Gooner Daily

June 30th marks the end of a contract cycle in world football, with players officially commencing new contracts in their new clubs on July 1st, or staying as free agents for the time being in search of new clubs to move to. Typically, players get tapped up as early as January, while some clubs remain hopeful to retain the services of their playing staff, like how Arsenal was successful with extending the contract of Eddie Nketiah, that was linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, when fellow Premier League outfit, Crystal Palace made a bid for the striker that was turned down. 

Gooner Daily gives a quick overview of all 20 Premier League clubs that competed last season, reviewing the status of the players with expired contracts, now eligible to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Without further ado, here are the list of Premier League players with expired contracts

The Champions – Manchester City

After many years with the club, the Citizens have said their goodbyes to their captain, Fernandinho, that has returned home to play in his native, Brazil.

The Challengers Till the Very End – Liverpool

The biggest name from the list of personnel released by the Reds is the super sub and ever dependable, Divock Origi, that has quickly switched to AC Milan. The club has also released two unused erratic goalies, Loris Karius and Adrian, as well as some long-serving youngsters with the notable names being Ben Woodburn and Sheyi Ojo.

The Rest of the Champions League Contingent

Chelsea

The Blues got their biggest hits on their backline with the uber-consistent Antonio Rudiger leaving to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen on his way to Barcelona. The club has finally let of Danny Drinkwater after several loan spells to different clubs, then of course, the club released George McEachran, who’s the brother of the next best thing since fried plantain, Josh McEachran (remember him?)

Tottenham

Spurs don’t have any notable players that were released.

#TeamEuropa

Arsenal

After 71 goals in 206 games, Alexandre Lacazette returned to the club the Gunners signed him for, Olympique Lyonnais, on a free transfer.

Manchester United

The amount of wages that have been saved from the releases at Manchester United are astronomical, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, and Lee Grant all leaving on free transfers.

Pogba is closing in on a move to Juventus, Matic is already a confirmed player at AS Roma, joining his former boss, Jose Mourinho, Grant decided to retire, Mata can concentrate on his blog while Lingard has increased his focus on making TikTok videos.

West Ham

Long-standing captain and stalwart, Mark Noble, retired at the end of last season, but it was interesting to see the Hammers let go of the services of Andriy Yarmolenko, Angelo Ogbonna, David Martin, and Ryan Fredericks.

The Mid-Table Class

Leicester City

Eldin Jakupovic played second fiddle for the entirety of his Foxes career to Kasper Schmeichel, and it only made sense to let him go with age not being on his side. The surprising release is Daniel Amartey, that always provided cover at center back when the club was plagued with injuries in that playing position.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Danny Welbeck arrived at Brighton on a free transfer, and it seems that he’s leaving the same way. The club also released Tudor Baluta and the veteran, Dale Stephens

Wolves

The experienced Joao Moutinho has played in the upper echelons of world football before settling at Wolves, but he has been released after so many years of service. Seeing a first-team regular like Romain Saiss leave on a free transfer was shocking to say the list, but it seems Marcal‘s short sojourn to the Premier League is over, as well as backup veteran goalie, John Ruddy.

Newcastle

The Magpies don’t have any notable players that were released.

Crystal Palace

Cheikhou Kouyate served the Eagles admirably in central defense and defensive midfield, but the lanky #’8s time in England is up. Backup defender, Martin Kelly, was also released. There goes our FPL £4.0m enabler.

Brentford

Zanka couldn’t nail a consistent starting berth on the Brentford backline and has been giving his marching orders from the club. Christian Eriksen is currently out of contract with the club, but negotiations are still ongoing to retain his services.

Aston Villa

Conor Hourihane struggled to nail a first team berth and has been released from the club. The Villans have grudgingly said their goodbyes to one of the Premier League’s best divers, Ashley Young – a true Legend of the Fall. 

Relegation Survivors

Southampton

The Saints signed Gavin Bazunu from Manchester City and let go of three goalies, Fraser Forster, Alex McCarthy, and Willy Caballero. They also released their backup forward, Shane Long, and defensive regular, Jack Stephens.

Everton

There was a massive upheaval at Goodison Park, with the likes of Nicolas N’Koulou, Cenk Tosun, Fabian Delph, Andy Lonergan, Gyifl Sigurdsson, Jonjoe Kenny released from the club.

Leeds United

The Lily Whites don’t have any notable players that were released.

The Departed

Burnley

Following their relegation from the Premier League, the regular defensive pairing of James Tarkowski and Ben Mee were released. The club also let go of some old hags in Aaron Lennon, Erik Pieters and Phil Bardsley. Matej Vydra was a decent striker at best, and would be on the lookout for a new club as well.

Watford

Tom Cleverley served Watford for years following his move from Manchester United, but the average midfielder will be given a chance to ply his trade elsewhere following this release. Same applies for Ben Foster, but I reckon he’d probably retire for world peace.

Norwich City

Lukas Rupp didn’t nail a starting berth for Norwich was released by the club. I trust Teemu Pukki and his ilk to score all the goals in the Championship for a swift return to the Premier League, before yet another relegation. The Canaries positioning in and out of the Premier League remains sinusoidal at best. 

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