Contact Us

Header Ads

Goodbye, Premier League! The players and managers leaving this summer


Farewell, Premier League! 5 players and managers who are saying goodbye – and 12 more who could also go


From John Terry and Tim Howard to Julian Speroni and Alexandre Pato, we wipe the tears from our eyes to pay tribute to the beyond all doubt leaving 

The previous summer was a vintage one for Premier League flights . 

Steven Gerrard swanned off to be Robbie Keane's wingman in LA, Didier Drogba made a beeline for Montreal, Brad Friedel resigned, Roberto Soldado came back to Spain and Frank Lampard moved to New York to not play football. Legends, every last one. 

Presently, with one session of the season left, it's a great opportunity to take a gander at the most recent clump of veterans, need aways and undesirables. 

Manuel Pellegrini heads the rundown of those certainly leaving, nearby Guus Hiddink, Tim Howard, Quique Sanchez Flores and Radamel Falcao . 

Be that as it may, a lot of others could say goodbye to the Premier League on Sunday evening, including John Terry and Yaya Toure. 

Here are the ones we could both consider and be tried to expound on: 

Certainly gathering their packs 

Manuel Pellegrini 

Where's he going? 

Some place they may welcome his delicate grandpa shtick. Likely not one of Europe's genuine megaclubs after the gentle frustration of his time at Man City


Highlight
Winning the Premier League, of course.
Lowlight
Perhaps it's the recency effect, but the Champions League surrender against Real Madrid felt like his final epitaph. City were bloodless and directionless, failing to muster a shot on target when a single goal could have taken them to the final. Pellegrini could not seem to find the answer.

Radamel Falcao

Where's he going?
Back to Monaco, initially, probably for a massage and a good lie-down. Then, who knows? Maybe the MLS or China?
BBCRadamel Falcao's substitution v Preston North End in the FA Cup
Goodnight, sweet prince
Highlight
Hahahaha! Oh, you're serious? Probably scoring the winner for Man United against Everton in October 2014. Yes, I did have to look that up.
Lowlight

Tim Howard

Where's he going?
Stateside, baby: the goalkeeper is heading to Colorado Rapids. That's the name of the football team rather than the local waterfall... although we have to assume that Howard, with that beard, will be indulging in a bit of light survivalism in his spare time. Just for personal pleasure.
Chris Brunskill/GettyTim Howard
The wilderness beckons for Castaway Howard
Highlight
Howard shone in the 2009 FA Cup semi-final against former club Man United, saving twice in the penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Lowlight
Howard had a nightmare start to the 2015/16 season, making notable errors against Arsenal, Stoke and Swansea. He's only played once since January.

Quique Sanchez Flores

Where's he going?
We don't know yet. But he's leaving Watford .
Action Images via Reuters / Carl RecineQuique Sanchez Flores
He can even dance. Brilliant man
Highlight
Keeping the Hornets well away from the relegation battle in his first season in English football. Looking like the zenith of the male form.
Lowlight
I've got nothing. Might have had one or two hairs out of place on a windy day once.

Guus Hiddink

Where's he going?
Back into the glass box marked 'Break in case of emergency' located in an anteroom next to Roman Abramovich's office.
Action Images via ReutersChelsea manager Guus Hiddink
He'll be back. It's Chelsea
Highlight
This time around, probably the 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates . Although the Battle of the Bridge against Spurs was also pretty fun – and funny.
Lowlight
Getting clobbered at home by Manchester City wasn't a great way to spend an afternoon. Not that you would have known it from Uncle Guus's serene exterior.

Could be on their way

John Terry

Is he going?
Terry could yet be tempted for one more season in the Premier League and has never hidden his desire to stay at Chelsea. But there's been no movement from the Blues and MLS could be an option. Frankie and Ash are there, after all.
AFP/GettyJohn Terry leaves the pitch after receiving a red card following his challenge on Wahbi Khazri
Captain, leaver, legend
Highlight
Where to start? 700 games for his boyhood club, four league titles, five FA Cups, a PFA Player of the Year gong... Terry has won it all and been one of the best defenders in the world over the last 15 years or so.
Lowlight
[REDACTED]

Mathieu Flamini

Is he going?
He's fallen down the Arsenal pecking order since Mohamed Elneny 's arrival and looks increasingly likely to try a new challenge this summer.
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via GettyMathieu Flamini reacts
"Pretend you're happy, Mathieu"
Highlight
In his latest spell, probably scoring a brace to knock Spurs out of the League Cup.
Lowlight
Coming on against Barcelona and giving away a penalty within 10 seconds. Vintage, self-defeating Arsenal.

