Five players that should leave their respective clubs

In the unpredictable world of football, no player is safe and has to live under the threat of being replaced by someone younger, better or fitter. Playing in a top-level European club makes it more difficult for any player to hold on to his place in the starting line-up.Some players get sidelined due to injuries, some due to bad form, while some are unjustly replaced by someone who is better than them. When a quality player is not getting much game time, it is time for him to move on to a different club where his talents will be put to better use.Here is a list of 5 such players who need to move on to a different club for the sake of their career.

#1 Sami Khedira

An injury in an international friendly was enough to destroy Sami Khedira’s chances of having a smooth season with Los Blancos. A regular starter under Jose Mourinho, Khedira almost left for Manchester United in the summer window. However, Khedira remained an integral part of Ancelotti’s plans and stayed.

But a serious injury has given players like Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria a chance to seal their place in the starting 11. With Real Madrid perfectly stuffed with enough midfielders and the ever increasing transfer rumours, Khedira’s exit seems inevitable.

#2 Shinji Kagawa

A player of the Japanese’s talent and skill does not deserve to play second fiddle to the likes of Tom Cleverly and Ashley Young. After impressing critics in Germany, the playmaker’s move to Manchester United seemed like a dream come true. However, Kagawa has since been reduced to a helpless bench-warmer waiting to get on to the pitch and prove a point.

The arrival of Juan Mata and the emergence of youngster Adnan Januzaj have made things even worse for the midfielder. With David Moyes showing no hope of using the playmaker, it is best for the Japanese to seek a new club or go back to his former club - Borussia Dortmund.

#3 Demba Ba

After two very successful seasons at Newcastle United, Ba was brought in by Chelsea as a back-up to the underperforming Fernando Torres. Ba was expected to replace Torres and continue his free-scoring ways. However, Ba faced the same fate most Chelsea strikers do and ended up being a mere bench warmer.

The arrival of Samuel Eto’o did little to help the forward’s case and he fell further in the pecking order. With Romelu Lukaku expected to come back next season and Chelsea’s never-ending speculation of an incoming striker, Ba must move on and seek greener pastures.

#4 Alex Song

Alex Song arrived at Barcelona in the same window that Real Madrid acquired Luka Modric. While his El Clasico counterpart has gone on to become the an integral cog at Real Madrid, Song is struggling at Barcelona. The long list of midfielders already present at Barcelona makes it even harder for Song to break into the first team.

With Cesc Fabregas playing some amazing football this season, Song has little opportunity to seal a place in the starting line-up. Song is no longer as impressive as he was with Arsenal. However, a move back to a Premier League club like Manchester United or even a return to the Gunners will push his career in the right direction.

#5 Mario Mandzukic

When Bayern confirmed the signing of Robert Lewandowski, the obvious rumours of Mandzukic’s departure started fuelling the rumour mills. With Lewandowski poised to arrive at Bayern in the summer, it will be very tough for Mandzukic to gain enough minutes on the pitch.

With Thomas Mueller and Claudio Pizzaro already competing with the Croatian, the arrival of Lewandowski will make it even tougher for the forward to retain a place in the starting 11. With high-profile clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and even Borussia Dortmund in need of a striker, Mandzukic will attract a lot of attention in the transfer window.