Five players who should stay right where they are this January

We all get excited about seeing a player linked with a big money move to a bigger, more established side, but sometimes the best thing a player can do is stay right where they are.

January’s transfer window brings about an annual batch of dilemmas for clubs, managers and indeed the players themselves.

The temptation to jump ship and sign that contract can be huge, but in reality it may not be the best idea at all.

Scott Parker was a cult hero at Charlton before leaving in January 2004 to join Chelsea, but just 15 Premier League appearances later, the midfielder was on his way out of Stamford Bridge.

The grass isn’t always greener and we’ve profiled five players we think should stay put, at least for now.

Jamie Vardy

Leicester’s record-breaking scorer has rarely been off the back pages this season, and his goalscoring heroics have seen him linked with everyone from Manchester to Madrid.

The Yorkshireman is best placed to stay in the east Midlands however, as the focal point of a Leicester side bombarding forward week in week out.

Despite the Foxes’ recent blip, staying at Leicester is Vardy’s best chance of ensuring he makes England’s 2016 squad, rather than battle for game-time alongside big names at a Chelsea or a Man City.

Charlie Austin

Every team in the bottom half of the Premier League will be eyeing up Charlie Austin to score the goals for their survival, but is that the best move for the player?

The QPR striker is unlikely to move in January for anything less than £8m, while a switch in the summer would be free for the incoming club,and would potentially reward Austin with a better contract.

Should Austin make a move back up to the Premier League this month, a glut of goals could see him back in the England fold for the Euros, but are those goals going to come at a Sunderland or Aston Villa? We’re not too hopeful.

John Stones

We’re pretty sure Chelsea won’t like to hear it, but John Stones is better off at Everton.

The centre-half has become a mainstay under Roberto Martinez, and with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku also yet to hit their prime, the Toffees could be on to big things in the coming years.

Things at Chelsea rarely stay the same for long, and while he may be Stamford Bridge’s main pursuit right now, will Stones be the main man in a year or two from now in west London?

Sadio Mane

The Southampton man has long-been courted by Louis van Gaal and Manchester United, but when you do the numbers, it might not be such a smart move for the Senegalese forward.

The 23-year-old has scored just three league goals this season, and none in his last 10 appearances.

Couple that with the lack of goals at Old Trafford and while this transfer may well happen one day, it shouldn’t take place just yet. Both player and club need time apart to return to form.

Odion Ighalo

The Watford man is in a similar boat to Jamie Vardy this January, and likewise we think he should stay where he is.

The Nigerian netted 30 times in 2015 and has proven more than capable in the Premier League, bagging 14 times already this term.

With the Hornets flying high in the top half of the table, it makes sense for Ighalo to remain at Vicarage Road rather than risk a potentially destabilising mid-season move.

Remember, the grass isn’t always greener.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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