The Premier League’s summer transfer window was the biggest ever, with clubs spending over £3 billion on new talent. While many new faces arrived, some familiar players who were expected to leave found themselves without a new team when the window closed.
These players are often not part of the main squad’s plans and may have to train separately while they wait for their next opportunity. For many, this means an uncertain few months until the next transfer window opens in January. Let’s take a look at the situations of a few well-known players who remain at their clubs.
💸 Raheem Sterling – Chelsea
Despite being Chelsea’s highest-paid player, Raheem Sterling’s future at the club is unclear. This isn’t a new situation for him, as he was in a similar position last year before a loan move to Arsenal. That move didn’t go as well as hoped, and his options this summer were limited. Sterling’s family is settled in London, and his high wages of around £300,000 a week make it understandable why he might choose to stay. While Fulham showed some interest, a deal never happened. With two years left on his contract, what happens next seems to be largely up to Sterling, as he has shown little interest in moving to clubs in Turkey or Saudi Arabia.
🤕 Tyrell Malacia – Man United
For Man United’s Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia, the main issue has been his fitness. A serious knee surgery in the summer of 2023 kept him off the pitch for a year and a half. Although he is physically recovered, his career has struggled to get back on track. He spent time on loan at PSV last season but played very few minutes. A potential loan move to Spanish club Elche on deadline day also fell through. There might still be a chance for him to move to a Turkish club, as their transfer window remains open a little longer.
✈️ Gabriel Jesus – Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus’s situation at Arsenal is slightly different. While he has been training alone, it was mostly part of his recovery from a major knee injury (ACL). Though not officially excluded, the club’s decision to leave him out of their Champions League squad is a strong sign that he may not be in their long-term plans. A fully fit Gabriel Jesus would likely have attracted many clubs. With the World Cup on the horizon, his focus will be on getting back to full fitness and finding a team where he can get regular playing time, which might even mean a return to Brazil.
🔄 Axel Disasi – Chelsea
It’s a bit surprising that Axel Disasi is still at Chelsea. As a 27-year-old French international defender with Premier League experience, many expected him to find a new club. He played a number of games for Chelsea last season, mostly in cup competitions, before a loan spell at Aston Villa. Several clubs, including West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth, showed interest during the transfer window, but no move was finalised. However, Disasi’s situation seems temporary, and it is very likely he will secure a transfer when the window reopens in January.
