A Premier League title-challenging team could be formed from stars out of contract this summer like Modric and Cavani
EVERYBODY loves a free transfer.
But what if you could create an entire starting XI out of potential free agents?
That’s exactly what we’ve done at SunSport, bringing you not one but TWO starting XIs made up entirely of players who are currently out of contract at the end of the season.
There are some huge names involved, and we reckon both these sides would have a great shot at the Premier League title.
Let’s take a look at these two juggernauts then…
1st XI (4-3-3):
GK: JOE HART (English, 32, Burnley)
RB: THOMAS MEUNIER (Belgian, 28, PSG)
CB: TOBY ALDERWEIRELD (Belgian, 30, Spurs)
CB: JAN VERTONGHEN (Belgian, 32, Spurs)
LB: LAYVIN KURZAWA (French, 27, PSG)
CM: CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (Danish, 27, Spurs)
CM: LUKA MODRIC (Croatian, 34, Real Madrid)
CM: DAVID SILVA (Spanish, 33, Man City)
RW: WILLIAN (Brazilian, 31, Chelsea)
ST: EDINSON CAVANI (Uruguayan, 32, PSG)
LW: PEDRO (Spanish, 32, Chelsea)
VERDICT:
A SOLID looking team for sure.
Cavani would be a great outlet through the middle, surely guaranteeing at least 20 goals a season.
While Willian and Pedro would provide ample support up and down the wings.
Modric’s age makes him ideal for a holding midfield position.
And his passes would look magical alongside the technical prowess of both Silva and Eriksen.
In defence, Meunier and Kurzawa are good runners while Alderweireld and Vertonghen are still regarded as top centre-backs.
Goalkeeper Hart may be a cause for concern, but the rest of the team is so good he may not even see much action each match.
2nd XI (4-3-3):
GK: CLAUDIO BRAVO (Chilean, 36, Man City)
RB: NATHANIEL CLYNE (England, 28, Liverpool)
CB: ERIC BAILLY (Ivorian, 25, Man Utd)
CB: GIORGIO CHIELLINI (Italian, 35, Juventus)
LB: JAMES MILNER (English, 33, Liverpool)
CM: MARIO GOTZE (German, 27, Borussia Dortmund)
CM: NEMANJA MATIC (Serbian, 31, Man Utd)
CM: BLAISE MATUIDI (French, 32, Juventus)
RW: JOSE CALLEJON (Spanish, 32, Napoli)
ST: DRIES MERTENS (Belgian, 32, Napoli)
LW: RYAN FRASER (Scottish, 25, Bournemouth)
VERDICT:
ANOTHER good side – but certainly weaker in midfield at least.
The forward line is formidable, with Callejon and Mertens well accustomed to each other.
While Fraser has the potential to become a top winger at the right club.
Bailly and Chilellini is as powerful a defensive partnership as they come.
While Clyne and Milner are still more than capable of holding their own in the full-back positions.
However, Bravo is certainly seen better days and may need looking at sooner rather than later.
But it’s midfield where this team falls short, with Matic no longer the player he once was.
The same can be said of Gotze, despite his age, although Matuidi remains a top-class shuttler.