AuthorJeffEyesRimmer With the large sums of money washing around the English Premier League it is easy to think that clubs spending big bucks on players will bring immediate success. Players coming in for over $20 million must be good right? Well more Premier League clubs seem to be casting their eye down the divisions now. Some of the recent lower league players that stepped up to the EPL showed that there are bargains down in the lower leagues. The likes of Jamie Vardy and Dele Alli are obvious choices but also Troy Deeney and Rob Holding have proved they were more than capable of playing at a higher level in recent times. Now we are in the January window and Everton have snapped up Ademola Lookman and Arsenal have brought in Cohen Bramall. So who else could potentially make the step up? Below are a few players we think that could potentially make the grade in the EPL. Bradley Dack (Gillingham)
Dack was the player of the year in League 1 last season and is still only 23. An attacking midfielder by trade, Dack scored 13 goals in 40 league appearances last season and described himself as trying to emulate Frank Lampard. If he can come close to that calibre of player then EPL teams will want to snap him up. More likely a step up into the Championship beckons but don’t be surprised to see him in the big leagues sooner rather than later. Dack has made 19 appearances so far this season, with 3 goals and 5 assists to his name, he would likely be valued around the $1million mark and we think would certainly be worth the risk at that price. Johnathan Kodjia (Aston Villa) While he only moved to Villa Park in the summer Kodjia has continued his goal scoring exploits from the previous season, he has 9 goals this season. It might take a large offer to temp Villa to sell but with the Ivorian International coming into the prime of his career he could be ideal for several teams in the EPL. With Villa struggling so much this season is it only a matter of time before he leaves for greener pastures we think. Alan Judge (Brentford) The former winger moved into a more central attacking role last season and flourished. The Irishman’s performances led to him likely to have been going the European Championships but then a broken leg curtained those chances. Judge scored 13 goals last season even after the injury in April and was named in the team of the season. What might have been if he had had those extra couple of months? He hasn’t played this season as yet due to the injury but that hasn’t stopped Newcastle sniffing around the player. When fit he could be a good addition to a middle table EPL team. Scott Hogan (Brentford) Subject to a $15million pound bid from West Ham at the time of writing, Hogan has been in supreme form for Brentford this season scoring 14 goals so far. That type of form is always going to get you noticed and at 24 he still has plenty of time to develop as well. West Ham desperately need a striker that can finish, the last few have not been resounding successes. Kemar Roofe (Leeds Utd) The 23 year old began his career at West Brom, with several loan signings happening before a loan and permeant deal was signed with Oxford United. A total of 56 appearances and 24 goals in two seasons resulted in a Football League player of the year award last season. It prompted Leeds Utd to fork out $3million for Roofe in the close season. He has played in a more attacking midfield role so far this season, leading to a goal drought but he has scored a couple so far this term. If he can start scoring more consistently then the EPL sides will come calling. Beram Kayal (Brighton & Hove Albion) The Israeli international would likely be the most famous of players on this list, after having spells with Maccabi Haifa and Celtic. While there many stand out performances by various Brighton players last year it was Kayal that made it all tick along. A holding midfielder but one that contributed several goals and seven assists last season, his calm and assured manner would be very useful in the frantic and chaotic EPL. He has been out injured a bit this season though and is 28 so would pose a risk but has helped Brighton to second in the league as of writing. While we would have liked to have included players like Aaron Mooy, Tammy Abraham and Sam Gallagher on the list, these are players that are loan from EPL teams. Who else do you think might be worth a bid? |
AuthorsJust Some Fans Writing About Football. Archives
June 2018
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