They may see us as the poor relations and easy pickings for cheap young talent before it’s had a chance to thrive north of the border.
But there’s no denying that the Scottish Premiership has proved a useful breeding ground for hopefuls from English clubs trying to catch the eye and make the breakthrough in the self proclaimed best league in the world. The likes of James Maddison, Patrick Roberts, Ellis Simms and Danny Ward have headed over the border to continue cutting their teeth and gone on to enjoy success back in England.
The latest cross border top flight loan looks like being Alfie Donnington, who is in talks with Aberdeen over a temporary switch to Pittodrie from Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham. Of course, for every future England international, there is another that faded into obscurity and is never heard of again. But it can prove a cost effective way of strengthening – especially in January – for our clubs to strengthen. Record Sport looks at a few more prime Premier League candidates that could be ideal candidates to follow Donnington.
Jayden Danns
The Liverpool striker is on the cusp on Arne Slot’s first team squad, but is at the stage where regular minutes would be of benefit – something he’s not going to get in a title chasing team. Interest from England is likely to be high after Carabao Cup and FA Cup cameos, including a scoring one in the Reds’ home victory over Accrington Stanley. Neil Critchley needs more options up front for Hearts, despite the recent addition of Elton Kabangu and his Liverpool youth links may make an inquiry worth a shot.
On Danns’ immediate future, Slot said: “The last thing (going out on loan in January), I don’t know at the moment,” he said. “For us, it (today) was all about the players who hadn’t played that much yet, to give them playing time. And we gave some playing time to a few youngsters.”
Carney Chukwuemeka
The Chelsea wide man looks nailed on to leave Stamford bridge this month and has been linked with Celtic during this window. The Blues would prefer a permanent transfer and Celt slayers Borussia Dortmund were the latest name linked with the former Aston Villa youngster. But Brendan Rodgers needs more wide options and a loan to Celtic Park may prove appealing, especially with Champions League football on offer.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca has been open about the fact that Chukwuemeka needs to go out and play. Speaking before their 5-0 FA Cup win over Morecambe, the Italian said: “Carney won’t be included,” Maresca said. “More or less the decision is like Chilwell and Cesare Casadei. Cesare, probably Chilwell and Carney, they are in the same situation.
“It’s something that I said at the beginning that Carney is a good player. But we have so many midfield players that he will struggle to get minutes with us. Probably for him the best solution is to go and get minutes. So he won’t be involved in our game.”
Emilio Lawrence
The left winger is joint-top of the Premier League 2 assist table, laying on six goals for his Man City teammates. Despite the Citizens’ relative struggles this season, Pep Guardiola’s side remains a hard one to break into for the club’s youngsters who aren’t already on the fringes, such as weekend hat-trick hero James McAtee.
Lawrence, who is a Scottish Under 21 international with the SFA hopeful of nabbing him from England on a long-term basis, could be a prime loan candidate. He was given a taste of the big stage after being included in City’s Champions League squad for their clash with Sparta Prague back in October and now regular top team football appears to be the obvious next step for the 19-year-old.
Tyrique George
The Chelsea wide man was handed a late run out against Morecambe at the weekend and was influential for the Blues, involved in three of their five goals. If you apply the Charly Musonda principle, then even one eye-catching assist would have him on a plane north as soon as possible.
It’s fair to say Chelsea aren’t short of numbers and there’s a plethora of more experienced players ahead of George in the first teamIt’s fair to say Chelsea aren’t short of numbers and there’s a plethora of more experienced players ahead of George in the first team queue. Loans are what Chelsea do and it would appear that’s the only way for George to rack up more minutes now that the early cup rounds are out of the way and Maresca will have designs on winning the Europa Conference League, even if the FA Cup would be a bonus.
Callum Osmand
The young Fulham forward is a man in form, with seven goals and four assists for the Cottagers, who are second only to Man City on goal difference at the top of the EPL 2 table. The Jersey native made the step up to U21 football early and still only 19 is keen to to sample some senior stuff before long, and a loan would be the quickest path.
He said: “I think my main goal for the new year would be to get some exposure to men’s football. Obviously that opportunity can come in many different forms. But it’s about making the next step, pushing on, and getting myself involved in men’s football. If I carry on scoring and assisting to help the U21s, that will give me every chance.”