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Florent Malouda, Dimitar Berbatov and the top Premier League players in the shop window over FA Cup weekend
Several out-of-favour and out-of-sorts players will be given the chance to display their talents in the fourth round, with the January transfer window closing on Tuesday night
27 Jan 2012 08:19:00
Getty Images
By Jamie Dunn
In terms of importance, the FA Cup has fallen down the pecking order for Premier League clubs, who often prioritise the race for a place in the top four, or top flight survival, ahead of a run in the once prestigious competition.
But for some of those club's players, the FA Cup takes on a new importance this weekend, as several top flight stars aim to sieze the opportunity to put themselves firmly in the shop window ahead of the transfer window closing on Tuesday, January 31.
With the transfer window yet to whirr into life with only a matter of days remaining, can any of these 10 Premier League players use the fourth round as a platform to get their club's and agent's phones ringing?
In terms of importance, the FA Cup has fallen down the pecking order for Premier League clubs, who often prioritise the race for a place in the top four, or top flight survival, ahead of a run in the once prestigious competition.
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But for some of those club's players, the FA Cup takes on a new importance this weekend, as several top flight stars aim to sieze the opportunity to put themselves firmly in the shop window ahead of the transfer window closing on Tuesday, January 31.
With the transfer window yet to whirr into life with only a matter of days remaining, can any of these 10 Premier League players use the fourth round as a platform to get their club's and agent's phones ringing?
| Dimitar Berbatov - Manchester United |
Linked with a January exit from Manchester United, but with a move yet to materialise, Dimitar Berbatov may have to wait until the summer and the expiration of his contract before his future becomes clearer.
Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to field what he considers close to be his strongest side against bitter rivals Liverpool in the fourth round, but Berbatov may still get the nod and as his hat-trick against the Anfield club in September last season showed – as well as eight goals in 16 appearances in all competitions this campaign - the Bulgarian is still a threat.
Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to field what he considers close to be his strongest side against bitter rivals Liverpool in the fourth round, but Berbatov may still get the nod and as his hat-trick against the Anfield club in September last season showed – as well as eight goals in 16 appearances in all competitions this campaign - the Bulgarian is still a threat.
| Andy Carroll - Liverpool |
It is somewhat fanciful to suggest Andy Carroll could be on his way out of Liverpool after manager Kenny Dalglish vehemently denied the rumours the striker had been offered back to Newcastle United during the transfer window.
But few could deny Carroll’s Anfield career has gone anything but according to plan since his big-money move 12 months ago.
Having not featured in the League Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City, Carroll could be handed a starting berth against Manchester United and impressing in such a massive clash would go some way to reminding everyone why the former Newcastle man was so sought after by Liverpool.
But few could deny Carroll’s Anfield career has gone anything but according to plan since his big-money move 12 months ago.
Having not featured in the League Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City, Carroll could be handed a starting berth against Manchester United and impressing in such a massive clash would go some way to reminding everyone why the former Newcastle man was so sought after by Liverpool.
| Simon Cox - West Brom |
Once one of the Football League’s most wanted talents, Simon Cox has fallen down the pecking order at West Brom since the arrival of Roy Hodgson and the purchase of Shane Long, with Premier League starts becoming hard to come by this season.
But the Republic of Ireland international’s hat-trick in the third round against Cardiff City suggested Cox could still prove to be a valuable asset for a top flight or Championship club, and may get another chance to impress against Norwich City as Hodgson rotates his squad with the Baggies looking for the valuable points to keep them away from the relegation zone.
But the Republic of Ireland international’s hat-trick in the third round against Cardiff City suggested Cox could still prove to be a valuable asset for a top flight or Championship club, and may get another chance to impress against Norwich City as Hodgson rotates his squad with the Baggies looking for the valuable points to keep them away from the relegation zone.
| Andy Johnson - Fulham |
Despite featuring regularly in qualifying for the Europa League, Andy Johnson has found Premier League starts hard to come by in recent weeks.
Fulham boss Martin Jol has reportedly been in the market for a new striker, with Johnson and Bobby Zamora both linked with January exits, though it appears the latter has patched up his issues with the Dutchman
Jol may hand Johnson, who at one point appeared to be set to join QPR before the sacking of Neil Warnock, a start against his former club Everton on Friday evening.
Fulham boss Martin Jol has reportedly been in the market for a new striker, with Johnson and Bobby Zamora both linked with January exits, though it appears the latter has patched up his issues with the Dutchman
Jol may hand Johnson, who at one point appeared to be set to join QPR before the sacking of Neil Warnock, a start against his former club Everton on Friday evening.
| Peter Lovenkrands - Newcastle |
The signing of Demba Ba, and Alan Pardew’s preference for Leon Best and Shola Ameobi, has seen Peter Lovenkrand’s role on Tyneside reduced to that of a bit-part player this season, with the Dane making just nine appearances in all competitions.
