10 players who are too good for their current clubs

Some of these players have been capped numerous times for their national sides, while some others have moved from being champions in a particular league to mid table obscurity in the other. These players have the potential to play for the top teams in Europe (no offense meant for their current teams) but they have somehow found themselves playing in teams where their full talents might not be utilised completely.Some former players of great teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are on this list while some of the other players are major transfer targets for the top European clubs.We take a look at 10 players who are too good for their current clubs:

#1 Gonzalo Higuain - Napoli

Former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has been in stunning form for Napoli this season. The Argentine striker has already hit 29 goals this season and he has singlehandedly kept Napoli in the race for the Scudetto.

A hardworking striker and a prolific goalscorer, Higuaín is regarded as one of the top strikers of his generation, and is known in particular for his great striking ability, as well as his technical skill, and ability to hold up the ball and lay it off to other players. He is also known for his pace in the final third of the pitch, which makes him an offensive threat during counter-attacks.

Although Napoli are playing well in the Serie A their elimination in the Europa League against Villarreal showed that they are still some way away from the elite European clubs.

A striker of his abilities definitely needs to be playing in teams challenging for Champions League glory.

#2 Felipe Anderson - Lazio

Felipe Anderson has enjoyed another solid season with Italian side Lazio. A quick, hard-working, and technically gifted player, Felipe Anderson is predominantly known for his pace and is regarded as one of the fastest players in the modern game.

He also possesses good ball control, and dribbling ability.He is also a versatile player, and is capable of playing as a forward, as a winger, and as an attacking midfielder. In addition to his technical skills, he is gifted with powerful striking ability from distance with either foot, and is an accurate set-piece and penalty kick taker.

The Brazilian can also serve as an assist-man due to his creative ability and eye for the final pass. Although Lazio are struggling this season, Anderson has turned in some eye-catching performances for the Serie A side.

With a move to Manchester United in the summer being talked about, the Brazilian might be plying his trade in the Premier League next season.

#3 Nolito - Celta Vigo

9 goals and 6 assists in just 18 league appearances for Celta Vigo, Nolito has been in top form for Celta Vigo this season. The former Barcelona player has been constantly linked with a move back to Barcelona due to his good performances in the last few seasons.

Primarily playing as a winger or a supporting forward, Nolito is the talisman of the Celta Vigo side. His impressive performances for Celta even earned him a call-up to the Spain national team.

His direct style has caused plenty of problems for the opposing defences and his tricks and passing skills make him a key attacking outlet for the La Liga side. Nolito will be hoping to continue his good form and he will definitely be pushing for a spot in the 2016 Euros.

With him constantly being linked to the Catalan giants, Nolito might soon be playing in the formidable Barcelona squad.

#4 Georginio Wijnaldum - Newcastle United

Dutch footballer of the year in 2014-15 season, Newcastle really pulled off a coup when they secured his services in the summer transfer window. Another instance of a talented footballer settling for a Premier League club not playing in European competitions, Wijnaldum has definitely been one of the stars of a relegation-threatened Newcastle side.

The Dutchman has scored 9 goals in just 22 league appearances and Newcastle are still in with a shout of escaping relegation mainly because of his contributions.

Quick, pacy and an ability to run with the ball due to his dribbling abilities, Wijnaldum has contributed with some crucial goals for Newcastle in this campaign. Still just 25, the Dutchman already has 24 caps with his national side.

At the peak of his game currently, Wijnaldum definitely does not deserve to be playing in a team fighting relegation.

#5 Yohan Cabaye - Crystal Palace

Yohan Cabaye plays as a central midfielder for Crystal Palace and he is one of the star performers for the struggling Crystal Palace team. He is described as a player who possesses "excellent vision, great ball control", and "provides technical quality". Cabaye is also known for his free-kick and penalty-taking ability.

The midfielder has already represented the French national team 44 times and he has experienced football at the very top level. Although he had an indifferent spell at Paris Saint-Germain, there is no denying that Yohan Cabaye is quality.

