"28 appearances in the Premier League since 2007!" Its the famous chant that Wigan's rivals just love to haunt Daniel de Ridder with as he watches on from the sidelines. Daniel's not feeling the love at Wigan, and its time to pair him up with a hot new club.
Daniel de Ridder - Wigan Athletic
Unfulfilled potential would be two words that spring to mind when thinking of Daniel. He burst onto the scene in 2004 at Ajax, quickly establishing himself in their first team and appearing in the Champions League. As quickly as he got there though, he was out of the first team, and just a year later off to Celta Vigo. He went through spells in and out of the first team in Vigo, and his time there came to a disappointing end with their relegation in 2007. It was then that Daniel moved to England with Birmingham City. It's fair to say that it wasn't his club form that attracted Birmingham, but more his performances for the Dutch U-21 side. He was an ever-present in the team that won the 2006 European Championship, and was a key figure again in the side that retained the title the following year, clocking up 30 U-21 caps. However, this was the start of his less than spell-binding time that he has spent in England. A move to Wigan didn't really improve things and Daniel is certainly looking for love to spark an improvement in his fortunes.
So who's going to show Daniel de Love?
Blackpool??????
The Seasiders, it's fair to say, have shocked everyone with their performances in their debut season in the Premier League. Their high-tempo passing game is great to watch, and their unrelenting philosophy of ultra-attacking football is both brave and incredibly exciting. Being a forward thinking midfielder, either on the right flank, or just behind the strikers, Daniel is known for his passing and crossing abilities and he would fit into Blackpool's style of play. With Jason Euell still soldiering on in the 'Pool squad, it might be coming to the time where he needs to be replaced and Daniel could very well fit the bill, being a similar type of player. Ian Holloway has certainly not been afraid to bring in players who are not proven at Premier League level (Campbell, Varney) and has had no choice but to use existing players who were not proven (HIS ENTIRE TEAM!) so Daniel's sketchy record so far shouldn't put him off. Blackpool is exactly the kind of club where the players do seem loved and Daniel might just appreciate this kind of warm feeling. Will he find his perfect partner by the seaside?
Queens Park Rangers???????
Daniel might have to accept that he needs to step down a level if he's going to stay in England and find a perfect match. This may be no bad thing as if he moves to a top half of the Championship side he may well be playing regularly and winning matches, a combination that is surely going to bring his confidence back. QPR are certainly a team who fit this bill. They are playing some really good football this season and seem to be full of goals. Daniel would fit right in at Loftus Road as they play some good stuff on the floor, but are also happy to throw in the crosses if Helguson, Agyemang or Hulse are lurking in the box. Neil Warnock has never been afraid of bringing in players with his wheeler deeler type of attitude, and if he recognises Daniel's quality then I'm sure he'd jump at the chance of making a bid. Getting in the QPR team and gaining promotion would see Daniel return to the Premier League as a first team regular and not trying to butt his way into a team from the subs bench. Will we be seeing some flirty texts coming out of Loftus Road?
Norwich City?????????
The Canaries are performing very well after returning to the Championship this year, at the time of writing being sat comfortably in the play-off spots in fifth. They will certainly be looking to maintain this position if not push on and look for automatic promotion and Paul Lambert will be aware that his current squad may struggle to maintain such a challenge and look to keep things fresh with a couple of signings in January. Norwich play with a very creative midfield with the like of Wes Hoolahan and Andrew Surman (when fit) so Daniel would fit nicely into their philosophy. With Blackpool and Burnley having come up through the play-offs in the last two seasons, its certainly a possibility that Norwich could follow them. Will Daniel be shacking up with the boys at Carrow Road?
So who's bunch of tulips is big enough to lure the Dutchman their way?
It is undoubtedly going to be a step down for Daniel after his noted lack of success in the last few seasons, but as mentioned this might be the perfect move for him. With this in mind I'm going to match Daniel with the suitors from London, QPR. If the R's can maintain anything like the form they've shown so far this term then they are going to be very much up there at the end of the season. Daniel might not walk straight into their first team with the likes of Taarabt there, but he would certainly get games, and in a successful, winning side he is bound to enjoy his football again. Geograpically it might suit him aswell, being from Amsterdam I think the bright lights of London might suit him more than the more questionable delights of Wigan (no disrespect meant). I think love could be in the air at Loftus Road for Daniel, lets hope January can confirm this for the man who looks surprisingly like a muskateer.
Wigan fans, are you truly out of love with Daniel? Have you seen enough of him?
Blackpool, QPR, Norwich fans, would you be willing to welcome him with open arms?
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