Players Released

[mjc23]

Goalkeepers


Damian Martinez (Arsenal): The 22-year-old Argentine played in Champions League for Gunners this season, but has also been on loan at Rotherham.

Conrad Logan (Leicester): The Irishman has dropped down pecking order with the Foxes and, at 29, will look to move on.

Brad Jones (Liverpool): The Aussie’s time at Anfield is coming to an end after making 27 appearances in five years.

Steve Harper (Hull): Back in Tigers’ first team at age of 40, but contract talks on hold as they fight relegation.

Ben Amos (Man Utd): Looks likely to be another goalkeeping graduate to leave Old Trafford, probably for Bolton Wanderers.

Brian Murphy (QPR): Has made just two league appearances in four years at Rangers and the 31-year-old may not be offered a new deal.

Thomas Sorensen (Stoke): The 38-year-old Dane is spending the summer on a charity bike ride across America, but will be available on his return.

Gerhard Tremmel (Swansea): Has played his part as understudy to Lukasz Fabianski, but the 36-year-old’s deal runs out this summer.

David Cornell (Swansea): The Swans’ third-choice ‘keeper who spent end of season at Portsmouth, but has not played in league in six years at club.

Brad Friedel (Tottenham): Is Spurs’ No.3 at the age of 43 and is being linked with a shock switch to Chelsea.

Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham): Has been a great servant to Bolton and the Hammers, but the 40-year-old looks set to move on.

Boaz Myhill (WBA): The Wales international is back in the Baggies’ first team and club have option to extend contract.

 

[mjc23]

Defenders

Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa): The defensive solidity of ‘Concrete Ron’ looks set to attract Manchester United in the summer as his Villa deal ends.

Micah Richards (Emirates Marketing Project): Once England's great hope at right-back, Richards has spent the season on-loan at Fiorentina, featuring in the Europa League but often being omitted from Serie A action.

Chris Herd (Aston Villa): The 26-year-old Aussie had a loan spell at Wigan ended by injury and may have played his last Villa game.

Michael Duff (Burnley): In his testimonial year at Turf Moor, the 37-year-old has risen through the leagues with Burnley.

Steven Reid (Burnley): The Irish international provides plenty of experience, but has seen his career hit by several injuries.

Damien Delaney (C Palace): Despite being a regular starter, the Irishman, 33, has not been offered a new deal and may move on.

Brede Hangeland (C Palace): Signed on a one-year-deal from Fulham last season, the big Norwegian has struggled to stake a regular starting claim.

Sylvain Distin (Everton): The 37-year-old has lost his place in the Everton side since Christmas and will head for the exit.

Antolin Alcaraz (Everton): Out of contract at the Toffees, but manager Roberto Martinez says the 33-year-old has a chance of a new deal.

Luke Garbutt (Everton): The England Under-21 left-back is still talking about a new Goodison contract and may choose not to sign one.

Marcin Wasilewski (Leicester): The Polish defender, 34, has been a mainstay of the Foxes’ relegation battle, but contract talks are on hold.

Paul Konchesky (Leicester): The veteran full-back has been seeing regular Premier League action, but could be on his way out of the King Power.

Matthew Upson (Leicester): The 36-year-old former England centre-half could be heading out of Leicester as his one-year deal expires.

Maynor Figueroa (Hull): A non-nonsense defender, the 32-year-old Honduran is one of the Hull players waiting on their Premier League fate.

Liam Rosenoir (Hull): Son of Leroy, the 30-year-old full-back has been a squad member for much of the season.

Paul McShane (Hull): After falling out with manager Steve Bruce, the 29-year-old Irishman has returned to the side, but has put talks on hold.

Alex Bruce (Hull): The son of Hull manager Steve has enjoyed a regular run in the team, but is another putting off discussions of a new deal.

Glen Johnson (Liverpool): Set to leave Anfield after refusing to take a pay cut. The 30-year-old full-back could be an expensive recruit.

Kolo Toure (Liverpool): The older of the Toure brothers, at 34, he has spent most of his career in the top flight and would be available on a free.

Jon Flanagan (Liverpool): The 22-year-old looks set to get a contract extension, but is recovering from a long-term knee injury.

Richard Dunne (QPR): Veteran Irish campaigner, who, at 35, believes he has more to offer on the big stage.

Clint Hill (QPR): The 36-year-old has admitted it could be a long wait for talks on a new deal, whether as a player or coach at Loftus Road.

Andy Wilkinson (Stoke): Has been with the club since the age of 14, but the 30-year-old full-back has not played in the Premier League since April 2014.

Anthony Reveillere (Sunderland): The 35-year-old France international made a good early impression, but lost his first-team place under dingdong Advocaat.

Wes Brown (Sunderland): The ex-Man Utd defender will be 35 when his deal at the Stadium of Light ends, but he says he has no plans to retire.

Guy Demel (West Ham): The 33-year-old Ivory Coast international has started just eight games in all competitions this season and could be moving on.

Chris Baird (WBA): Vastly-experienced Northern Ireland man who can provide cover in midfield or at the back, the 33-year-old has impressed Tony Pulis.

