OK, let's run with this little thought experiment of yours then pboro... where did those players go, and how did they do? Answers below:
coolo - Coloccini went to San Lorenzo, a mid-table team in the Argentinian league and his boyhood club, and yet only managed twelve appearances and has been told to find another club to play for (
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport...r-sad-13334148) Don't see him getting into ANY Premier League side, let alone a top 15 side.
townsend - Andros Townsend went to Palace, where he has, by all accounts, struggled to produce the form he showed toward the end of his time at Newcastle. Palace finished 14th in the league, so I guess he sneaks into a top 15 team thanks to the good work of some of his teammates.
winjanum - No arguments here, Wijnaldum went to Liverpool who are a top side. Shaky start, but started to find a place in Klopp's system by the end of the season.
janmatt - Went to Watford, made 26 appearances in the league for a team who finished 17th (so OUTSIDE the top 15).
cabella - Has played for one PL team, who finished 15th (that was us). Didn't seem to be a huge amount of interest in any other PL side taking him on, so we had to lend him to Marseille to get shot. Publicly said he couldn't handle the style of play in the PL.
sissoks - Well, he DID go to a good team that finished in the top 15. However, was quickly found out - by early December, his own manager was publicly criticising him by name. How often does that happen?
taylor - Went to a pub league in the US. Came back, played 3 times for Ipswich, and they decided against offering him a long-term contract. Last seen on trial at Doncaster Rovers.
jonas - Had a chance at a PL club with Norwich and a manager who knew and liked him, didn't make the grade. Back in Argentina for a mid-table team in their top division, managed half a season.
Doesn't seem like many of those guys have hit dizzying heights since they left - why think they're better than what we have?