Top 5 players from the English lower leagues that EPL teams could buy

3) Matt Ritchie:

Name in native country:	Matthew Thomas Ritchie
Date of birth:	10.09.1989
Place of birth:	Gosport
Age:	23
Height:	1,73
Nationality:	England
Position:	Midfield – Left Wing
Foot:	left
Market value:	400.000 €

Having been a part of the Portsmouth UEFA cup squad and played in the Premier League, Matt Ritchie was one of the many young players who suffered due to Portsmouth financial problems. When Portsmouth’s reserve team was disbanded due to financial issues, Ritchie was loaned, first to Dagenham & Redbridge then Notts County and finally to Swindon, who later on made the move permanent. Half way through the 2012-13 season fellow League one side Bournemouth made a move for him and bought his services.

At an age of 23, he already has an experience of 213 league matches (combined) 48 goals and 37 assists – more than a respectable return for a wide player who has been deployed as left back a few times too. Ritchie is no stranger to accolades having picked up the npower League 2 Player of the Year trophy at The Football League Awards as part of the promotion-winning Swindon Town team in 2012 and then was named the npower League 1 Player of the Year at The Football League Awards 2013 for his combined performances for Swindon and Bournemouth.

At Bournemouth, the winger was instrumental in Eddie Howe’s side’s promotion to the npower Championship, scoring three times in 17 appearances. One of Bournemouth’s key promotion winning players, Matt Ritchie, may become subject of a bid from Sunderland, once the transfer window opens again at the start of July. Paolo Di Canio, the Black Cats’ boss, is a keen admirer of Ritchie, having managed the winger during his time as Swindon Town boss and now he is looking to bring his former player to the Stadium of Light.