Four Premier League loanees who should be given a chance next season | OneFootball

Premier League clubs shipped out unwanted or unneeded assets on loan this season, with more than 150 players spending temporary stints away from top-flight clubs in 2023/24.

Some have impressed out on loan and could potentially re-enter the thoughts of their managers when pre-season rolls around.

We’ve looked at four Premier League players, currently out on loan, who should be handed an opportunity next season.

Deniz Undav (Brighton)

Deniz Undav departed Brighton in the summer in search of regular minutes, after the Seagulls signed Joao Pedro from Watford to add competition to their forward line.

Undav impressed amid limited action last term, scoring five times in just six league starts, and the German has enhanced his reputation for goals at Stuttgart this season.

The 27-year-old has 17 goals and eight assists in 26 appearances in the Bundesliga, just 19 of which have come from the start. Only Harry Kane, teammate Serhou Guirassy and Lois Openda have outscored Undav, who has rediscovered the prolific form that persuaded Brighton to sign him from Union Saint-Gilloise.

Undav’s role in Stuttgart’s unlikely push for Champions League qualification saw him recognised with an international call up and he made his debut for Germany in March. A place in the squad for Euro 2024, on home soil, looks probable after a brilliant Bundesliga campaign.

Robert De Zerbi has confirmed that Undav will be part of his plans at the Amex next season.

Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)

Hear us out.

Romelu Lukaku’s record-breaking return to Chelsea was nothing short of a disaster, as the Belgian re-signed for the West Londoners in a club-record deal, and proceeded to upset an entire fanbase, before being shipped out on loan.

Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter Milan, before joining Roma on a season-long arrangement for the current campaign. He has scored 18 goals in all competitions for the Italians, though hopes of a permanent deal look in doubt with Roma unlikely to be able to afford the £37m asking price.

Chelsea, undoubtedly, need a centre-forward with Nicolas Jackson having endured an up-and-down debut season with the club. Could the solution be right in front of them?

“He’s a Chelsea player, so for sure we will pay attention,” Mauricio Pochettino said recently when asked about Lukaku.

“It’s an option. But still, we did not take any decision.”

Given the squeeze of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, a look at Lukaku should at least be considered in the summer. The 30-year-old is a guarantee of goals and could add vital experience to an inexperienced squad. It’s unlikely we will see Lukaku in a blue shirt again, we must admit, but not an idea worth discarding entirely.

David Brooks (Bournemouth)

David Brooks’ battle back to health and fitness has been a fantastic story but the midfielder found himself on the outside looking in at Bournemouth this season. After a frustrating first half of the season on the sidelines, making just two starts, he joined south coast neighbours Southampton on loan in January.

The Wales international has been productive in the Championship, recording seven goals and assists in 10 league starts for the Saints, as he finds rhythm after an extended break from the game.

Once viewed as one of the Premier League’s best young talents, having been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2018/19 alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Marcus Rashford, Brooks’ best can be an asset to Bournemouth.

Jay Stansfield (Fulham)

Jay Stansfield is working his way up the football pyramid and joined second-tier Birmingham City on loan for the 2023/24 campaign, having spent last season with Exeter in League One.

The 21-year-old has handled the step up impressively and has scored 12 league goals in a struggling side. Stansfield’s performances have kept Birmingham alive in their battle to beat the drop, with the forward the club’s leading scorer.

His displays saw Stansfield recognised with a debut for England’s u-21 side in November and he has since won three caps for the Young Lions. Fulham have seen Rodrigo Muniz emerge as their focal point this season, but with Raul Jimenez ageing and Armando Broja’s loan spell from Chelsea having failed to work out, there could be a place in Marco Silva’s plans for Stansfield next season.

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