Picking a Premier League Rumored Transfer Targets Dream XI

With the constant flow of the modern media’s news cycle comes an ever-rotating plethora of transfer news and rumours to digest in world football.

That being the case, the following dream team has been made picking the cream of the proverbial crop amongst players to have been linked with a move to or within the Premier League.

The purpose of this article is to create as genuine a lineup of Premier League transfer targets as possible, meaning that the likelihood and length with which a player’s move has been mooted can affect their inclusion. This meaning that a player consistently linked with one or even several sides has a better chance of featuring than a superstar just rumoured to be a club’s target on one occasion.

Bear in mind the date of any particular transfer rumour will also help in determining a player’s involvement, with more recently speculated as being on the move gaining priority.

For this star-studded XI of transfer headline talent, a 3-4-3 formation was chosen as the best fit for players shortlisted, also affecting the inclusion and positioning of some.

Manager: Jose Mourinho

It’s an XI based on rumoured transfer targets, so why not have a manager soon to be once again moving to pastures new?

Or would that be pastured old in Jose Mourinho’s case?

In what’s become possibly the longest foretelling of a managerial return in Premier League history, the Portuguese boss would appear to be on his way back to Stamford Bridge.

This morning saw The Mirror allege that Mourinho has put pen to paper on a £40 million contract in West London, but nothing official has been announced yet.

With two Champions League crowns, seven divisional championships across four European leagues, an FA Cup and dozens of other accolades in his managerial tenure, Mourinho is one of the hottest commodities in the managerial spectrum right now, with just a single game left to run on his Real Madrid calendar.

Goalkeeper: Diego Lopez

Having come to Real Madrid this past winter as an immediate replacement for the injured Iker Casillas, not many will have foretold that Diego Lopez would go on to become quite so successful at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, the former Sevilla stopper has done well enough in his role that reports have appeared linking Lopez with a move to Chelsea, reports that the goalkeeper has attempted to dissolve in the media.

The Daily Mail has quoted Lopez as describing Mourinho as “a great loss” at Real and would appear to be one of the few players left actually on good terms with the manager, following rumours of a dressing room divide in Madrid.

Whatever the validity of any transfer rumours, Lopez has risen above Casillas in the goalkeeping ranks at Real, it might seem, making him a worthy guardian of our dream team’s goals.

Centre-Back: Ashley Williams

A general in Swansea City’s defence these past few seasons, the Welsh outfit’s rise to prominence has sometimes gone in tandem with Williams’ performances, relying on the club captain to lead them through tough times.

As a result, that quality has seen Williams targeted by a number of Premier League big guns, most notably Liverpool and Arsenal.

The Daily Mail recently revealed that the Gunners were close to agreeing terms with the Swans’ stalwart in a move that could see Thomas Vermaelen leave the Emirates Stadium after a disappointing season in North London.

A central defender who perfectly fits in with Michael Laudrup’s pass-centric Swansea side, Williams’ defensive presence is only boosted by his ability to bring the ball forward and a certain knack for goal to boot.

Centre-Back: Ezequiel Garay

Back in late March, the Express reported that Manchester United had agreed a deal to sign Ezequiel Garay, a driving force behind Benfica’s ultimately unsuccessful push for the Europa League and Liga Primeira titles.

However, with not much news emerging from that direction since then, one can safely assume that Garay remains a Benfica player and thus is “rumoured” at best right now.

Garay’s ability to play the ball out from the back in true Libero fashion is one of his more attractive qualities, as well as a strong tendency to position himself correctly in order to get in any vital blocks.

That being said, Garay’s aerial presence is one weaker side of his game and would need to improve in our three-man defence.

Centre-Back: Kyriakos Padadopoulos

Although the Reds have just brought Kolo Toure in as a free transfer, Liverpool are also looking to tie up a deal for Schalke’s Kyriakos Papadopoulos, according to the Mirror.

With Jamie Carragher having just retired and Danny Wilson no longer at the club, Papadopoulos’ arrival would be facilitated in order to shore up the club’s defensive ranks once more.

Despite being just 21 years of age, the young Greek international has already become a key part of Die Knappen’s backline, although a knee injury prevented him from making more than 10 Bundesliga appearances this term.

News of Papadopoulos’ departure seems only more likely after FIFA.com reported that Felipe Santana had been signed by Schalke from local rivals Dortmund.

Holding Midfield: Sven Bender

In a bid to reduce their issues in central midfield, Sven Bender was once being teed up as a target for Manchester United, although the Metro reported that Manchester City were interested in his services, also.

