5 Players Who Thrived After Leaving Premier League Clubs

Introduction

In football, it's not uncommon for fans to feel bitterness when a player leaves their club and performs exceptionally well elsewhere. This article highlights five players who have thrived after summer moves from Premier League clubs, leaving their former teams to wonder if they would have been better off keeping them.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a talented box-to-box midfielder with excellent technical ability, had a promising future at Chelsea. However, injuries plagued his time at the club, making him unreliable for new managers assessing the squad. Despite this, Loftus-Cheek played more Premier League minutes in his last season for Chelsea than in any previous campaign. His departure and subsequent success at AC Milan leave Chelsea fans longing for a central midfielder who can beat players and drive forward in possession.

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer, signed by Manchester City for £40m, has emerged as one of the best signings in recent years. As an Under-21 player, Palmer has contributed significantly to Manchester City's success this season, with an impressive number of goals and assists. His impact has been so significant that it's difficult to imagine Manchester City being even more brilliant without him.

Jaden Philogene

Jaden Philogene, known for his skill and ability to make opponents look foolish, has made a name for himself at Hull City. With eight goals and five assists in the Championship, Philogene's performances suggest he will be a strong contender for the Puskas Award. Aston Villa may have struggled to provide him with sufficient game time, but his goal contributions indicate that they may regret not loaning him to Hull City.

Deniz Undav

Deniz Undav, the Bundesliga player of the month for January, has been in exceptional form for Stuttgart. With 14 goals in the league, Undav has outperformed Brighton's top scorer. Despite being overlooked at Brighton, Undav has proven himself as a prolific goal scorer. His success raises the question of whether he could follow Dan Ashworth to Manchester United.

Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka's departure from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen has been a revelation. Despite Arsenal's need for an upgrade in midfield, Xhaka's outstanding form last season was overlooked. Since his move, Xhaka has been a consistent starter for Leverkusen, helping them secure a five-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table. Arsenal's struggles in midfield and Xhaka's impressive performances raise the question of whether Arsenal would have been more successful in the Premier League had they kept him.

Conclusion

These five players have thrived after leaving their Premier League clubs, leaving fans to wonder if their former teams would have been better off keeping them. Their success serves as a reminder that sometimes, letting go of a player can come back to haunt a club. It's a lesson that clubs should carefully consider when making transfer decisions.