11 Footballers Who Desperately Need a New Beginning
- Think Football Ideas
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
As the transfer window races toward its close, some footballers find themselves stranded in uncertainty. Once prized talents, they now face limited opportunities at clubs that have moved on.
For these players, a fresh start isn’t optional, it’s essential to reclaim form, confidence, and relevance. They must find clubs that offer trust, opportunity, and clarity to continue plying their trade.
Here Are The 11 Unwanted Players That Need a Fresh Start
1. Ben Chilwell
It feels like a lifetime ago that Ben Chilwell was tearing up the left flank for club and country, but injuries and managerial changes have pushed him to the margins at Chelsea.
Since suffering that serious cruciate ligament injury in the Champions League clash against Juventus back in 2021, his career has stalled rather than surged.
Enzo Maresca’s arrival in West London has done little to revive his prospects, with the new boss making it clear that the 28-year-old isn’t central to his long-term vision. A loan spell at Crystal Palace last season gave him much-needed minutes, but it hardly reignited the spark that once made him England’s first-choice left-back.
At this stage of his career, Chilwell needs more than cameos. He needs a project that truly believes in him, a club prepared to give him the stability and responsibility to rebuild his reputation.
2. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Once hailed as the future of goalkeeping and fresh from helping PSG clinch their first-ever Champions League crown, Gianluigi Donnarumma suddenly finds himself in limbo.
Luis Enrique’s decision to sideline him for the UEFA Super Cup and recent fixtures, favouring alternatives like Lucas Chevalier and Renato Marin, has raised eyebrows across Europe.
At 26, the Italian is entering the years where consistency and rhythm are everything, yet he admits he is “disheartened” and unsure if he’ll even play for the club again. For someone who was celebrated as PSG’s hero only months ago, the contrast is striking.
With the World Cup on the horizon, Donnarumma needs a new stage where his talent is trusted, and not shelved. A fresh start that restores his standing as one of the game’s elite goalkeepers is paramount.
3. Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling’s story at Chelsea feels like one of a star dimming far too quickly. At 30, he no longer features in the club’s long-term vision, exiled to train with what has been labelled the “bomb squad” and firmly on the transfer list with a £20m price tag. His loan move to Arsenal last season didn't go as planned, and he returned to Chelsea.
His hefty £300,000-a-week wages complicate matters, but interest isn’t lacking. Fulham, who would allow him to stay close to his London base and family, registered their admiration, while reports suggest European heavyweights such as Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Napoli circle.
For Sterling, a switch to a team where he is valued as the heartbeat of the attack rather than a fringe option could be the reset his career demands.
4. Nicolas Jackson
At 24, Nicolas Jackson finds himself at a crossroads. Signed from Villarreal in 2023 for £32 million, the Senegalese forward was meant to be a long-term solution at Stamford Bridge, even penning a staggering nine-year deal that tied him to the club until 2033.
Two seasons later, Chelsea’s transfer strategy has pushed him towards the exit. With Joao Pedro and Liam Delap arriving to bolster the attack, Jackson was left out of the squad for their season opener against Crystal Palace, and he trains separately as the club opened the door for a departure.
In 80 appearances, he has produced 30 goals and 12 assists, numbers that highlight his potential but also his inconsistency.
5. Tyrell Malacia
When Erik ten Hag brought full-back Tyrell Malacia to Old Trafford from Feyenoord for £13 million, he immediately looked like a smart addition, making 39 appearances in his first season. But what followed was a nightmare spell on the sidelines.
Since injuring his knee during the Netherlands’ Nations League final defeat to Croatia in June 2023, Malacia has undergone two surgeries, suffered setbacks, and spent 17 months out of competitive football.
His loan spell at PSV Eindhoven did little to change Ruben Amorim’s view, and at 25, Malacia finds himself at a career crossroads. Life in United’s “bomb squad” leaves little room for development, and what he needs now is a club prepared to back him with trust and minutes.
With the right environment, he could still rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting young full-backs.
6. Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko arrived at Arsenal in July 2022 with a £30 million price tag and the pedigree of a serial winner from Manchester City. His debut against Crystal Palace immediately showed promise, providing an assist as Arsenal began what would become a title-challenging season.
The Ukraine international even delivered memorable moments, like his crucial strike against Aston Villa in February 2023 that briefly lifted Arsenal further clear at the top. Yet, two years on, Zinchenko has slipped from being a reliable starter to an increasingly peripheral figure.
At 28, his mix of technical ability and versatility still holds value, and they are qualities that could shine brighter in a side willing to hand him a role he no longer commands at Arsenal.
7. Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku’s time at Chelsea has been a mixture of promise and frustration. The French forward arrived from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £50 million with expectations of being a star under Mauricio Pochettino, but injuries and inconsistent opportunities have limited his impact, leaving room for younger talents like Cole Palmer to step up.
Despite this, Nkunku impressed during the Club World Cup, contributing to Chelsea’s 3-0 triumph over PSG and scoring a crucial goal against Benfica in the last 16, earning praise from staff and manager Enzo Maresca for his training performances.
Yet, with new arrivals adding competition and Chelsea only able to offer a squad role, Nkunku must evaluate his options, as interests are reportedly coming from Spain and Germany.
8. Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho remains one of Manchester United’s brightest young talents, yet his pathway into the first team has stalled. Despite his flair and eye for goal, he has been largely peripheral this season, and a move elsewhere could provide the spark he needs to truly flourish.
Reports indicate Chelsea are preparing an offer for the 21-year-old, though United are determined not to sell on the cheap, aware of both Garnacho’s potential and the financial boost his departure could bring.
Surprisingly, he has also turned down a move to Bayern Munich, underscoring his desire to control the next step of his career. As negotiations loom, United must carefully balance Garnacho’s ambitions with their own strategic and financial priorities, making any transfer a pivotal moment for both the player and the club.
9. Jakub Kiwior
Jakub Kiwior showed flashes of real promise during his brief stint at Arsenal, stepping up admirably whenever called upon. He made a memorable debut in the Europa League and quickly earned starts in the Premier League, even scoring his first goal in a 5–0 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Yet despite these highlights, Kiwior now faces stiff competition in a defence bolstered by new signings. Rather than lingering as a backup or temporary fix, the Polish defender would benefit from a move to a club that sees him as a core starter, somewhere he can consistently develop and fulfil the potential he hinted at in those few standout appearances.
10. Kalvin Phillips
Kalvin Phillips’ move to Manchester City has proven to be a rocky chapter in his career. Limited to just 16 Premier League appearances since joining the champions in 2022, Phillips struggled to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s system, compounded by injuries and fitness issues.
Loan spells at West Ham United and Ipswich Town have been equally turbulent, highlighted by errors, disciplinary problems, and public scrutiny from fans and coaches alike.
Once a midfield mainstay for England, Phillips needs an environment that values his strengths and allows him to rebuild both confidence and form. A fresh start could be the key to reviving a career that still has plenty to offer.
11. Yves Bissouma
Lately, Yves Bissouma’s Spurs journey has hit a rough patch, with disciplinary issues and exclusion from key squads casting a shadow over his potential. New manager Thomas Frank has taken a firm approach, leaving Bissouma out of the squad for the Super Cup clash against Paris St-Germain.
Whether he will be reintegrated into the Lilywhites remains uncertain, and if not, he may need to seek pastures new. Addressing his punctuality and professionalism will also be crucial for any fresh start.
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