Joe Hart, Samir Nasri, Wojciech Szczesny… nine Premier League loan stars proving their worth abroad this season
Football Whispers gives the lowdown on stars including Andreas Pereira and Gerard Deulofeu currently enjoying European adventures
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A NUMBER of Premier League players have proven themselves while on loan abroad this season.
From Joe Hart at Torino to a host of young Chelsea stars scattered across the Continent, it's been a productive year for the Premier League's loanees.
Here, takes a look at nine such individuals, and why they deserve another chance in the top tier of English football.
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LEWIS BAKER (CHELSEA)
LAST Wednesday, Baker scored two driven strikes, one with each foot, to seal a 2-1 victory for Vitesse Arnhem over Sparta Rotterdam to reach the KNVB Cup final.
Those two goals took the 21-year-old’s tally to 14 for the season in all competitions, strengthening his case for a return to Chelsea this summer.
The English midfielder has spent the last two years on loan at Vitesse, but his performances are suggestive of a player more than ready to hold his own in the Premier League.
Technically refined, creative and a strong finisher, he could soon be giving Antonio Conte some serious selection headaches.
ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN (CHELSEA)
IN January, Chelsea moved to recall Nathan Ake from his loan spell at Bournemouth after the Dutch defender put in a series of impressive displays to prove his top-flight credentials.
And the Blues would be wise to bring back another defensive loanee in Christensen.
Currently with Borussia Monchengladbach, where he has spent the last two seasons, the 20-year-old Danish centre-back has asserted himself as one of the most promising young players in the German Bundesliga.
As well as being defensively sound, he is more than capable on the ball, and could replace Cesar Azpilicueta on the right of Conte’s back three in the near future.
GERARD DEULOFEU (EVERTON)
AFTER failing to establish himself in the Everton line-up under Ronald Koeman, Deulofeu joined Italian giants AC Milan on loan in January.
And the 22-year-old, in a desperate bid to revive his stalled career, has settled remarkably quickly to a harsh environment.
Italian football is renowned for its exceptional levels of defensive organisation, but with his pace and skill the 22-year-old has terrified opposing markers in Serie A.
His assist for Milan’s winning goal against Bologna was a stunning example of his attacking attributes, and he may be worth another look at Everton next season.
FEDERICO FAZIO (TOTTENHAM)
ON Fazio’s Premier League debut, he gave away a penalty and was sent off as Tottenham lost 4-1 to Manchester City.
As far as introductions to a new league go, the 29-year-old’s couldn’t have been much worse.
However, since departing for a season-long loan at Roma last summer, Fazio has reignited his career.
The less frenetic tempo of Italian football has suited the Argentine centre-back, and his lack of pace has been masked beside faster team-mates in Kostas Manolas and Antonio Rudiger.
With good reading of the game, aerial power and decent passing, any Premier League side that plays with a deep defensive line would be wise to consider Tottenham's Fazio.
BAFETIMBI GOMIS (SWANSEA)
GOMIS was unable to live up to expectations after joining Swansea on a free transfer in 2014.
With 12 caps and three goals for France, an outstanding scoring record in Ligue 1, and a powerful 6ft frame, he looked more than capable of taking the Premier League by storm.
However, seven and six-goal returns weren’t enough, and he was loaned to Marseille for the 2016-17 campaign.
However, back in France, Gomis has rediscovered his best form.
Finding the net 16 times and being named captain, the 31-year-old has rediscovered his goal-scoring ways, only to be slowed down by a recent injury.
With Paul Clement introducing a more direct style of play at Swansea, the physical centre-forward is worth a second chance.
JOE HART (MANCHESTER CITY)
FOLLOWING the appointment of Pep Guardiola, Hart’s Manchester City future looked in doubt.
England’s No1 goalkeeper didn’t suit the Catalan’s tactical demands, and he was sent out on loan to Torino.
However, while he has remained prone to the occasional error during his time in Italy, Hart has shown the same exceptional reactions that once led many to consider him one of the world’s finest shot-stoppers.
And, with Claudio Bravo having struggled in the Premier League and Willy Caballero’s contract up at the end of the campaign, Hart may soon be recalled.
SAMIR NASRI (MANCHESTER CITY)
SEVILLA have been one of Europe’s most entertaining teams to watch this season, and Nasri has revelled at the heart of their midfield.
The 29-year-old has revived his career on loan at the Spanish club from Manchester City, with his dribbling, passing and creativity making him a huge influence in La Liga.
The Frenchman told Sevilla’s official magazine. “Guardiola wanted me to stay.
“But, when I heard Sevilla, I knew I needed to come here. If you know anything about football, you know that Sevilla has returned many players back to the top."
And, on the basis of his fine displays thus far, Nasri may soon do just that, provided Guardiola still wants him.
ANDREAS PEREIRA (MANCHESTER UNITED)
IN their battle to avoid relegation from La Liga, Granada have come to rely on Pereira for hope.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been one of the team’s best players this term.
Spanish journalist Victor Olivencia told Sky Sports: “He's been one of the key figures in the team and stood out even in the many defeats.”
With this in mind, the young prospect may soon play his way into Jose Mourinho’s thoughts.
Pereira is currently on loan at Granada from Manchester United, but if he keeps up his current form there’s no reason why the Portuguese manager wouldn’t take another look at him.
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY (ARSENAL)
OVER the last two seasons, Szczesny has been rejuvenated while on loan at Roma.
The Polish goalkeeper has found his best form for the Giallorossi, though he doesn’t know where his future lies.
The 26-year-old told Przegladsportowy: “I don’t know where I’ll play next season.
“London is still my home, I’m playing for Roma but I’m an Arsenal fan. I watch their games, sometimes I’m sad and other times happy.
"Everything has gone well and I’ll do…everything to be a starter next season. As for where, only time will tell.”
Considering his form and the fact that he is eight years younger than Petr Cech, Arsenal may wish to welcome Szczesny back into the fold this summer.
