Premier League Free Agent XI
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The lists of players who have been released, or run out of contract, at their Premier League clubs made interesting reading at the end of the season.
Here’s a team made up solely of players who could have been obtained free of charge. (Most of them are still available for new clubs but Darren Fletcher has been snapped up by Stoke.)
GK: Willy Caballero
Caballero has shown sparks of promise in between the sticks at City but never quite staked his claim to being the club's number one. He's certain to be a bargain for someone.
DEF: RB: Bacary Sagna, CB: John Terry, CB: Joleon Lescott LB: Gael Clichy
It’s an ageing back four, but definitely one that could hold its own with a holding midfielder doing some of the clearing up in front of them. John Terry is getting on but positioning and leadership have been keystones of his game and they won't diminish so swiftly with age as other attributes might.
CDM: Mathieu Flamini
MID: LM: Steven Pienaar, CM: Joe Ledley CM: Darren Fletcher RM: Jesus Navas
Quality in Navas, who would slot comfortably into most Premier League starting line-ups, could be complimented by Fletcher’s experience.
Okay - between Fletcher, Flamini and Ledley it’s not going to be the fastest three in the middle of the park but there is still quality there, and… they’re free! Ledley is, of course, a Wales internation and put in some great performances in the Euros, showing he can mix it with the very best. Stoke have of course already capitalised on Darren Fletcher’s contract ending and that could be a great bit of business for them.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The pick of the bunch - despite his injury it’s come as a massive shock to United fans that the big Swede has been released. When he’s back to full fitness he’s sure to be scoring goals for someone.
BENCH: Shaun Maloney, Victor Valdes, Victor Anichebe, John O’Shea, Alvaro Arbeloa Michael Kightly