Marco Asensio and Harry Kane headline the list of players who need that summer move to salvage their reputation

Sometimes, the level a player will reach in their career depends on the kind of manager they play under. Some play in a top club but not an environment that appreciates their game.

Once there, they may be played regularly or seldomly. The former is better but at the same time, it draws them more criticism while the latter is worse but can also be good as these kind of players can make instant impact, making them being considered a super sub.

At times, they deliver masterclass but most of the time, people view them as average and not consistent enough to be relied on, because the demands in the system they play restrict them from being consistent.

Such players may achieve a lot of collective awards but it will forever be clouded how good they actually are or could be if they had played in a club or a system, which allows them to maximize their potential.

A lot of factors determine why players choose to remain in such unfavourable environments. As humans, it much depends on the objectives of the players themselves.

Top clubs pay considerably higher wages than the other teams. Playing for the top teams also attacks possible endorsement deals for individuals, because of the levels these clubs reach in the cause of the season and the amount of engagement they get.

As the summer approaches, certain players will be expected to demand to leave their current clubs due to different reasons. 

Here, we've compiled a list of five players with top potentials, who now need that move in a bid to resuscitate their careers, having been limited or restricted in their current environment.

5. Christian Pulisic

The American has endured a difficult spell at Chelsea though enjoyed and will forever appreciate their run in the Champions League back in 2021.

However, individually, the former Borussia Dortmund winger is not where he wants to or should be at this time of his career given his talent and recognition as one of the best football player to come out of the United States.

Injuries has marred his stay in London and this has limited his importance at the club. The arrival of several wingers since last summer has further dampened his future at the club.

Chelsea have signed Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and others in the same position, while a couple more might be set to join in the summer.

The club were reportedly opened to selling him in the just passed winter window but his eventual injury died any hopes of a potential bid for him. Of course, the club is still opened to selling him in the coming window.

It is a move he really needs and he will also hope to regain full fitness. His mixed time at Chelsea makes it difficult to recall how good he is but looking back at his performance for the USMNT in the World Cup in Qatar, almost everyone would want to have him in their team.

4. Renato Sanches

He only joined PSG Paris Saint-Germain last summer and has been hampered by series of injuries. But one thing that remains uncertain is if he'll get enough game time at the club even when fit.

The troubles individual players go through when playing in a star-studded side is lack of enough game time for them to be able to establish themselves in the environment, and deliver top-level performances consistently.

The Portuguese was one of the best midfielders in the Ligue 1 while with Lille last season and could have moved to Milan, where he was considered a potential replacement for Franck Kessie but instead choose PSG, where he will and is being rotated.

Every top player or top potentials aiming to become top class needs that assurance of being selected as starter week in and out as this enables them to continually access the process of their development.

Albeit he's only spend a season with PSG, the future isn't looking bright for him at the club and his continuous injuries will not help his cause, because there are lots of options for Christophe Galtier, and every manager prefers to work with players who can be available when needed.

Unfortunately for Sanches, he is not that kind of player.

3. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

One of the best midfielders around but being at Lazio since he was a teenager has not helped him get his deserved recognition and now turning 28 later this month, it is now or never for the Serbian to get a move to a much better club.

In the past, top teams have been linked with a move for Milinkovic-Savic but unfortunately, none of the interests has materialize into a move.

Contracted to the Rome club until the summer of 2024 and with him already showing reluctance in extending his stay at the club, the time is right to let the player leave as Lazio themselves can earn a good fee in a potential deal.

Finding a club suited for his style of play will not be too challenging but the age factor could limit the interest of big clubs but if a move to win titles can not be secured, then a move to earn more money could be sought.

This could also mean that if he is not enticing enough for top teams in Europe, he could decide to move to Asia and spend the remaining days, enjoying life, football and playing for more money.

2. Harry Kane

Probably will not be moving or allowed a move, but the England captain deserves much better than a club like Tottenham Hotspur. It is no news that the only limitation he has as a professional is the club he plays for.

Arguably one of the best No.9 of his time and not many comes close to his quality. What he does offers goes beyond that of an ordinary striker and or those considered the best.

At 29, he is yet to have a title achievement and this is the highlight of low, more than just as a football player but also as a person. Harry Kane has the consistency, skills and finishing required of an elite and he is considered one despite not winning any collective title.

He has been linked with move away from Spurs in the past with clubs in England and abroad showing interest in luring him away from North London but Tottenham have shown no willingness to let him leave.

Apparently, the player is already beyond their station and he will be very lucky to have a big team coming for him in the summer, when he already will be 30 - clubs this days prefer the younger players but arguably no team will turn down the chance of signing Kane.

The move away from Tottenham is just what he needs and even at 30, he can still achieve so much more if the right club comes for him.

1. Marco Asensio

In multiple, Asensio has achieved everything there is to achieve in club football with Real Madrid and with his contract ending in the summer, he could be looking for a new home and he should be looking for a new home.

How good this guy is with his left-footed. Whether shooting from long range or curling a shot past bodies and the Goalkeeper, when high in confidence, he looks a master of the trade.

Carlo Ancelotti doesn't seem a huge fan of him though. Tough luck that but Asensio does have what it takes to flourish anywhere and maybe the time has come to seek greener pastures for his individual benefits.

If under a contract at the club and enquired by other clubs, he is a player that will easily cost more the £50 million, hence, the prospect of signing him for free is one that will be relished by any of the top teams.

Despite being underplayed this season, he has registered eleven goal involvement for Real Madrid across all competitions. It will be ridiculous when he settles down in a more positive environment and under a manager that trusts and believe in him.

Asensio needs that move this summer to again project him back to the status of one of the best right wingers in the game. He has almost all the requirements and he can surely live the moment.

The best could be still to come from these players if they can get a move that is more suited for their career demands and style of play.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi