It’s that time of the year again when the commotion of the players between clubs is at its peak. Superstars move on, ageing lions are let go, the new kid on the block is being closely monitored and wanted by myriad of clubs. With rumors galore and discussion aplenty, it sure tries to make up for the lack of football action. Yes, we’re talking about the transfer season.
Premier League Regulations
A major decision making part on behalf of the club at this time involves deciding what to do with players whose contract expires at the end of the season. While some of them are nearing the twilight of their career, some others are on the lookout for the next big leap with respect to their career.
The Premier League requires all 20 clubs part of the 2014/2015 season to issue a list of players they want to retain and the ones they are willing to let go. However, players may be offered new contracts during the duration of the transfer window, but in quite a few cases the exit door has been clearly opened and suggested by their soon to be ex-employers.
After comprehensively analyzing the list, we run you through 5 names that are on the way out with a lot of clubs waiting to catch hold of them and could be real contributors next season.
1. Danny Ings
First up on our list is Burnley striker Danny Ings who was a one of the only bright spark in a disappointing season for the Burnley team. The Englishman racked up an impressive 11 goals in the 2014/2015 season. With Burnley said to plying their trade in the championship next season, it was fairly obvious that Ings was heading out with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. As a matter of fact, Liverpool has officially announced the striker as part of their ranks for the next season after reaching an agreement with Burnley. At 22 years of age, and a lot of football ahead of him, this might turn out to good business by Brendan Rodgers.
2. Didier Drogba
When Didier Drogba left Chelsea at the end of the 2011/12 season and headed to Asia to join the Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua, you almost thought that it was a classic case of curtains to a celebrated career, heading to other newer pastures for monetary gains. So when the Ivory Coast striker completed the go round to join Chelsea last season and proved to a revelation having being signed as cover for Costa, you just had to throw that thought out of your head. With the striker indicating that he’s already played his last game for Chelsea, the real question is can the 36 year old go on even longer?
Needless to say, if a club can offer him the salary he wants, even at this age he posses the talent to rip apart opposition defenses.
3. Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa, managed to do something only few players have been able to do. He managed to fall out of favour at both Newcastle and Hull in a space of 12 months having been loaned to the Tigers by Newcastle. He was slated to join French club Nice in January but a FIFA ruling made him ineligible to play for the Ligue 1 club. Supremely talented and capable to producing the spectacular in the odd game, Ben Arfa sadly lacks the work ethic required to succeed at this level. If he can sort that out, the gamble could pay rich benefits for Nice.
4. Glen Johnson
One of the highest earners at the Merseyside club, Glen Johnson in the past few seasons cemented his place as first choice Right-Back for Liverpool. However, due to injuries and a mix of other reasons, the Englishman who also has a lot of international experience, had to go through a rough patch in one of his worst seasons at the club getting a lot of flak from the supporters. With Brendan shifting to 3-5-2 formation as preferred last season, Johnson clearly seems to be on the way out. Nonetheless, if he manages to regain his form, he is as good as they come. He is been linked to move back to his former club West Ham.
5. James Milner
As hard working as they come, James Milner has been an essential part of Manchester City’s journey in establishing themselves as a football powerhouse in England. With Milner’s contract set to expire at the end of this season, there were strong talks of an extension. For some reason, those seem to have fallen apart, with the midfielder preferring regular action over a place on the bench for City. Like Ings, Milner also has agreed to join Liverpool come next season and we think he might just to one of the players to watch out next season as Liverpool aim to build on a season that was at best below par.
Honorable Mentions:
- Slyvian Distin (Everton)
- Tom Cleverley (Manchester United)
- Jonás Gutierrez(Newcastle United)
- Wes Brown(Sunderland)
- Abou Diaby(Arsenal)
Well, free transfers are always shrewd business and if you get them right, well there’s the jackpot right there. Especially with teams going through a financial crunch, how they go about doing their free transfers might just be the difference between staying up and getting relegated.
