Missed Opportunities: 10 Players Clubs Should’ve Sold Before Value Dropped
Small football clubs often face financial challenges that limit their ability to compete with larger clubs in terms of player salaries and transfer fees. As a result, when a small club develops a highly valuable player, it can be tempting to hold onto that player for as long as possible. However, selling that player at the right time can be a smart financial decision for the club in the long run. They can reinvest in the squad, youth and stadium.
Here are 10 players the club should have sold before their value dropped
1) Adama Traore
Adama Traore’s explosive pace and dribbling ability have made him a fan favourite at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but his inconsistency and lack of end product have led to criticism from some quarters. Despite this, Traore was valued at a reported £70 million in 2020, which could have been the perfect time for Wolves to sell their prized asset. During the 19/20 season he scored 6 goals and 12 assists in all competition.
As a small club, Wolves could have benefited greatly from the financial windfall of selling Traore at the peak of his valuation. With his speed and skill, Traore would have been a valuable asset for many top clubs in Europe, and his sale could have generated funds to strengthen Wolves’ squad in other areas.
Unfortunately, Wolves did not take advantage of Traore’s high valuation, and his form has since dipped. He has struggled to make an impact this season and has failed to score or assist in the Premier League. As a result, his value has likely decreased, and Wolves may not be able to recoup the same amount of money they could have in 2020.
2) Raúl Jiménez
Raúl Jiménez was one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League before suffering a serious head injury in November 2020. The Mexican forward was instrumental in Wolves’ success in recent seasons and was valued at a reported £50 million in 2020. However, Wolves missed an opportunity to sell Jiménez at his peak valuation, which could have been a smart financial decision for the club. In 2019/20 season he banged in 17 goals in the Premier League and 10 in the UEFA Europa League.
Jiménez’s injury has since kept him out of action for an extended period, and it is unclear when he will be able to return to full fitness. As a result, his value has likely decreased, and Wolves may not be able to recoup the same amount of money they could have in 2020.
3) Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy was a key figure in Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League title-winning campaign in 2015-16. The striker’s 24 league goals that season helped to propel Leicester to the top of the table, and he was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. At the end of the season, Vardy was valued at around £25 million.
However, Leicester missed an opportunity to sell Vardy at his peak valuation. Since then, Vardy’s form has been inconsistent, and he has struggled to replicate his form from the title-winning season. While he remains a valuable member of the squad, his value has likely decreased, and Leicester may not be able to recoup the same amount of money they could have in 2016.
4) Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans is one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League, with his performances for Leicester City attracting the attention of top clubs across Europe. The midfielder was instrumental in Leicester’s FA Cup triumph in 2021, scoring a stunning long-range goal in the final. He is valued at around £60 million in 2023, but Leicester may have missed an opportunity to sell him at his peak valuation.
While Tielemans remains an important player for Leicester, his value may decrease in the future if he does not maintain his current level of performance. For a small club like Leicester, selling a high-value player like Tielemans can be a crucial source of revenue that can be reinvested into the squad.
In hindsight, it is possible that Leicester should have sold Tielemans when his value was at its highest. However, the decision to sell a player like Tielemans is not always straightforward. Leicester may have wanted to keep him in order to build a competitive squad for the long term. Additionally, Tielemans is still only 25 years old, and he may continue to improve and increase in value in the coming years. They can lose him on a free this season 2023.
5) Harry Kane
Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world, and has been a key player for Tottenham Hotspur for many years. He has consistently been one of the top scorers in the Premier League, and has attracted the attention of top clubs across Europe. Kane was valued at around £150 million in 2021, but Tottenham may have missed an opportunity to sell him at his peak valuation.
While Kane remains an important player for Tottenham, his value may decrease in the future if he does not maintain his current level of performance. Additionally, Kane has publicly expressed his desire to leave Tottenham in order to win trophies, which may affect his value if he becomes less committed to the club.