Louis van Gaal

Is he going?
That all depends on how the Jose Mourinho coin lands this summer. And at present it's still flying through the air as Ed Woodward looks on with bemusement.
Highlight
Dragging United back into the Champions League was a sizeable achievement and he's 90 minutes from winning the FA Cup. Oh, and that moment when he feigned a dive in front of Arsene Wenger.
Lowlight
There are probably too many to mention by now, but their limp Champions League exit earlier this season was something of a watershed moment.

Kolo Toure

Is he going?
Mamadou Sakho's recent travails have granted him a stay of execution, but some summer investment at Liverpool could spell the end of his Anfield career.
Iain Watts/Mercury PressKolo Toure at John Lennon airport heading to Spain for Liverpool's Europa League semi-final match with Villarreal
Forever in our hearts
Highlight
Played in all but one game as Arsenal's Invincibles waltzed to the 2003/04 title.
Lowlight
That shower photo. Actually, that probably should the highlight.

Tony Hibbert

Is he going?
Very unlikely to get a new deal at Everton. Should probably just become a full-time Vladamir Putin impersonator.
Highlight

Lowlight

Yaya Toure

Is he going?
It's likely. Toure's reputation as a Premier League great is assured, but recent performances have been more granddad than grandee. With Pep Guardiola arriving, he might need to find some other midfield to amble around.
Reuters / Andrew YatesYaya Toure receives treatment after sustaining an injury
Something something forgot his birthday
Highlight
Lots to choose from, but not many players get to score the winner in an FA Cup final .
Lowlight
His performance against Real Madrid earlier this month was one of his worst for City. He looked like he'd spent the warm-up being spun around on a roundabout.

Alexandre Pato

Is he going?
Probably, unless Antonio Conte knows something we don't. Where? Wherever the money is.
David DysonAlexandre Pato arrives at Heathrow Airport from Sao Paulo, he is expected to join Chelsea on loan until the end of the season
Brazilian photo poses 101
Highlight
Shone in an easy win over Aston Villa. Did a decent celebration.
Lowlight
Repeatedly doing the phone hand signal to photographers after arriving in London. You're a grown man, Alexandre.

Eden Hazard

Is he going?
The signs are all there. Spent much of the season sulking/injured/playing badly but has suddenly sprung to life just before Euro 2016 and the transfer window. Repeatedly linked with Paris Saint-Germain, who now need a megastar.
ReutersEden Hazard celebrates after scoring the first goal for Chelsea
Is that the sound of change jangling in Parisian pockets?
Highlight
Winning the PFA and FWA player of the year awards in Chelsea's title-winning season.
Lowlight
His decision to swap shirts with Angel Di Maria at half-time of the Champions League loss to PSG didn't go down very well.

Mikel Arteta

Is he going?
Probably, although maybe not far. He's been tipped for a coaching role at Man City.
GettyArsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks with Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney
"I've said I'm sorry, OK? Now leave it"
Highlight
Everton player of the season two years running, back when he was an all-action playmaker.
Lowlight
Becoming a non-playing captain at Arsenal due to a series of frustrating injuries.

Leon Osman

Is he going?
The veteran midfielder might be slipping into retirement... although he hasn't yet confirmed either way. There is no offer of a new contract.
Liverpool EchoLeon Osman celebrates scoring Everton's first goal with Ramiro Funes Mori
Merseyside's top Steve-O look-alike
Highlight
His longevity has been key: no other outfield player has made more Premier League appearances.
Lowlight
Nothing we can think of.

Julian Speroni

Is he going?
He's certainly slipped down the Crystal Palace pecking order and recently had a testimonial. You do the maths.
Steve Bardens/Getty ImagesJulian Speroni of Crystal Palace
We will miss your beard, Julian
Highlight
Bouncing back from his horror home debut against Everton to become a bona fide club legend.
Lowlight
Losing his place to Wayne Hennessey, a man with all the natural agility of a wooden bench.

Martin Demichelis

Is he going?
You'd think so. Guardiola hasn't got a huge amount of time for defensive oil tankers.
Action Images via Reuters / Jason CairnduffMartin Demichelis clashes with Marcus Rashford
Highlight
His late equaliser against Arsenal in September 2014. Sure, City also conceded two, but he redeemed himself in style.
Lowlight
Specifically, getting nutmegged by Marcus Rashford in the Manchester derby earlier this season. More generally, starting to looking like he's playing in a different time zone to any attacker with a tiny bit of pace.

No comments

Powered by Blogger.