6 players who will regret not moving in January 2024
Roy Keane’s tenure as a footballer was marked by achievements and admiration, yet it was not devoid of missteps.
However, when reflecting on his playing career, which saw him accumulate 11 red cards, boycott a World Cup, and eventually depart Manchester United under strained circumstances, Keane’s primary regret was not leaving the club sooner.
“I wish I bloody had!” exclaimed the Republic of Ireland international. “Part of me feels envious now when I see other players moving abroad because it’s a fantastic experience for your family.”
With the conclusion of each transfer window, numerous players find themselves grappling with the same sense of regret as Keane. Here are the individuals who may harbor the most remorse after opting to remain in their current clubs this January.
Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Aaron Ramsdale must brace himself for more time spent on the bench. In October, Ramsdale openly acknowledged that he was “suffering and hurting” due to his significant drop in Arsenal’s goalkeeping hierarchy. Over the following three months, Ramsdale has only made four appearances.
The former Arsenal number one was selected for a Champions League dead rubber, two cup matches, and a league match against Brentford, the latter being a result of David Raya’s ineligibility to play against his parent club. With Arsenal eliminated from the Carabao and FA Cups, Ramsdale’s prospects for senior appearances until the end of the season are slim, with the possibility of featuring in the reverse league fixture against Brentford.
If the English international had secured a transfer in January, his focus would not be solely on Saturday, March 9th
Joao Palhinha (Fulham)
Joao Palhinha came tantalizingly close to securing a move to Bayern Munich last summer. Thomas Tuchel’s quest for “a genuine defensive midfielder,” one who prioritizes defensive duties over attacking prowess, had been ongoing since his tenure began at Bayern Munich but intensified as the summer transfer window progressed.
Palhinha appeared poised to satisfy Tuchel’s requirements, even donning the iconic red kit before the deal collapsed at the eleventh hour. Bayern’s interest in the Fulham midfielder persisted into the winter window, yet they opted to prioritize the acquisition of right-back Sacha Boey for £25.6m – presumably to Tuchel’s lasting disappointment.
While achieving a commendable level of safety in the Premier League, it remains uncertain whether a formidable European powerhouse like Bayern will retain the same level of interest in Palhinha this upcoming summer, especially as he approaches 29 and still has four years remaining on his contract.
Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)
Plagued by injuries, conflicts with management, and an unexpected cyclone in the Indian Ocean, Karim Benzema’s six-month stint in Saudi Arabia has been marked by challenges.
The former Ballon d’Or recipient was strongly rumored to be seeking a move elsewhere this winter, a scenario that 90min cautioned would be exceedingly intricate, but such a move never materialized.
Instead of returning to one of Europe’s premier leagues, Benzema will continue to play out the rest of the season with Al Ittihad, a team currently ranked seventh in the Pro League despite enjoying a significant financial advantage over most of its rivals.
Sergio Gomez (Man City)
Luis de la Fuente has introduced Sergio Gomez to Spain’s under-18s, under-19s, and under-21s squads. However, Gomez stands little chance of earning a call-up to the senior squad for Euro 2024 under the same manager, given his minimal first-team opportunities at Manchester City.
Despite being City’s sole conventional left-back, Gomez has only made ten appearances this season, the same number as the much-discussed outcast Kalvin Phillips. While Phillips managed to secure a move away, Gomez was scarcely linked with a transfer, let alone close to securing one.
It remains uncertain whether the former Barcelona academy player will accept this peripheral role for the remaining two-and-a-half years of his City contract. Nonetheless, he must endure it for at least another six months.
Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart)
Do you remember Krzysztof Piatek? The Polish striker burst onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere in 2018, enjoying a remarkable goal-scoring spree by netting 13 Serie A goals for Genoa before Christmas. AC Milan, prior to their acquisition by a company utilizing statistical analysis, bought into the hype, securing Piatek for a hefty £30m fee in the January 2019 transfer window.
Initially, Piatek brought his prolific goal-scoring form to Lombardy. However, a shift in fortune – that often unseen yet influential aspect of football – abruptly halted his impressive streak. Following stints with Hertha BSC and Salernitana in relegation battles, the 28-year-old finds himself playing in the Turkish top flight.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy is exceeding his expected goal tally by an even larger margin than Piatek this season. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Guinea striker will experience as steep a decline as Piatek did, his value may never be as high as it is at this moment.
Although a £15m release clause will remain valid in the upcoming summer transfer window, Guirassy’s potential suitors might not be as high-profile. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty of promise for a player who was competing in the Bundesliga’s relegation playoff just last summer.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham)
Despite considerable interest from Atletico Madrid and Juventus in January, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg opted to remain at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 28-year-old midfielder, who finds himself as the fourth-choice option (at best) at the club, justified his decision by stating, “I always said in the past like I say now, what drives me is the purpose of fighting for something and I definitely feel that Tottenham is fighting for something.”
However, Tottenham is currently out of both domestic cup competitions, lacks European obligations, and trails league-leading Liverpool by eight points. Meanwhile, Atletico prepares for the Champions League knockout stages and a Copa del Rey semi-final, while Juventus competes at the top of Serie A alongside Inter. Yet, as long as Hojbjerg remains content for now, his decision stands.