Cup after a bright season with Juventus, Sunderland pulled off what looked like a massive coup for the club in bringing Giaccherini to the Stadium of Light to work under Paolo Di Canio. Unfortunately, despite showing flashes of talent, he never really settled in England and should look to escape while he still has some sort of a reputation.
Joel Campbell - Arsenal
One of the stars of Costa Rica's excellent World Cup campaign, it looked like Joel Campbell might get some chances at Arsenal this season. He has not. Welbeck, Giroud, and even Yaya Sanogo are ahead of him in the pecking order, and a loan move is surely what is needed to further his development.
Moussa Dembele - Tottenham Hotspur
A proven Premier League quality midfielder and an important part of the Belgian national team, it is strange that Dembele seems to be out of the fold for Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino. Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb are favoured in midfield, and with a wealth of options to play behind the striker, Dembele should look to leave White Hart Lane.
Scott Sinclair - Manchester City
Yes, he still exists. The unloved step-child of the Premier League, Scott Sinclair is rotting away at City, where he has absolutely no chance of game time. He used to be pretty damn good as well.
Lukas Podolski - Arsenal
Great for the third goal in a 3-0 win, Arsene Wenger simply doesn't trust Podolski enough to give the former Bayern Munich man a consistent run in the team. Does he go back to Germany? Does he stay in the Premier League? Either way, Lukas needs to move to freshen things up.
Jozy Altidore - Sunderland
It just isn't working out for Altidore in the Premier Legate. A striker who used to be able to score goals during his time in Holland, Jozy now simple cannot put the ball in the goal, and probably needs to leave England in order to remember how to do so. France would be an option, Holland would be ideal, but really anywhere other than the Premier League should do.