The Frenchman is one of the best passers in the game and his vision and ability to find space in the midfield makes him an absolutely vital player for France and Palace.

Although Cabaye was reunited with his old manager Pardew at Palace, there is no denying the fact that he deserves to be in a club playing in European competitions.

#6 William Carvalho - Sporting CP

William Carvalho is one of the most talented youngsters in Portugal right now. A powerful defensive midfielder, Carvalho does an excellent job in the middle of the park breaking up play and setting up new attacks for his side.

Carvalho has been linked to top clubs all over Europe from the past few seasons and he definitely deserves to play in a top team challenging for European honours. At just 23 years old, Carvalho still has a long way to go in his career.

The Portuguese midfielder is calm and composed on the ball and he has shown maturity beyond his years with his assured performances. A quality midfield enforcer is a must for all the top teams and Carvalho will be hot property in the summer transfer window.

#7 Joao Moutinho - Monaco

29-year-old Portuguese midfielder is one of the few experienced stars left at Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. He was part of the original clutch of stars who made their way to the Monaco side when they spent huge amounts of money to acquire superstars like Falcao and James.

Moutinho is capable of playing as both a defensive and attacking midfielder and along the flanks making him a versatile player capable of playing in a number of positions. Arguably the second best player in the Portuguese national team after Cristiano Ronaldo, Moutinho can easily play in the top teams across Europe.

Although Monaco might end up making the Champions League nest year, the gulf in class between them and the top Ligue 1 side PSG is seen by the fact that they have wrapped up the title already.

Moutinho has been targetted by Premier League clubs like Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea in the past and he might finally end up making a move this summer.

#8 Andre Ayew - Swansea City

The attracting power of the Premier League was seen by the fact that one of Marseille’s best players Andre Ayew chose to come to a mid-level Premier League club such as Swansea. The Ghanian winger had an immediate impact scoring three goals in his first four Premier League appearances.

Ayew is one of the best players Ghana has produced in the recent past and he has received both the BBC African footballer of the year and Ghana player of the year awards in his successful career.

The Ghanian forward first made his name playing for French giants Marseille. Ayew impressed everyone with his pace drive and finishing and he was expected to join a club playing in the Champions League. However, Swansea surprised everyone by signing a player of his calibre.

With Liverpool and Tottenham interested in securing his services, Ayew might move from Swansea seeking a new challenge

#9 Xherdan Shaqiri - Stoke City

Known as the “alpine Messi” or the “magic dwarf”, Shaqiri was considered to be one of the most talented players in the world. His performances with FC Basel captured the attention of the world and he was finally bought by Bayern Munich for a fee reported to be € 11.6 million.

However, in a team filled with superstars, the Swiss international found it tough to hold on to a regular starting spot and a desire for regular playing time led to his transfer to Inter Milan. However, after a mixed spell at Italy, Stoke City surprisingly secured his services with an audacious bid of £12 million.

Although Stoke City are a solid team in the Premier League, people would have expected a player of his calibre to join a team which is capable of playing in Europe.

Shaqiri got criticism from a section of critics who thought his move was made more for monetary reasons than football ones.

#10 Dimitri Payet - West Ham United

When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, everyone knew they had managed to pull off a coup by signing a player of his calibre, no disrespect to West Ham, but the talented Frenchman could have been playing in any of the top clubs across Europe.

With 5 assists and 9 goals in all competitions for West Ham this season, the Frenchman has become a firm fan favourite. The first truly world-class star to play for West Ham since the departures of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, Payet has turned in some amazing and eye-catching performances for West Ham this season.

His performances have drawn praise from all quarters and the Hammers’ manager showed just how impressed he was when he said:

"I have to get poetry lessons to describe his importance to us," said Croatian Bilic.

"I haven't seen better players than that. He is also doing the dirty work and on the ball he is up there with Luka Modric from the players I have trained so far, Dimitri is one of the best I have trained and every week I want these questions about him to continue, but it is hard to be surprised."

Edited by Staff Editor