Gareth McAuley (WBA): Despite being a regular in the second half of the season, McAuley’s future is on hold and there will be takers for the 35-year-old.

 

[mjc23]

Midfielders
Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal): Has seen his defensive role in the Arsenal midfield taken by Francis Coquelin, the 31-year-old being used as a substitute mostly.

Abou Diaby (Arsenal): His fitness problems make him a huge risk for any manager and any move looks likely to be on a pay-as-you-play basis.

Dean Marney (Burnley): With close on 200 league games for the Clarets, the 31-year-old has played a big part in their rise, but was injured at end of season.

Ross Wallace (Burnley): The Scotland winger has been at Turf Moor for five years, but his future is likely to be decided once Burnley’s fate is known.

Anthony Knockaert (Leicester): The Frenchman has struggled to claim a first-team place and the 23-year-old is set to move on, probably to Standard Liege.

Esteban Cambiasso (Leicester): The veteran Argentina star has been a big hit during his year at Leicester and, at 34, may be persuaded to stay longer.

Dean Hammond (Leicester): Has found his Premier League chances few and far between, and the 32-year-old is still waiting on contract talks.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Leicester): Spent the last part of the seaosn on loan at Millwall, the 33-year-old former Blackpool man could be moving on.

Stephen Quinn (Hull): Has been a vital part of Hull’s squad as they battle for Premier League, but the flame-haired tyro has put contract talks on hold.

James Milner (Emirates Marketing Project): Has had a fine season for the Blues. The England man is a rumoured target for Arsenal and Napoli, but Liverpool look favourites.

Tom Cleverley (Man Utd): The 25-year-old will be free to move from Old Trafford, with Everton and Aston Villa set to battle it out for his signature,

Jonas Gutierrez (Saudi Sportswashing Machine): The Argentine won his fight against testicular cancer, but looks set to be released by the Magpies despite an option clause.

Ryan Taylor (Saudi Sportswashing Machine): After several serious knee injuries, the 30-year-old has reclaimed a squad place, but is unlikely to be offered a new deal.

Joey Barton (QPR): Football’s king of the Twittersphere has yet to sign a new contract, but could be available if Rangers go down from the Premier League.

Alejandro Faurlin (QPR): The Argentine’s stay at Loftus Road has been severely hampered by a knee injury and he looks likely to be released.

Karl Henry (QPR): A real terrier of a midfielder, but hasn’t shone in the Premier League as much as he would have liked. Still awaiting talks on new deal

Wilson Palacios (Stoke): A combative midfield man, the Honduras international has failed to make a single appearance for the Potters this season.

Youssouf Mulumbu (WBA): The strapping DR Congo international has an option deal with the Baggies, but may want to pursue a career away from The Hawthorns.

Claudio Yacob (WBA): The Baggies have a one-year option on the Argentine star and they are likely to take it up, with manager Tony Pulis a fan of the midfielder.

 

[mjc23]

Strikers
Darren Bent (Aston Villa): Has spent time on loan at Brighton and Derby this season as his contract has run down. A far cry from when he moved to Villa for £18m.

Danny Ings (Burnley): Looks destined to move on from Turf Moor when he is out of contract in the summer, with Liverpool in the running to snap him up.

Gael Kakuta (Chelsea): The 23-year-old looks set to leave Stamford Bridge after a series of loan deals, having made just six league appearances in his time there.

Didier Drogba (Chelsea): Drafted in on a one-year deal last season, Drogba helped Blues become champions and the 37-year-old has yet to decide his future.

Shola Ameobi (C Palace): The former Saudi Sportswashing Machine man joined Palace on a short-term deal and financial pressure looks likely to push him towards exit.

Jerome Thomas (C Palace): Has found it difficult to force his way into team with Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie in front of him and will be released.

Owen Garvan (C Palace): A forgotten man at Palace with spells on loan at Millwall and Bolton, the 27-year-old Irishman will be a free agent in the summer.

Yannick Sagbo (Hull City): Has been seen to good effect up front in the Tigers’ relegation fight, but has yet to open talks on a new deal at the KC Stadium.

Scott Sinclair (Emirates Marketing Project): The former Swansea man’s deal at the Etihad will come to an end and he is looking to secure a permanent move to loan club Aston Villa.

James Wilson (Man Utd): The talented front man is still in talks with United about a new deal and, if he does sign, will be allowed to go out on loan it seems.

Sammy Ameobi (Saudi Sportswashing Machine): The younger brother of Shola looks like he is being allowed to run down his contract, so his speed and strength could be an attraction.

Jonathan Walters (Stoke): Reliable front man who has played a big role in Stoke’s good season, but the Irishman is still to open talks on a new deal.

Peter Odemwingie (Stoke): Joined the Potters from Cardiff, but the Nigerian international suffered a serious knee injury and played just three times last season.

Carlton Cole (West Ham): The former England striker looked on his way out of Upton Park in January, but will be seeking pastures new in June.

Nene (West Ham): The 33-year-old Brazilian has made little impression since joining on a short-term deal and will allowed to leave.

