1. Giorgio Chiellini
The Juventus centre-back has played over 250 games for the Italian club. Chiellini recently revealed that he had the chance to play in the Premier League in 2007 when he was talking to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Chiellini talked to Vivo Azzurro this week: “Turin? It has become my city after ten years. I love everything, from the club to the people.”
Personally I rate him as one of the best centre-backs in the world, but will Juventus let him go for free? That’s another question. Chelsea and Manchester City were linked with during the last transfer window.
He’s won three Serie A titles in a row, and Massimiliano Allegri could make it a fourth, could he be seeking change? The Italian has only played in Italy (Serie A and Serie B). Does he want a new challenge? We’ll see.
STAT: Only Alonso and Kroos made more passes than Chiellini in the Champions League this season.
Source: juventus.com
2. Sami Khedira
The Real Madrid man was heavily linked with Arsenal during August and even was ‘supposedly’ close to signing for the Gunners. There have been recent reports claiming Premier League clubs are wanting the German International. Personally I see him as more of a box to box player, rather than a defensive midfielder.
The German World Cup winner has struggled through injury recently, and has only played 47 minutes of La Liga this season. He’s also been linked to Chelsea and Manchester United recently. However he has hinted that he will stay at Real Madrid after a recent interview with Kicker.
“As of now, I see no reason to leave the club in the winter. Real Madrid are a great destination, and I have locked this club in my heart. There is no grounds for me to say that I want or that I have to leave.”
“I was out injured for six weeks, and made the squad after only two training sessions with the team. That says everything about how the club and the coach bank on me. Once I am at 100 percent, I am a candidate for the starting lineup.”
– Khedira [Kicker]
STAT: Sami Khedira is the 10th person to win the Champions League and World Cup in the same year.
3 & 4. Yevhen Konoplyanka (And Yarmolenko)
Someone who I’ve wanted to see in a Liverpool shirt for hundreds of years, well it feels like that anyway. The Ukrainian was so close to sign for the Reds – everything was reportedly done, however Dnipro’s owner, apparently, refused to sign the papers. Konoplyanka had a good 2013/2014 season, scoring a total of 13 goals and assisting 9.
Another Ukrainian who caught my eye a few times is Yarmolenko. The 25 year old plays in the same league as Konoplyanka, and has scored a total of six goals (Third most in the league) and assisted eight goals. That’s a goal or an assist every 60 minutes. He’s also done well in the Europa League, scoring two and assisting three in four games.
Inter Milan, Liverpool and Tottenham have all been linked with the two Ukrainians, it’ll be interesting to see where they are next year.
STAT: Konoplyanka created 11 chances for Ukraine’s recent match out of the 14 shots, meanwhile Yarmolenko got a hat-trick (Via @MerseysideFisch)
5. Luiz Adriano
The Brazilian striker has been on form in the Champions League this season, already scoring nine goals – including five against BATE Borisov. In fact, Luiz’s last two Champions League games has seen him score eight goals and assist one – all against BATE. Luiz Adriano also made his debut for Brazil recently against Turkey.
He has been playing for Shakhtar for over seven years now, is it time for him to leave Ukraine? There has been many clubs being linked with him, including Serie A winners Juventus.
STAT: Luis Adriano is the third player to score two hat-tricks in the same UCL season, after Lionel Messi & Mario Gomez (both 2011/12).
Source: http://shakhtar.com/
6. Dani Alves
Dani Alves, now 31, has nearly made a total of 200 appearances for Barcelona. The right back has made it clear that he won’t be staying there. He’s also recently hinted that he may be going to England.
“I am moving to England next year. I am going to play in the home of football. This will be my last year at Barcelona.” – Alves (O Globo)
Well, a bit more than hinted isn’t? The Brazilian has won 16 trophies during his six years at Camp Nou but has found his place under threat since the arrival of Douglas in the summer. There was a lot of speculation claiming he would move to PSG, but recently there has been a number of Premier League clubs being linked with him – including Manchester United and Liverpool.
STAT: In the 2010/2011 season, Dani Alves got 18 assists.
7. Sergio Romero
The Argentinian saved two Holland penalties in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, and reportedly nearly joined Premier League side, Manchester United. He was on loan at Monaco last season, after not performing well enough for Italian side, Sampdoria. He’s been linked with many clubs, including Liverpool. A couple of months before, he refused that he rejected Liverpool.
“Many lies have been spread, like, for example, that I refused a transfer to Manchester United. To me, something like that is crazy.”
“I am happy at Sampdoria, though, and I will keep showing the coach that I am ready to play and that I don’t want to keep sitting on the bench.” – Romero told Radio Nacional.
There are many other good players whose contract end next summer: Andre Ayew, Fabian Schar, Alvaro Pereira, Rasmus Elm, Eduardo Vargas, Maxi Pereira, Nigel De Jong, Stipe Pletikosa, Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard.
Max
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