'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Isco | Real Madrid
Isco's career at Real Madrid has followed the same trajectory over the past few years. At one point in the season, the Spaniard is seen as crucial to Los Blancos' midfield. After a few outings, good and bad, he warms the bench for weeks on end.
Trending
Isco has featured 96 times for Real in the last three seasons, which is neither here nor there. The bigger problem, however, is the consistency of these appearances. Every time the Spaniard seems set to have a prolonged run in the starting XI, it has been abruptly cut short due to a multitude of reasons.
Isco has also fallen behind Fede Valverde in the pecking order in recent years. This is in addition to already serving as a back-up for Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. With Isco's contract expiring next summer, it might just make perfect sense for both parties if he leaves the club in this transfer window.
#2 Tammy Abraham | Chelsea
Yet another bright young talent from the Chelsea academy, Tammy Abraham experienced immense growth during the 2019-20 season. But his progress was massively stunted in the 2020-21 campaign.
Under Frank Lampard, Abraham flourished as a conventional goalscorer. He finished his first top-flight season for Chelsea with 18 goals in 47 matches. While he was wasteful and needed time to find his range, Abraham was still excellent as a target man.
However, Lampard is long gone now and Thomas Tuchel seemingly had different ideas after replacing the Englishman in the dugout. The German often chose to go with the pace of Timo Werner or the craftiness of Kai Havertz upfront over Abraham's goalscoring. Resultantly, Abraham made just 32 appearances last season and has often found himself on the bench.
At just 23 years of age, he is bound to attract several clubs due to his youth, physical presence and proven Premier League experience. A move away from Chelsea might just give Abraham's career the boost it needs.
#1 Joao Felix | Atletico Madrid
It would be a stretch to say Felix has been a complete failure at Atletico Madrid. He is still just 21 and did win the 2020-21 La Liga title.
However, the youngster has certainly struggled to fully adapt to Spanish football so far. Felix also signed an extremely debatable seven-year contract that keeps him at Atletico all the way to 2026. Having been brought in for a hefty fee of £122m, the Portuguese has contributed just 19 goals in 76 matches for Atletico. Injury problems have also stunted his progress as he made just 14 league starts for Simeone's men last season.
Felix still holds plenty of potential and is unlikely to leave Atletico this summer. But a seven-year contract and an excessively high transfer fee seem to be too heavy a burden on his shoulders. It is also worth noting that Atletico signed Felix after he had made just 43 appearances for Benfica, which again suggests a minor rush of blood from all parties involved.
With all of these factors at play, a change in scenario, even on loan, might just help the 21-year-old rediscover his mojo.