And with Ba set to return from the Africa Cup of Nations imminently with Senegal team-mate and January signing Papiss Demba Cisse in tow, Lovenkrands is likely to find first team opportunities even more limited.
The 31-year-old has scored three goals in as many League Cup games this season though, and could be involved against Championship side Brighton on Saturday.
And with Ba set to return from the Africa Cup of Nations imminently with Senegal team-mate and January signing Papiss Demba Cisse in tow, Lovenkrands is likely to find first team opportunities even more limited.
The 31-year-old has scored three goals in as many League Cup games this season though, and could be involved against Championship side Brighton on Saturday.
| Florent Malouda - Chelsea |
A mainstay under Carlo Ancelotti and a Premier League champion at Chelsea, Florent Malouda has found first team starts hard to come by since the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge and has voiced his concerns over a lack of playing time.
Malouda has been linked to a string of big spending clubs, including Ancelotti’s Paris Saint-Germain and Anzhi Makhachkala, though the French midfielder admitted he could not even pronounce the name of the Russian club.
The France international was on song in the third round against Portsmouth, and could encourage more clubs to move for him with an eye-catching performance against QPR at Loftus Road.
Malouda has been linked to a string of big spending clubs, including Ancelotti’s Paris Saint-Germain and Anzhi Makhachkala, though the French midfielder admitted he could not even pronounce the name of the Russian club.
The France international was on song in the third round against Portsmouth, and could encourage more clubs to move for him with an eye-catching performance against QPR at Loftus Road.
| Roman Pavlyuchenko - Tottenham |
With Tottenham adopting a system which relies heavily on loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor playing as a lone striker, and Jermain Defoe performing well from the bench, Roman Pavlyuchenko has found himself resigned to being third choice at White Hart Lane.
The Russian’s agent suggested the striker’s contract had been extended recently, but there has been no confirmation, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would likely be willing to cash in if he were to receive a suitable offer, while Pavlyuchenko would surely relish the chance to play regular first team football.
The 30-year-old has been prolific in cup competitions since his arrival in England, and will be looking to continue his impressive record against Watford.
The Russian’s agent suggested the striker’s contract had been extended recently, but there has been no confirmation, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would likely be willing to cash in if he were to receive a suitable offer, while Pavlyuchenko would surely relish the chance to play regular first team football.
The 30-year-old has been prolific in cup competitions since his arrival in England, and will be looking to continue his impressive record against Watford.
| Steven Pienaar - Tottenham |
A January signing just 12 months ago, Steven Pienaar has struggled to break into the Tottenham starting XI due to consistent injury problems, while Harry Redknapp is not short of options in midfield.
The South African has made just six appearances for Spurs this season – 17 since his arrival in 2011 – but has featured in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
Redknapp insists he would be reluctant to let Pienaar leave, but Spurs would surely be tempted by any offer which extends beyond the reported £3 million paid for the midfielder.
The South African has made just six appearances for Spurs this season – 17 since his arrival in 2011 – but has featured in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
Redknapp insists he would be reluctant to let Pienaar leave, but Spurs would surely be tempted by any offer which extends beyond the reported £3 million paid for the midfielder.
| Tuncay Sanli - Bolton |
Turkish striker Tuncay is technically not even a Bolton player – he’s currently on a season-long loan from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg – but his impact at the Reebok Stadium has been largely from the substitute’s bench.
Tuncay started in the third round against Macclesfield and failed to add to his tally of one goal for the season, so the former Middlesbrough man will want to feature against Swansea City.
The 30-year-old could be playing for a permanent move to Bolton at the end of the season, or attracting interest from potential suitors.
Tuncay started in the third round against Macclesfield and failed to add to his tally of one goal for the season, so the former Middlesbrough man will want to feature against Swansea City.
The 30-year-old could be playing for a permanent move to Bolton at the end of the season, or attracting interest from potential suitors.
| Sebastien Squillaci - Arsenal |
Signed in the summer of 2010 to provide defensive options for Arsene Wenger’s side, Sebastien Squillaci has appeared just five times for Arsenal all season, due to the signing of Per Mertesacker, the return to fitness of Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny’s upturn in form.
Squillaci’s few starts have come in cup competition though, and he was among the starting XI which defeated Leeds United 1-0 in the third round, thanks to a second half winner from Thierry Henry.
Still only 31, Squillaci could offer a team in his native France, or Spain where he previously played for Sevilla, a worthy central defensive option, and should line up against Aston Villa at the weekend.
Squillaci’s few starts have come in cup competition though, and he was among the starting XI which defeated Leeds United 1-0 in the third round, thanks to a second half winner from Thierry Henry.
Still only 31, Squillaci could offer a team in his native France, or Spain where he previously played for Sevilla, a worthy central defensive option, and should line up against Aston Villa at the weekend.
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