The Premier League has been determined to complete the 2019-20 season ever since it was put on hold in mid-March, but one of the biggest sporting obstacles has been the issue of out of contract players.
No fewer than 66 players have deals up on 30 June and could, as things stand, walk away for free on that date.
Given that the 2019-20 campaign is not expected to be finished until the end of July, that is clearly problematic.
Progress has been made in this area, though. It has now been announced that players will be able to sign short-term extensions to remain with their present employers beyond the end of June.
There is no guarantee that every player will opt to do so, however, and Premier League clubs will have to deal with the issue on a case-by-case basis. In light of that, here are 10 key players who are out of contract this summer.
Willian (Chelsea)
Willian had initially hoped to remain at Chelsea beyond this season, but he will almost certainly be playing his football elsewhere by the time 2020-21 rolls around.
Arsenal and Tottenham are among those who have been linked with the Brazilian. For now, though, he is an integral part of Frank Lampard’s squad, having made 28 outings in the Premier League this term.
Those appearances have yielded five goals and five assists, and Lampard will be loath to lose him prematurely as Chelsea battle for Champions League qualification.
David Silva (Manchester City)
Silva announced last summer that the 2019-20 season would be his last in a City shirt after 10 years of magnificent service.
The Spaniard will not be going out on a domestic high with another Premier League title, although Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites with bookmakers to win the Champions League – assuming it is able to resume.
Silva has not been quite as instrumental to City this term as in previous years, but he has still racked up 19 Premier League appearances.
The 34-year-old will be keen to avoid his decade-long stay at the Etihad Stadium ending with a whimper.
Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
Scotland winger Fraser was linked with a move away from Bournemouth last summer but ultimately stayed put. It has been clear since then, however, that he intends to seek pastures new when he’s out of contract.
Fraser was one of the Premier League’s best performers outside of the big six last term, but he has not been as productive this time around.
Nevertheless, Bournemouth will hope he agrees to a temporary extension as they battle against relegation.
John Lundstram (Sheffield United)
Sheffield United have undoubtedly been the surprise package of the Premier League season. Widely tipped for relegation following their promotion in 2018-19, Chris Wilder’s men have instead mounted a challenge for Europe.
Lundstram has been terrific in the middle of the park, with his trademark runs into the box producing four goals. Whether or not he will still be plying his trade Bramall Lane next season remains to be seen.
Ashley Westwood (Burnley)
Westwood may not be a particularly glamorous player, but is one of Sean Dyche’s trusted lieutenants at Turf Moor.
The midfielder has missed only three games for Burnley this term, helping them steer clear of relegation trouble.
Unlike many players on this out of contract list, Westwood will probably not be leaving his club this summer.
Burnley have the option of a one-year extension and were reportedly keen to trigger it earlier this year, although there has not yet been any official announcement.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Vertonghen has been an excellent player for Spurs in the last eight years, but his time at the club looks to be nearing the end.
His long-time centre-back partner Toby Alderweireld signed a new contract earlier this season, but Vertonghen’s talks with the club have not been as fruitful.
The Belgian now looks set to depart before the start of next term, but he may yet agree to extend his deal through to the end of 2019-20.
Adam Lallana (Liverpool)
An important part of Jurgen Klopp’s team early in his Anfield tenure, Lallana is a fringe member of the Liverpool squad these days.
Although he has made 15 outings in the Premier League in 2019-20, only three of those have come from the start of a match. Lallana is also a confirmed departure from Merseyside.
He is only 32 and still has a few years of football left in his legs. Departing Anfield this summer with a Premier League winner’s medal around his neck would be the perfect sign-off for Lallana.
Shane Long (Southampton)
Save for a 21-goal season with Reading, Long has never been the most prolific of strikers. Yet his speed and hard-running style make him a valued member of the Southampton squad led by Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Long has proved himself a fine foil for Danny Ings this term, but Saints are unlikely to offer him another year’s contract given that he is now 33.
Leighton Baines (Everton)
Everton’s long-serving left-back is approaching the end of his career. The 35-year-old has been a brilliant player for the Toffees during his 13-year stay, but he’s started just three times in the Premier League this term.
Now a deputy to Luca Digne, Baines is nevertheless an important player within the Everton dressing room, where his leadership and influence have been appreciated by successive managers at Goodison Park.
Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea)
Chelsea are perhaps the most affected Premier League club, with Willian, Pedro and Olivier Giroud all set to become free agents at the start of July. Check out a full list of departing players we compiled earlier this year.
Pedro may not be an automatic pick at Stamford Bridge these days, but he is still a player Chelsea will want to call upon should the campaign run beyond the end of June.
“We have big players in that position so that’s something I’m looking at very carefully,” Lampard said on Sunday.
“The ones out of contract here have been great servants for the club and have a lot of feeling for the club, but of course they will be concerned about themselves in terms of how they are now, and if pre-season is rushed they’ll want to make sure they’re all right.”