Having just come from an unsuccessful Champions League final, now is the time when it seems a lot of Borussia Dortmund’s stars are assessing their futures, determining whether there is any upward slope from here.

While not the most glamorous of the Black and Yellows’ force, Bender provides a key presence in the Dortmund machine and was unfortunately posed against Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben at Wembley almost a week ago.

That being said, the younger of the Bender twins remains one of the most talented central midfielders in the German top flight, most efficiently deployed in a defensive sense.

Deep-Lying Playmaker: Luka Modric

With Jose Mourinho’s time at Real Madrid allegedly coming to its end, it seems that Luka Modric’s tenure as a Real Madrid player might draw to its close, also.

It was of course Mourinho who brought the Croatian to the Spanish capital and the Daily Mail has suggested that the Portuguese boss could make Modric a primary target and take the playmaker with him to West London, should he assume his expected post at Chelsea.

However, a spanner in that particular story is the news that Manchester United might also attempt to make a move for Modric’s signature, as reported by the Express.

Once regarded as one of the finest creative midfielders in the world, Modric might be handed the seniority to show his optimum talents once more were he to return to England rather than settling for a complementary role as he has done in Madrid for the past year.

Right Midfield: Jesus Navas

It’s often the case that when a manager changes clubs, players from said manager’s previous side or league will often hold certain priority with that person when it comes to transfers.

Thus would appear to be the case with Manuel Pellegrini, rumoured by the Daily Mail to be taking over at Manchester City and making Sevilla midfielder, Jesus Navas, one of his top targets.

Having managed in La Liga for almost 10 seasons, Pellegrini has had plenty of time to examine Navas and would appear to view the Spaniard as a helping hand in taking the Premier League title back from Manchester United.

One of the most accomplished wide men in the Spanish top flight, Navas has been known to suffer from a crippling case of homesickness, but could be a great asset to the Premier League should he be able to overcome such fears.

Left Midfield: Isco

Although most capably deployed behind the striker, Isco’s versatility make him nearly as damaging a threat from either flank, thus is the player’s malleability and one of the reasons behind his Malaga success.

With Manuel Pellegrini alleged to be in contact with Manchester City, BBC Sport have reported Isco as stating that he would like to follow his “football father” and soon-to-be former manager.

City have raised interest in the young midfielder before but it would seem Pellegrini’s appointment as manager would only help their chances of bringing one of the world’s most promising playmakers to the English top flight.

Left Forward Gareth Bale

Voted the PFA Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and undoubtedly one of the most sought-after talents in world football right now, Gareth Bale’s rise to global prominence is an entertaining tale.

That being the case, there isn’t really a football power in English football who doesn’t want the Welshman’s services right now, with The Mirror reporting that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are also registering interest in the Tottenham star.

However, valued at a reported £80 million (the same price paid for Cristiano Ronaldo by Real Madrid several years ago), it’s uncertain as to just which if any side will meet Spurs’ demands this summer.

Right Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo

Widely regarded as the second-best player in the world by many and best player in the world to some, news of Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible return to Old Trafford will please many a Manchester United fan.

Earlier in May, these rumours were done a world of good by the Daily Mail reporting that Manchester United chief executive David Gill had flown to Madrid to talk with Ronaldo’s agent regarding a possible summer move.

However, the Mail has more recently reported Real president, Florentino Perez, as stating in Marca that his superstar talent would not be made available for even €1 billion.

At this stage, it would seem unlikely that any return to the Theatre of Dreams for Ronaldo would be implausible, but Red Devils worldwide can still dream.

Striker: Robert Lewandowski

Fresh off winning the Champions League final and his penultimate game in charge of Bayern Munich, Jupp Heynckes dropped a bombshell on the watching world by admitting that Robert Lewandowski “won’t be hanging around” at Borussia Dortmund.

Although The Guardian have reported Heynckes’ comments in depth, others hoping to sign the Polish international won’t be giving up on his signature until they see him holding the red of Der FCB at the Allianz Arena.

The same article mentions Manchester City and Chelsea as two who are particularly interested in the Black and Yellows’ superstar striker.

At Signal Iduna Park, Lewandowski has thrived under a system posing him as the main central threat with others flanking either side of him. Although there are alternative strikers capable of leading this team’s line, it’s Lewandowski’s Champions League form and the confidence with which he has assaulted the Bundesliga’s scoring ranks in recent seasons that gives him a sole strike role in this side.