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#3: Leighton Baines (Everton)
Leighton Baines played his 420th and last game for Everton against Bournemouth on the final matchday of the 2019-20 EPL season. It was a 20-minute cameo appearance from the veteran left-back, which involved a perfectly timed tackle in the penalty box to deny Bournemouth from scoring another goal in a 3-1 loss.
Baines, 35, was offered a one-year contract extension by boss Carlo Ancelotti, who claimed that the experience and knowledge of Baines was invaluable to the squad.
Born and raised in the Merseyside, Baines had aspirations to play for Everton. However, he joined Wigan after staying in the Everton youth set-up initially.
Everton came calling in 2007, and Baines was bought for a fee of £5 million. David Moyes had his doubts with Baines initially, but it was only a matter of time when the left-back became an indispensable part of his team.
Leighton Baines was known for his crossing into the box and key passes along with defensive solidity. He could stay injury free and play every week. Baines was a set-piece specialist who took freekicks regularly and was the preferred penalty taker for the Merseyside team. Baines also featured in the PFA Team of the Year twice in his career.
Baines scored 32 EPL goals and also assisted 54 times during the course of his career, which is a record number of assists made by a defender in the EPL. He also earned 30 caps for England and featured in the 2014 FIFA World Cup as England's first-choice left-back.
With the current COVID-19 situation on, Baines has been robbed of a deserved send off from Evertonians. However, it is safe to say that after 13 seasons and his stellar performances over the years, Leighton Baines has etched his name as one of the best left-backs the club has had.
#2: Adam Lallana (Liverpool)
Adam Lallana joined Liverpool from Southampton after the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The midfielder spent 6 seasons with the Anfield side, which can be divided into two parts.
In the first three seasons, Lallana was a midfielder who could score goals and was vital to the team. However, in the second half, Lallana sustained multiple injuries and as a result missed out on a lot of games.
Recently Lallana got the opportunity to put his hands on the much awaited EPL trophy. Having already won the Champions League in 2018-19 and the Club World Cup in 2019, Lallana has had a career most players can only dream of.
Lallana was one of the first players who adjusted to Klopp's methods when the German tactician first arrived at Liverpool.
The playmaker, who was 27 when Klopp arrived, transformed himself to meet the German manager's demands and performed admirably. The Liverpool number 20 imbibed the philosophies of his boss, and his chance creation output shot up considerably along with an increase in his defensive prowess.
He worked tirelessly in training and in matches to build things up. However, Lallana suffered nagging injuries, and various stints on the treatment table derailed his progress.
Despite all the setbacks, manager Klopp kept giving Lallana a place in the Liverpool XI once in a while, and the player didn't betray the faith entrusted on him. He scored crucial goals and played a senior player's role in the Liverpool changing room.
Six years after his arrival at Anfield, Lallana has won everything with the club as he looks forward to the next chapter of his career. The 32-year-old will join Graham Potter's Brighton next season.
#1: David Silva (Manchester City)
David Silva is arguably one of the greatest foreign midfielders to have ever graced the EPL. Silva's decade-long Manchester City career yielded 4 EPL titles for the club as City broke numerous other records during this period, with the Spaniard being central to the success of the club.
Capable of creating chances as well as scoring spectacular goals from set pieces or open play, Silva has been a reliable player for Manchester City since day one.
The 34-year-old Manchester City captain has made more than 400 appearances for the club. Predominantly a playmaker or a number ten, Silva has also played as a false nine, central midfielder, deep-lying playmaker and at times has even been utilised as a winger.
The Spaniard, who arrived from Valencia in 2010, received an emotional send off at the Etihad Stadium when he was substituted in the 85th minute in City's 5-0 win over Norwich City.
Silva bows out as the record holder for the most assists and appearances made for the Manchester club. He has been the focal point of the success of Manchester City in the era of their new owners.
Along with Kevin De Bruyne, Silva became one of the most dangerous midfielders in the world.
Both Manchester City and Silva are yet to win the Champions League. With the knockout stages of the competition set to begin next month, Silva's job is far from over at the club. The stage is set for the perfect farewell to one of the greatest players of our generation if City manage to win the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola has named youngster Phil Foden as the perfect replacement for the veteran Spanish player.
