7 players who were discarded by Premier League clubs before flourishing elsewhere

In light of Mohammed Salah’s exceptional form for Fiorentina, we look at other players who may have been underestimated.

1. Mohamed Salah

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USED AS A makeweight in Juan Cuadrado’s big-money move from Fiorentina to Chelsea, the Egyptian has made a considerable impact in Italy, and while he is only on loan, the Serie A club have the option to buy him in the summer.

2. Diego Forlan

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Not a complete disaster but 10 goals in 63 appearances is hardly impressive for a United striker. Nevertheless, Forlan recovered well thereafter, scoring over 200 goals in La Liga for Villareal and Atletico Madrid, while winning the Golden Ball for best player at the 2010 World Cup.

3. Nemanja Matic

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Bizarrely sold and then bought back by Chelsea, Matic persuaded the Londoners to make a u-turn after impressing in Portugal with Benfica, serving as a regular in the Blues’ midfield ever since.

4. Robbie Keane

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Although highly impressive for a period in the Premier League, most people considered Keane to be somewhat washed up by the time his unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham came to an end. However, he subsequently thrived in the MLS with LA Galaxy, eclipsing the likes of Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan to be voted the league’s Most Valuable Player last season.

5. Gerard Pique

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With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic close to their prime at the time, it is perhaps no big surprise that the talented youngster failed to establish himself in the United back four. However, since his move to Barcelona, he has become undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world, and is part of a backline that has conceded just 16 goals in Spain this season.

6. Carlos Tevez

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Unwanted at Man City, Tevez is now in Italy with Juve. The 31-year-old has scored an impressive 23 goals this season (including a couple in their recent Champions League demolition of Dortmund), and apart from the Premier League’s second highest scorer this season, Sergio Aguero, is arguably better than any of the strikers that City currently have at their disposal.

7. Paul Pogba

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Alex Ferguson was not immune to making mistakes, and even his most ardent admirers would surely admit that letting Paul Pogba go was ill advised. The young French midfielder has produced a series of dominant performances since joining Juventus, and is now widely considered to be world-class player. Ex-midfield great Roy Keane has even suggested his former club should buy him back.

Which players would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments section below.