Bobby Zamora (QPR): The striker has battled through injuries to try and keep Rangers in the Premier League, but the 34-year-old will be a free agent

 

[stinkfoot]

What the fudge!? Brad's off to Chelsea? I thought he was going to pundit in the U.S.?

 

[mjc23]

What the fudge!? Brad's off to Chelsea? I thought he was going to pundit in the U.S.?

Yea the list is from a few weeks ago. He's definitely retired don't worry!

 

[P.D.]

What about Kaboul? Is his contract definitely up.

 

[NorwegianSpursFan]

Clint hill has had his contract extended, so that's a bargain we can forget about...

 

[Gutter Boy]

Who are we likely to release at the end of June then?

Friedel
Khumalo
Ceballos

for definitely. And then potentially

Kaboul
Archer
Hall

and the usual cull of 6 or so academy players

 

[monkeybarry]

Flamini anyone?!

 

[billyiddo]

fudge off

 

[NorwegianSpursFan]

Why not cambiasso if we're looking for a dm, would also add experience. Look's like he's taken to the league. As opposed to signing flamini that is.

 

[indianspur]

Why not cambiasso if we're looking for a dm, would also add experience. Look's like he's taken to the league. As opposed to signing flamini that is.

Cambiasso has been brilliant, shame we didnt pick him up in the summer

 

[Gutter Boy]

Why not cambiasso if we're looking for a dm, would also add experience. Look's like he's taken to the league. As opposed to signing flamini that is.

I'd be well up for it. A real Davids signing. Get him to understudy Bentaleb, rather than Stambouli.

He only had a one year deal at Leicester, so is a free agent again now. An old teammate of Poch's too

 

[Maltese Falcon]

Defenders

Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa): The defensive solidity of ‘Concrete Ron’ looks set to attract Manchester United in the summer as his Villa deal ends.

An option? Not as impressive as in the summer but he is on a free... I think he is a good leader and organiser.

Would give us a pool of Verts, Fazio, Dyer, Wimmer and Vlar. Not too bad actually...

 

[Gutter Boy]

An option? Not as impressive as in the summer but he is on a free... I think he is a good leader and organiser.

Would give us a pool of Verts, Fazio, Dyer, Wimmer and Vlar. Not too bad actually...

You need 4 senior CBs. And we have 2CV and Veljkovic coming through too. Vlaar's no better than Fazio as the experienced physical option.

 

[DubaiSpur]

You need 4 senior CBs. And we have 2CV and Veljkovic coming through too. Vlaar's no better than Fazio as the experienced physical option.

Pretty much, actually. I'd hoped for Alderweireld as a CB option, but we've got...Wimmer, for whatever that's worth. But having brought him in, there's no need to have more than four CBs, which rules out any additions unless Fazio or Verts leave. And then there's also Veljkovic to consider, although I still think he's best off out on loan at Swansea or someplace similar. And Cameron Carter-Vickers isn't old enough, come on.

The only one on that list worth punting on should Poch want him is Milner, imo: although I suspect he's already off to Liverpool.

 

[rosenthal]

And Cameron Carter-Vickers isn't old enough, come on.

Reckon Dominic Ball probably is ahead of him for the moment. But Carter-Vickers is big for his age, an age which didn't stop guys like Ledley King and Rio Ferdinand.

 

[mjc23]

Yoann Gourcuff is on a free. Horrible injury record but very talented player. Wouldn't mind taking a risk on him.

 

[braineclipse]

Pretty much, actually. I'd hoped for Alderweireld as a CB option, but we've got...Wimmer, for whatever that's worth. But having brought him in, there's no need to have more than four CBs, which rules out any additions unless Fazio or Verts leave. And then there's also Veljkovic to consider, although I still think he's best off out on loan at Swansea or someplace similar. And Cameron Carter-Vickers isn't old enough, come on.

The only one on that list worth punting on should Poch want him is Milner, imo: although I suspect he's already off to Liverpool.

I read that as GB talking about a slightly longer term squad planning perspective.

With a now seemingly very functional academy producing very talented players, and a tech director/DoF bringing in some very talented players from abroad I think that's a very important perspective. Essentially allowing a path into the first team for those talented players and not over stocking on players in positions where we have big talents coming through.

4 first team centre backs seems just about right like you say, when none of them have significant injury problems to talk of. We have a mix of experience and youth and a mix of physicality and mobility in the Fazio, Vertonghen, Dier and Wimmer quartet. Not sure if Veljkovic will make good on his ambition to be involved in the first team next season, but if so he's at least a decent emergency 5th choice backup (along with Davies etc) if it comes to that.

If Carter-Vickers fulfills his potential he might very well need at least 2-3 years to be in contention for a first team spot. Around the age where Fazio and Vertonghen will be getting into their thirties and Dier and Wimmer will be more experienced and hopefully ready to take on that more senior role. That nicely opens up a path into the first team for someone like Carter-Vickers, or perhaps Veljkovic (still unsure what his role will be if he makes it).

Seems like a good composition of centre backs. Of course if a very good upgrade on one of those 4 can be found we can't sit on our hands waiting for Carter-Vickers to come through, but that would probably mean selling one of the current 4 senior centre backs at the club or leave ourselves a bit on the crowded side.