Summer Transfers: 1 Starter Each English Premier League Club Will Sell

It’s always fun to speculate.

The press have done it for years upon years, and we fans love talking about fantasy transfers.

With 10 games or fewer left for every Premier League team, we’re fast approaching the season run-in.

Which means the summer transfer window will be upon us in a flash, and we’ll see players leave our clubs in no time.

Now let’s consider some first-teamers who might just be on their way out.

Selection Criteria

First, a few words on who exactly are eligible to make this list.

Seeing as we are considering players clubs will “sell,” on-loan players are not eligible.

As for “starters,” since squad rotation is so popular these days, I went with players that seem to have relatively prominent roles in their teams and, in case they start on the bench, usually come on as substitutes. For example, Maxi Rodriguez of Liverpool wouldn’t fit the bill here, while Dirk Kuyt would.

Arsenal: Johan Djourou

If Jan Vertonghen has his way and moves to Arsenal this summer, then surely there’s no place left for Johan Djourou in Arsene Wenger’s defence.

He’d be fifth choice behind Thomas Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker—and, in all honesty, he shouldn’t be anywhere near the first 11 of a Top Four challenger.

Aston Villa: Stephen Ireland

What happened to the Stephen Ireland of old?

From Manchester City hero to Aston Villa reject, Ireland seems to be charting a rather quick downfall in his footballing career. It won’t be a surprise to see him leave in the summer, given his poor performances and commitment this season.

Blackburn: Junior Hoilett

Regardless of whether Blackburn do end up relegated, it will be a near miracle if they manage to keep hold of star winger Junior Hoilett.

Hoillett’s contract is up in the summer and he would be able to leave for a bargain price—and many teams are interested. 

Bolton: Mark Davies

While there is no standout first-team candidate to leave the Reebok Stadium, Mark Davies might just be their most marketable asset.

Linked with other Premier League clubs prior to his Bolton switch, he would have suitors in the top flight—especially if Bolton get relegated. He's already been linked with Newcastle and West Brom.

Chelsea: Didier Drogba

Restoring Didier Drogba to Chelsea’s lineup has been an undoubted success for caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo—but Drogba’s contract is up at the end of the season.

Former teammate Nicolas Anelka, currently with Shanghai Shenhua, has already made public advances towards Drogba, but rest assured there will be plenty of suitors for the big striker.

Everton: John Heitinga

For a Dutch international, John Heitinga sure doesn’t get much regular playing time.

Heitinga has had to kick his heels on the bench at times while David Moyes goes with a central defensive partnership of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin. With Jack Rodwell’s rise in the defensive midfield position, Heitinga might find himself permanently out of the first team—and angle for a move.

Fulham: Moussa Dembele

Alongside Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembele has been a star for Fulham this season.

Having been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, Dembele’s dynamic and creative style would attract many suitors—but his loss would be keenly felt.

Liverpool: Dirk Kuyt

As Kenny Dalglish aims to usher in a new guard at Liverpool, Dirk Kuyt has found himself the victim of his team’s transition.

He’s been vocal about his lack of game time, and for good reason—he’s made vital contributions in both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup this season. But he might have to leave Anfield to fulfill his wish for regular first-team football.

Manchester City: Aleksandar Kolarov

Recently linked with Juventus and Barcelona, Aleksandar Kolarov has been battling it out with Gael Clichy for Manchester City’s left-back spot this season, and has chipped in with several spectacular goals.

But as Roberto Mancini aims to further improve his squad, left-back might be a position to sacrifice—especially since Kolarov has the potential to add to City’s transfer warchest.

Manchester United: Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans might be enjoying a recent spell in Manchester United’s first team, but with Nemanja Vidic to come back from a long-term injury, and Phil Jones and Chris Smalling waiting in the wings, he might yet find himself out of first-team reckoning soon.

It’s not unfeasible that he could go down a similar path as John O’Shea and Wes Brown—decent defenders in their own right, but not good enough at the highest level. 

Newcastle: Demba Ba

Demba Ba’s cheap, cheap transfer release clause is the stuff of legend.

And he’s been on such fine form this season that it’s unthinkable that no big teams would come calling for him. Hanging on to him might prove Newcastle’s best transfer business this summer.

Norwich: Anthony Pilkington

Having already been linked with Liverpool after a solid first season in the Premier League, Anthony Pilkington continues to impress with new boys Norwich.

While relegation is less likely now, Pilkington may feel the desire to move should any big club show genuine interest.

Queens Park Rangers: Djibril Cisse

With 10 games to go, QPR find themselves in the drop zone in an alarming run of form. Relegation might befall one of the three promoted teams after all.

And since none of their January signings had relegation release clauses written in their contracts, QPR might need to let go of some of their big earners—starting with Djibril Cisse.

Stoke: Kenwyne Jones

Kenwyne Jones seemed perfect for Stoke. But it hasn’t worked out, and while he’s found first-team action this season, he’s only scored a single league goal.

With other options like Peter Crouch, Cameron Jerome and Jonathan Walters, Jones could find himself on his way out of the Britannica.

Sunderland: Stephane Sessegnon

A stellar season from Stephane Sessegnon has seen him attract interest from big clubs around Europe.

While Martin O’Neill has shown that Sunderland might be able to enjoy a Villa-like rise to become a consistent competitor in the Premier League, Sessegnon might find the calls from a European giant too hard to turn down.

Swansea: Scott Sinclair

As Swansea have made their splash this season, so too has former Chelsea trainee Scott Sinclair.

His performances on the wing for Swansea have attracted interest from Liverpool, and with the Reds looking short of options on the flanks, they could very well turn to Sinclair.

Tottenham: Jermain Defoe

It’s been an up-and-down season for Jermain Defoe. Granted fewer opportunities than seasons past, he has failed to show his clinicality when he’s been given a chance.

With Tottenham proving lethal with a powerful striker in the style of Emmanuel Adebayor and with big names rumored to be on their way, Defoe could find himself a casualty in the Spurs revolution. 

West Brom: Peter Odemwingie

Having started the season poorly, Peter Odemwingie seemed to be on the way out of West Brom. But a recent resurgence in form has seen him attract the likes of Arsenal.

Whether it’s because of his inconsistency or because of his ability when he’s on form, Odemwingie might be in his final season at the Hawthorns.

Wigan: Victor Moses

Now favorites for the drop, Wigan have a number of players in their ranks who would immediately command interest from the top flight.

Among them is Victor Moses, who has shown enough during his time at the JJB to command interest from several Premier League teams.

Wolves: Steven Fletcher

And, finally, just like Wigan, Wolves find themselves edging ever closer to the drop, and also have a number of marketable stars.

Perhaps their sole shining light this season, Steven Fletcher, might be their first major departure should they find themselves in the bottom three come May.

Afterthoughts

Would you have listed any other options instead? Let’s hear your picks—and, of course, keep in mind the selection criteria of starters on permanent contracts.

If you liked this article, you might also be interested in 1 Signing for Each of the Big 6 and 10 EPL Stars You Didn’t Know Were Still Playing. Please also check out my writer’s profile, where you can find more of my work, and my blog, The Red Armchair, for Liverpool match reactions and opinions.