Benik Afobe, Sam Byram, Moussa Dembele on Premier League radars
Monday 11 January 2016 11:56, UK
With the January transfer window in full swing, there's plenty of reported interest from the Premier League in Championship players.
Among the names that have been mentioned are Fulham's Moussa Dembele, Leeds' Sam Byram and Wolves striker Benik Afobe.
Sky Sports' Football League pundit Don Goodman has given his verdict on the trio and two other players who could make the step up to the top-flight this month....
Benik Afobe - Wolves
GOODMAN SAYS: "He has suffered badly with the events of last summer's transfer window when he saw a terrific opportunity to go and play in the Premier League disappear.
"Psychologically he didn't handle it as well as he would have hoped and he was clearly affected by it. But you still look at his goals return of last season and, even though he hasn't hit the heights this season, he is a player who will score you goals and there are lots of clubs, particularly in the middle to bottom half of the Premier League, who need goals.
"He's a goalscorer, still with a lot of improvement to do, but someone like Norwich will probably go back in for him and can Wolves keep him? I don't know.
"The speculation in the summer did affect him and if Wolves can get a seriously good fee they could use it wisely to mount a promotion push in the second half of the campaign."
Ross McCormack - Fulham
GOODMAN SAYS: "I don't know what has put Premier League clubs off paying the fee to wrench Ross McCormack away from Fulham; I would not have hesitated because he is a very intelligent player, he scores goals, creates them and is vocal on the pitch.
"I think Fulham would be mad to let him go if they want to build something under a new manager, but if I were a Premier League club I would be very interested in him. I think he would be a guaranteed success in the Premier League.
"People always wonder about taking players from the Championship to the Premier League but I am staggered that there are not more taken. If you look back at clubs that have got promoted and how many of the players that have plied their trade in the Championship then hold their own or better in the Premier League.
"If we are talking strikers just look at Charlie Austin, Danny Ings, Rickie Lambert, Grant Holt and, most recently, Jamie Vardy. It staggers me that Premier League clubs don't give more opportunities to Championship players."
Moussa Dembele - Fulham
GOODMAN SAYS: "I am not sure the timing is good for Dembele. He has a regular spot and he is playing alongside McCormack, who I think is in the top three players in the Championship.
"I wouldn't let either of them go if I were Fulham and Dembele perhaps needs to stay, get some more minutes under his belt and score some goals.
"Perhaps some of the clubs he has been linked with are clubs where he wouldn't get a regular first-team spot and I am not sure if that would be right for him, but time will tell."
Sam Byram - Leeds
GOODMAN SAYS: "The fact he didn't sign a contract in the summer maybe put him under pressure and until four or six weeks ago I didn't recognise him from the player I had admired over the last few seasons as a young prospect playing good football week in, week out, whether at right-back or right midfield.
"As a Premier League scout you would have had serious questions as to whether or not he was worth a punt on, but recently he has come into his own.
"Steve Evans is getting the best out of him and he has looked the player he has been over the last couple of seasons.
"I think the speculation and contract talk may have had a negative impact. He's only young and the best thing for him would be to get his contract sorted and get his future resolved so he can kick on with what should be a promising career."
Jordan Rhodes - Blackburn
GOODMAN SAYS: "Blackburn have got a new manager, an experienced one, and Paul Lambert will fight tooth and nail to keep Rhodes at the club. But it's not looking likely they can make a play-off charge after losing three in a row.
"Do they cash in on a player who can bring a lot of money to the club or do you keep him and try to build around him? I know what Paul Lambert would like to do but it might not be his choice.
"For Rhodes there is a question as to why after all these years of scoring lots of goals a Premier League club hasn't taken a punt on him. He is a clever player and in the right team I think he would score goals in the Premier League.
"You look at Vardy, Ings and Austin, and I don't see him as too dissimilar, in fact some would say he has been more prolific than Vardy over his career.
"It will be difficult for Blackburn to keep hold of him and if the right offer comes then maybe for the sake of his career it might be time to make that move, but I am sure there will be a reluctance from Blackburn and the manager to let him leave."
