In the past players as important to the national side as Gary Lineker, Kevin Keegan, Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle, Glenn Hoddle and Paul Ince all left the comfort of England to seek challenges and experiences abroad. Were more of the current crop to up sticks and learn the ins and outs of different league then this could only benefit the national side in terms of a diversity of experience. Though this is no guarantee of success – Italy’s World Cup winning side of 2006 didn’t have a single player who played outside of Serie A after all – it certainly wouldn’t be detrimental. Here are 10 players who could benefit from a move abroad.

1. Jermaine Pennant

If reports are to be believed then the on loan Portsmouth winger turned down a move to Real Madrid as they offered him a mere £30,000 a week. After failed spells at Arsenal and Liverpool it seems unlikely that Pennant will ever again have a shot at making his mark at a top club in England so a move to one of the biggest clubs in the world should have been a no-brainer. Though he would have had to settle for being a bit part player at first a reluctance to try and establish himself suggests a lack of serious ambition and at 26 time is on his side for one last attempt to prove himself at the highest level.

2. Wayne Bridge

Dislodging Ashley Cole as England’s first choice left back may not be Bridge’s priority and having seemed happy to warm the bench for much of his Chelsea career he may well place comfort before ambition. However a move to Manchester City is unlikely to see him competing for silverware any time soon and a player of his quality may have been better off making a move to a club abroad where he could expand his game to catch the attention of Fabio Capello.

3. Frank Lampard

Linked with a move to Inter in the summer, Lampard could have had a big impact at the club as coach Jose Mourinho knows exactly how to play to his considerable strengths. Though many players may find the challenge of adapting to a new language and culture daunting this should be less of a problem for Lampard, a well educated and intelligent individual. As one of England’s more prominent players his gaining of experience of a different style of play could have proved highly advantageous to the England set up.

4. Darren Bent

Seemingly out in the cold at Tottenham once again since Harry Redknapp’s arrival Bent could find himself on the move in the summer. Sunderland and Newcastle have reportedly expressed interest but should he move to another club in England he’s unlikely to achieve much more than he has already. The unfairly maligned former Ipswich and Charlton man provides a decent strike return when given a fair run in a side and his predatory instincts could see him do well in Spain.

5. Joey Barton

Away from the controversy that surrounds Barton off the pitch he may get the chance to re-emerge as the tenacious midfielder he is on it. Though his temperament is obviously questionable a spell in a different environment may remove him from the kind of provocation that has led him to so much trouble in the past. His style of play may suit Serie A and should Newcastle decide to cut their losses on Barton any foreign side that picked him up would be likely to have a much better chance of bringing the best out of him than one at home.

6. Darius Vassell

Why not? His chances are limited at Man City, he’s unlikely to even be considered for the England squad unless that changes and at 29 a change of scenery may be the best way to reignite his career. Moving to another country is of course a huge lifestyle choice but two or three seasons in the sun isn’t that long and doesn’t mean you’re banished from the Premier League and the country, never to return.

7. Joe Cole

Consistently England’s best performer when fit and an attacking asset for Chelsea, Cole has the natural skill and ability to dazzle fans on any stage in the world. He’s been at Stamford Bridge since 2003 and if he were to fancy a change you’d expect it would have to be abroad as Chelsea are unlikely to sell him to a rival. Cole’s creative talents when he’s fit and on top of his game make him unlike any other current English player, so much so that Barcelona would be a suitable destination for the former West Ham man.

8. David Bentley

The Spurs winger is another who appears to be out of favour with Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane. While at Blackburn such was his form that he was linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United and bored journalists linked him with both Real Madrid and Inter in January. Bentley is clearly a talented player and his excellent dead ball delivery would provide an asset to many a team, and in a new environment his development may pick up where it left off at Blackburn.

9. Micah Richards

Though woefully out of form at present Richards is undoubtedly a tough and versatile defender who is likely to overcome his current slump and continue to develop into a solid player. Though mooted moves to Arsenal and Aston Villa would be mutually beneficial for Richards and either of those clubs, were he to go abroad he has the ability and physique to make himself indispensible in the heart of many a defence and has plenty of time to win over Fabio Capello should he shine once again.

10. Michael Owen

Michael Owen may seem a strange inclusion in this list considering his unhappy spell at Real Madrid but he must currently feel like he’s having a bizarre nightmare where he’s for some reason signed for Newcastle, gets injured every time he tries to run away and can’t wake up. The Magpies are a constantly sinking ship and Owen simply has to leave if he’s to resurrect his career. His injuries make a move to a top Premier League side unlikely so another spell in Spain or a move to Italy could give Owen the opportunity to turn his career back in the right direction without the constant negativity surrounding him at the Toon. He’d probably have to accept a pay cut but if he’s to win back his place in England’s front line then it may be an option Owen should seriously consider.

Should They Move On?

This list is of course hypothetical but players’ agents are fully capable of engineering such moves should they indicate a willingness to embark on them. Players from all over the world regularly move to other leagues and it’s endemic of our players’ mentalities that it doesn’t even seem to be an option. Be it a fear of a new language and culture, of failure or dropping off the radar of the national team this generation is staying put like none before it.

The Premier League is a big league to leave but as Englishmen our players will always have a route back and some of them could do worse than look at the cases of Fredi Kanoute, Diego Forlan and Florent Sinama-Pongolle as examples of players who’ve gone on to make the move from England to Spain a successful one. We’re always hearing that nothing is certain in football – who’d have thought Emile Heskey would re-establish himself in the England squad? – and it’s time some of our home grown talent took a chance and realised that there are great achievements to be had in countries other than our own.

James Campbell is a contributor to the podcast The Football Ramble.