World XI featuring free agents in summer 2020

As the 2019-20 season reaches the midway point, a number of big-name and high-profile footballers across the 5 big leagues in Europe (Spain, England, Germany, Italy, France) would see their contracts expire at the end of the season.

In other words, all of these footballers would be available to join another club on a free transfer. The reasons could range from protracted or stalled contract renewal discussions, an unwillingness on the part of one or both parties to initiate any discussions or unrealistic expectations from one or both parties.

Let us have a look at the 'team of XI' such footballers, presently plying their trade in Europe's big-5 leagues, whose contracts run down at the end of the season.

Goalkeeper

Alexander Nubel (Schalke 04)

The 23-year-old Schalke 04 custodian has played all 11 Bundesliga games this season, keeping 3 clean sheets, as his club sit in 7th place in the league table.

Nubel, who was chosen as the club captain at the start of the season, joined Schalke from Paderborn for €600,000 at the start of the 2015-16 season.

Defenders

Toby Alderweireld (Centre-back, Tottenham Hotspur)

The Belgian international joined Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015-16, following a one-season loan spell at Southampton.

Bought by Spurs for €16 million, Alderweireld's present valuation is deemed at €40 million. An integral part of the Spurs' defence as the club made a run to their first-ever Champions League final last season, Alderweireld has scored 6 goals for the London club in 4 different competitions and is a key player.

Giorgio Chiellini (Centre-back, Juventus)

The Juventus captain scored the only goal at Parma in the club's opening Serie A game of the season before a cruciate ligament rupture has kept him sidelined from the action.

Considered one of the world's best centre-backs and one part of Juventus' famed defensive trifecta called BBC (Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Chiellini), the Italian has been with the Bianconeri since the summer of 2005-06 after arriving from Fiorentina for €7.7 million.

Initially starting out as a left-back, Chiellini transitioned to a full-back, with his aerial prowess from set pieces, keen positional sense, physicality, and man-marking skills making him an integral part of Juventus and Italy defences over the years.

Offered a two-year contract extension by Juventus in the summer of 2018-19, Chiellini would be available on a free transfer at the end of the ongoing 2019-20 season.

Thomas Meunier (Right-back, Paris St. Germain)

The Belgian international joined Paris St. Germain from Club Brugges for €7 million in the summer of 2016-17.

The 28-year-old has scored 13 goals in 109 appearances in all competitions for the French club. Thomas Meunier's contract with PSG runs out at the end of the season.

Layvin Kurzawa (Left-back, Paris St. Germain)

Another PSG full-back could join another club for free at the end of the season.

Layvin Kurzawa joined the French capital club from Monaco for €25 million in the summer of 2015-16. The 27-year-old French left-back has scored 12 goals and provided 19 assists in 108 games for PSG in all competitions.

Midfielders

Fernandinho (Defensive Midfielder, Manchester City)

Fernandinho arrived at Manchester City from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2013-14 for €40 million.

The 34-year-old Brazilian has scored 23 goals and provided 25 assists in 285 games in all competitions for Manchester City but hasn't scored in 8 Premier League and 4 Champions League games this season.

Fernandino has won 3 Premier League titles (2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19), 4 EFL Cup titles (2013-14, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19) and the 2018 Community Shield with Manchester City.

Christian Eriksen (Attacking midfielder, Tottenham Hostpur)

Christian Eriksen joined Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur from Ajax for €13.5 million in the summer of 2013-14.

An integral part of the Spurs midfield over the years, Eriksen has scored 68 goals and provided 81 assists in 291 games in all competitions for the London club. The 2018-19 Champions League finalist could leave Spurs for free in the summer of 2020.

David Silva (Left winger, Manchester City)

Having joined Manchester City from La Liga side Valencia for €28.75 million in the summer of 2010-11, David Silva would be without a club at the end of the season.

In 10 trophy-laden seasons with Manchester City, the left winger/attacking midfielder has scored 74 goals and provided 134 assists in 410 games in all competitions, which includes 3 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League this season.

Silva is a 4-time Premier League winner, 2-time FA Cup winner, 4-time EFL Cup winner, and a 3-time Community Shield winner with the Cityzens.

Willian (Right winger, Chelsea)

Willian joined Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer of 2013-14 for €35.5 million.

In his seventh season with the London club, the 31-year-old Brazilian has scored 55 goals and provided 56 assists in 307 games in all competitions for Chelsea.

Willian has won 2 Premier League titles (2014-15, 2016-17), 1 FA Cup (2017-18), 1 EFL Cup (2014-15), and the Europa League last season (2018-19).

Strikers

Dries Mertens (Centre-forward, Napoli)

The Belgian international joined Napoli from PSV Eindhoven for €9.48 million in the summer of 2013-14.

During his time with Napoli, Dries Mertens has scored 116 goals and provided 69 assists in 295 games in all competitions.

Mertens, who is Napoli's second-highest goal scorer in the club's history, will be without a club at the end of the season.

Edinson Cavani (Centre-forward, Paris St. Germain)

Edinson Cavani joined French club Paris St. Germain from SSC Napoli for €64.5 million in the summer of 2013-14.

Cavani is PSG's all-time top-scorer with 195 goals in 287 appearances in all competitions.

The 32-year-old Uruguay international has won 5 Ligue 1 titles, 4 Coupe de France titles, 5 Coupe de la Ligue titles, and 4 French Super Cup titles during his seven seasons with the French capital club.