Premier League farewell XI: Hazard, Ramsey and Mata among stars who could be saying goodbye at end of the season
THE curtain has come down on yet another thrilling Premier League season – with another nail-biting final day of action. But amongst the cheers and the tears, a number of established Premier League stars played what might have been their last Prem match ever. There are a host of household names either retiring, quitting their […]
THE curtain has come down on yet another thrilling Premier League season – with another nail-biting final day of action.
But amongst the cheers and the tears, a number of established Premier League stars played what might have been their last Prem match ever.
There are a host of household names either retiring, quitting their club or perhaps just looking for a fresh start abroad.
Here, we take a look at the “farewell XI”, featuring the likes of Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey and Juan Mata…
GOALKEEPER – Petr Cech
Years in Premier League: 15
Clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea
Reason for leaving: Retiring
WITH four Premier League titles under his belt, the Czech legend has pulled down the curtain on his career.
Cech will be missed by not only fans of Chelsea and Arsenal, but by hoards of others, as one of the most respected stoppers in league history.
RIGHT-BACK – Kieran Trippier
Years in Premier League: 6
Clubs: Man City, Burnley Tottenham
Reason for leaving: Chased by Napoli
PERHAPS not enjoying the season he’d have hoped after a stunning World Cup, Trippier is now set to leave the Prem in order to join Napoli.
CENTRE-BACK – Toby Alderweireld
Years in Premier League: 5
Clubs: Tottenham, Southampton
Reason for leaving: Chased by Juventus
THIS might not be goodbye for the Belgian centre-half, despite Juventus‘ advances, with Man Utd also interested in taking on the wantaway Spurs ace.
CENTRE-BACK – Gary Cahill
Years in Premier League: 15
Clubs: Chelsea, Aston Villa, Bolton
Reason for leaving: Out of contract
WITH his current deal running down, Cahill is set to leave the Prem this summer.
Championship-bound Fulham lead the race but Sheffield Wednesday are thought to be interested.
LEFT-BACK – Alberto Moreno
Years in Premier League: 5
Clubs: Liverpool
Reason for leaving: Out of contract
AFTER five years at Anfield, Moreno will leave the summer after his contract – expires, with Barcelona a shock option.
Moreno fell way down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp, with central midfielder James Milner even preferred to the error-prone Spaniard.
CENTRE-MID – Ander Herrera
Years in Premier League: 5
Clubs: Man Utd
Reason for leaving: Out of contract
UNITED have opted against renewing Herrera’s contract and confirmed he would leave the club on Saturday.
The Spanish midfielder is now set to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
CENTRE-MID – Aaron Ramsey
Years in Premier League: 11
Clubs: Arsenal
Reason for leaving: Out of contract, joining Juventus
AGREED to join Juve in January and has now played his final game for the Gunners after picking up an injury.
Over a decade and three FA Cups to his name, Ramsey will go down as a proper Arsenal legend.
CENTRE-MID – Christian Eriksen
Years in Premier League: 6
Clubs: Tottenham
Reason for leaving: Chased by Real Madrid
LONG the beating heart of the Spurs midfield, Eriksen is being chased by the relentless Real Madrid – and is more likely than not to leave North London this summer.
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FORWARD – Juan Mata
Years in Premier League: 8
Clubs: Man Utd, Chelsea
Reason for leaving: Out of contract
AFTER eight years in England at the Blues and United, Mata is set to leave on a free this summer.
While Arsenal are just one club interested, he has many offers abroad, including teaming-up once more with Herrera at PSG, as well as Barcelona.
FORWARD – Daniel Sturridge
Years in Premier League: 13
Clubs: Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City
Reason for leaving: Out of contract
HAVING spent his entire career in the Premier League, Sturridge is set to leave Liverpool this summer after falling way down the pecking order.
Teams in Italy are thought to be keen on a freebie – but he looks more likely than not to quit England’s top-flight.
FORWARD – Eden Hazard
Years in Premier League: 7
Clubs: Chelsea
Reason for leaving: Chased by Real Madrid
WITH the better part of a decade at Chelsea under his belt, you can’t blame Hazard for chasing his “dream move” to Real Madrid.
The Blues are holding firm on demanding £100m as they prepare for life under a transfer embargo – but Hazard may yet force a move by handing in a transfer request.
