MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 08:57:48| >> :120:36627:36627:

Best out-of-contract XI including Edinson Cavani, Willian, Giorgio Chiellini

With plenty of high-profile names having less than four months left on their contract, Sports Mole puts together a team of players who are set to become free agents.

With the current uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak and what it means for world football, it remains unclear when the next transfer window will open and close.

However, UEFA and FIFA also have to deal with the minefield of contracts, especially of players who are due to become free agents on July 1.

As it stands, the domestic and European campaigns are unlikely to reach a conclusion by that date, leaving open the possibility of players continuing to represent their current clubs at a time when they are technically able to leave for a new challenge as and when they choose.

Below, Sports Mole puts together a team of players who currently have less than four months remaining on their existing deals, putting them in a position where they can already hold discussions with foreign clubs.



Out of contract XI

Although Joe Hart has been restricted to just three appearances in cup competitions this season, the former England number one will attract plenty of offers when he departs Burnley at the end of the season.

As far as the defence and central midfield is concerned, we have tried to juggle experience with combativeness, leading to us feeling comfortable with pairing Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus veterans Thiago Silva and Giorgio Chiellini in the middle of the backline.

Given their age, they would naturally sit deeper than most players in their position, but it would allow Thomas Meunier and Layvin Kurzawa more licence to make headway from their full-back roles.

With that in mind, we would look to use Charles Aranguiz in a defensive role in front of Silva and Chiellini, with the Chile international having grown into that role during his five years at Bayer Leverkusen.

Although Giacomo Bonaventura has only been used as a squad member at AC Milan this season, the 30-year-old has the qualities which would complement Aranguiz in the centre of the pitch.

As well as experience, we also need some fresher legs in our side, and 24-year-old Viktor Kovalenko is the perfect fit in the number 10 role as he prepares to end his long-term association with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Given the array of attacking talent currently due to become available, we feel obliged to move Dries Mertens out to the right, rather than keep the experienced Napoli frontman in his preferred role down the middle.

Although the 32-year-old has 12 goals in Serie A and the Champions League, Edinson Cavani trumps the Belgian with his proven track record for PSG.

Despite his preference being to work from the right, we would have Chelsea's Willian on the opposite flank, with the licence to cut inside and provide inswinging deliveries for Cavani.

ID:393140: cacheID:393140:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4756:
Written by
Darren Plant
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Marc Cucurella in Europa League action for Getafe in December 2019
Read Next:
Getafe to beat Premier League sides to Cucurella?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!