Say what you want about Tottenham, they are a small club, they are considered top 6 but they will never win anything while other clubs in England are strong and pumping money into the club, both Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Liverpool & Arsenal these clubs have won trophies in England they have pedigree and know how on how to win. They came 3rd in a two horse race in 15–16 season, Arsenal pipped them to 2nd on the last couple of games, they don’t have the right mentally.
6) Son Heung-min
Son Heung-min is one of the most versatile and dangerous attacking players in the Premier League, and his performances for Tottenham Hotspur have made him a valuable asset for the club. The South Korean forward was valued at around £90 million in 2021, but Tottenham may have missed an opportunity to sell him at his peak valuation.
While Son remains a crucial player for Tottenham, his value may decrease in the future if he does not maintain his current level of performance or if he suffers a serious injury. For a small club like Tottenham, selling a high-value player like Son can be a crucial source of revenue that can be reinvested into the squad.
Son had an amazing season 20/21 scoring 17 goals, then he topped it next season by winning the Golden Boot becoming the first Asian player to win it. His form dropped real bad in 22/23, his value is £60 million compared to £90 million in 2021.
7) Saul Niguez
Saul Niguez is a highly skilled and versatile midfielder who has been a crucial player for Atletico Madrid for several seasons. The Spanish international was valued at around £80 million in 2021, but Atletico may have missed an opportunity to sell him at his peak valuation.
While Saul remains an important player for Atletico, his value may decrease in the future if he does not maintain his current level of performance. For a small club like Atletico Madrid, selling a high-value player like Saul can be a crucial source of revenue that can be reinvested into the squad.
8) Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha is an incredibly talented and dynamic winger who has been a standout player for Crystal Palace for several seasons. The Ivorian international was valued at around £80 million in 2019, but Crystal Palace may have missed an opportunity to sell him at his peak valuation.
While Zaha remains a key player for Crystal Palace, his value may decrease in the future if he does not maintain his current level of performance or if he suffers a serious injury. For a small club like Crystal Palace, selling a high-value player like Zaha can be a crucial source of revenue that can be reinvested into the squad. He can leave on a free in 2023 from £80 to 0, you can question the ownership or were they too greedy, or they believed that they were a big club that can offer him a good contract and trophies?
9) Marek Hamsik
Marek Hamsik is a talented midfielder who spent 12 seasons playing for Napoli in the Italian Serie A. The Slovakian international was valued at around €50 million in 2018, but Napoli may have missed an opportunity to sell him at his peak valuation.
While Hamsik was a key player for Napoli during his time there, his value may have decreased in the future due to age-related decline or the potential for serious injury. For a small club like Napoli, selling a high-value player like Hamsik can be a crucial source of revenue that can be reinvested into the squad.
10) Declan Rice
Declan Rice is a talented young midfielder who currently plays for West Ham United in the English Premier League. The English international has attracted interest from several top clubs and was valued at around £100 million in 2021. However, West Ham may have missed an opportunity to sell him at his peak valuation.
While Rice is a key player for West Ham, his value may decrease in the future if he does not maintain his current level of performance or if he suffers a serious injury. For a small club like West Ham, selling a high-value player like Rice can be a crucial source of revenue that can be reinvested into the squad.
At peak Declan Rice at West Ham took them to 6th place, this season they are fighting regulation, his valuation stayed the same but negotiations on what he is valued at will weaken the value due to where they will finish in the league and another year into his contract.
Small clubs need to be strategic when it comes to selling their highest value players. While these players are often the backbone of the team and crucial to the squad’s competitiveness, they can also be a source of significant revenue for the club. Small clubs may not have the financial resources to compete with bigger clubs, so selling a high-value player at the right time can help them to reinvest in the squad and ensure their sustainability.
However, the decision to sell a key player is not always easy, and clubs need to consider the impact on the squad’s morale and competitiveness. Small clubs need to balance short-term financial gain with long-term squad-building and consider factors such as the player’s age, potential for injury, and overall impact on the team.
Catch you in the next one.