January 1st is usually the time for New Year’s resolutions but for some footballers in Europe’s top five major leagues it marks the day they can plan a profit move to new club.
Several key players, including Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, are out of contract at the end of the 2021 season and from the start of the year are free to open talks with other teams.
Messi is, of course, the one to take notice but there are some other big name players who will be free to leave their clubs with nothing in six months.
Here are the best players (and a couple of good enough second picks) that are out of contract in 2021 and make up XI free moves.
FREE TRANSFERS XI (4-3-3)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Marko Dmitrovic)
The youngest goalkeeper to ever play for Italy – at 17 years and 189 days – has now grown to become one of the most consistent Serie A players between the bats. The 21-year-old has been instrumental in elevating Milan to the top of the table with four clean sheets in the league so far this season.
RB: Elseid Hysaj (Kenny Lala)
Comfort on both right and left Albanian full backs, 26, has been a reliable, and largely defenseless, part of Napoli ‘s defense since 2015. His supporters may not be attractive to attack. defenders but Hysaj uses the ball sensibly. in possession.
CB: Eric Garcia (Shkodran Mustafi)
A result of Barcelona’s La Masia academy he joined Manchester City in 2017 where Pep Guardiola has been influential in his development. Blessed with excellent reading of the game, and a sense of exceptional position, the 19-year-old has turned down a new contract at City and looks hungry for regular first-team football elsewhere.
CB: Sergio Ramos (Jerome Boateng)
The knees may be bent at the age of 34, but the Real Madrid and Spain midfield combination of bloody determination and charismatic leadership leaves it a asset to almost any defense despite being late. his career.
LB: David Alaba (Romain Saiss)
Able to work in defense or midfield the 28-year-old Austrian international has spent a decade as one of Bayern Munich’s most consistent and reliable players. With nine Bundesliga medals and two Champions League winners under his belt he is full of experience at the highest level.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum (Hakan Calhanoglu)
The Dutch midfielder Jurgen Klopp has transformed from a visiting striker into an intelligent midfielder who is essential in Liverpool’s style of play. Almost unreported, he is a man for the big event as his two goals in Liverpool’s famous 4-0 win back in Barcelona show.
CM: Fernandinho (Mesut Ozil)
He turns 36 next May, and may not bite old, but Brazil has a lot to offer either as a defensive midfielder or a classy midfielder. Another player whose impact and quality will not be fully appreciated by City when he leaves the club.
CM: Luka Modric (Julian Draxler)
A cultured and experienced midfielder who, despite his reduced frame, still runs a class whenever he is on the ball. As part of Real Madrid’s furniture since 2012, 35-year-old Croatia seem to still have plenty of years at the top ahead as long as injury doesn’t take their toll.
RF: Lionel Messi (Florian Thauvin, Lucas Vazquez)
Should he stay or should he go? The 2020 movement saga is expected to take control of much of 2021 as well. The greatest player ever in Barcelona needs no introduction. Since its inception in October 2004, Barca have won 55.9 per cent of their LaLiga games without Messi (having won 66, drawn 39 and lost 22), compared to 73.7 per cent. side (won 368, drew 83 and lost 48).
CF: Sergio Aguero (Olivier Giroud, Arkadiusz Milik, Diego Costa)
Injury problems seem to be catching up with the 32-year-old Manchester City striker. On his day, there aren’t many better natural finishers around. Aguero has more hat-backs (12) than anyone else in the Premier League and is the highest scorer in tournament history with 180 goals.
LF: Depay Memphis (Angel Di Maria)
When he returned with just two league goals in 33 appearances, he was caught by Manchester United in 2017 but since then Depay has rebuilt his career and started to thrive. The Dutchman has 62 goals ahead in 154 appearances for Lyon in Ligue 1 and is 26 years old going high.