Defenders
Left-back: Gael Clichy
Age: 31
Team: Manchester City
One of the many to switch over from the Emirates to the Etihad, Clichy went on to establish himself as first choice left-back, playing over 30 games in each of his first 4 seasons at the club.
He has managed to collect 2 Premier league titles, 2 League Cups and an FA Community Shield in his stint at City and is also an established France international with 20 caps to his name.
With his current deal running out this summer and still only 31, his experience could definitely find use in any of the top-flight teams.
Alternative: Andrew Robertson (Hull City)
Right-back: Pablo Zabaletta
Age: 31
Team: Manchester City
Zabaleta signed for Manchester City only a day before Sheikh Mansour took over the club in 2008 and holds a special place in the hearts of City fans. He has been nothing short of a stalwart at the back, being ever-present in the team and helping City clinch 2 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 2 League Cups and a FA Community Shield in the past 8 years.
Pep Guardiola doesn’t seem to trust him to the same degree as his predecessors and with his defensive capability having regressed a bit (thanks in no small part due to consistent niggling injuries), a contract extension does not seem very likely.
His experience could prove crucial to any mid-table team fighting it out in the league or to help guide younger talents at the club.
Alternatives: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Stoke City)
Centre-back: Per Mertesacker
Age: 32
Team: Arsenal
Bought by Arsene Wenger from Werder Bremen after the disastrous 8-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford and dubbed a ‘panic buy’, the German was initially deemed to be too slow thanks to his lanky frame, but won fans over by forming an excellent partnership with Laurient Koscielny.
His performances at the heart of the defence during the 2013-14 season, when Arsenal pushed for the title saw him voted into the Premier League Team of the Year.
The current Arsenal captain, Mertesacker has been sidelined this season through injury and if his contract isn’t renewed come the end of the season, plenty of teams could use his experience and leadership at the back.
Centre-back: Branislav Ivanovic
Age: 32
Team: Chelsea
Ivanovic signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008 by Chelsea after beating competition from the likes of Milan, Ajax and Juventus and was given the number 2 shirt vacated by Glen Johnson. He began his career at Chelsea very slowly, not making a single a single appearance for the first-team in the 2007-08 season despite his lofty price tag.
He went on to establish himself in the team, winning almost every club trophy available including the Premier League (twice), FA Cup (thrice), League Cup (once), FA Community Shield (once) and both European trophies (the Champions League in 2011-12 and Europa League in 2012-13).
Ivanovic played all 38 league games in the title winning 2014-15 season, but looks like a shadow of his former self with his game littered with defensive errors. That being said, the winning mentality and never-say-die attitude would not be amiss in any team.
Alternative: Bacary Sagna (Manchester City)
