20 Soon-to-Be out-of-Contract Players Who Are Fighting for Their Careers

Abou Diaby, Didier Drogba and Sami Khedira are just three footballers who are looking to extend their careers.

Here are 20 soon-to-be out-of-contract players who are fighting for their careers.

Please note this important point:

• High-profile free agents Alberto Bueno, Andre Ayew, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Dani Alves, Danny Ings, James Milner et al. have been excluded.

Why? This slideshow aims to highlight footballers who lack leverage.

The 20 footballers are subjectively ranked via:

• Current playing ability.
• Potential playing ability.

Honourable Mentions

English-Nigerian left attacking midfielder Sammy Ameobi, 22, Newcastle United.

English centre-back Micah Richards, 26, Manchester City.

Austrian defensive midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger, 27, Mainz.

French defensive midfielder Rio Mavuba, 31, Lille.

Northern Irish centre-back Gareth McAuley, 35, West Bromwich Albion.        

20. Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United)

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Newcastle United's Argentine right attacking midfielder/central midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, 31, is an inspiration having overcome testicular cancer.

However, Jonas is unsure of his long-term status at Newcastle United.

"I love Eminem, so I put part of a song on my arm and I put the date. It says: 'I am alive again, more alive than I have been in my whole entire life'," Jonas said, per BBC Sport's Football Focus.

"At present, I am with Newcastle United and have two months to finish the season. When the season finishes, I start thinking about the future."

When you consider Jonas beating cancer, you surmise he will continue to bounce back as he hopes to elongate his top-flight football career.

19. Abou Diaby (Arsenal)

Arsenal's French central midfielder Abou Diaby, 28, has been a Gunner since 2006. 

His body betrayed him, which is something Owen Hargreaves can understand.

Unlike Hargreaves, who was world class, Diaby never reached that status. This is probably why Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has persisted with Diaby.

If Diaby is to receive a new contract, it has to be pay-per-play.

18. Khalid Boulahrouz (Feyenoord)

Feyenoord's Dutch right/centre-back Khalid Boulahrouz, 33, is mediocre and lacks upside.

It makes more sense for Feyenoord to let Rick Karsdorp familiarise himself at right-back, while going with Sven van Beek and Terence Kongolo at centre-back.

Boulahrouz should consider playing in the A-League, which has been a destination for Dutch footballers, a la Kew Jaliens, Rob Wielaert, Romeo Castelen et al.

17. Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham Hotspur)

What you love about Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese centre-forward Emmanuel Adebayor, 31, is he isn't fake. 

He will tell you how he really feels and will carry on with his life not caring about how fortunate he is to be a professional footballer. 

Adebayor seemingly plays his best when he is looking for a new contract.

Once he secures job security, it is back to cruise mode. 

Did you know he once scored 30 goals in a season for Arsenal?

He could have been one of the most prolific scorers of his generation but opted for minimal effort, maximum reward.

Jeremy Wilson at The Telegraph reported Adebayor's contract "is believed to expire in 2015."

However, Adebayor tweeted he has a "year to go" on his current contract early in April.

16. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Nikola Solic/Associated Press

Chelsea's Ivorian centre-forward Didier Drogba, 37, is eking out his Premier League career.

It seems Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is giving Drogba the benefit of the doubt due to sentimental reasons.

Drogba has featured in 511 minutes over 23 Premier League games this season, invaluable playing time which could have furthered the development of Dominic Solanke, Isaiah Brown and Tammy Abraham.

15. Simone Pepe (Juventus)

Juventus' Italian right-forward Simone Pepe, 31, has not started a Serie A game since the 2011/12 season.

"The last time I played, there were still video cassettes," Pepe said, per JTV (h/t Football Italia). "During these two and a half years I've had two kids, so I've been busy, since I couldn't do anything."

Juventus need more reliable squad players than Pepe, who may have to consider playing abroad, like in Major League Soccer.

14. Rafael Van Der Vaart (Hamburg)

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Hamburg's Dutch central attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, 32, has generally played in a deeper position this season. 

Van der Vaart has been a step behind play, hence why Hamburg will not renew his expiring contract.

"It is no problem and no surprise for me [that Hamburg won't extend my contract]. Maybe it is better for both sides," Van der Vaart said, per Bild (h/t Deutsche Presse-Agentur). "There were signals from both sides that we would part company." 

He is currently placed at No. 204 in Kicker's Bundesliga player rankings.

13. Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Inter Milan's Italian centre-back Andrea Ranocchia, 27, is a gawky defender, who has somehow mustered up five seasons as a Nerazzurri player.

According to Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio, the club have agreed a new deal with Ranocchia with the explanation being, per Inter Milan's twitter account: "Yes, we've already shaken hands over it."

Ranocchia better hope Inter Milan honour their word because at times throughout this season he does not look like a Serie A-standard centre-back.

He must improve his performances.

12. Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa's Dutch centre-back Ron Vlaar, 30, has durability issues which have impacted his ability to defend at a high level. 

Football can be fickle because he had a solid 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament.

This is why Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has challenged Vlaar.

"You are always looking at what people are doing now rather than a few months ago," Sherwood said, per Gregg Evans at the Birmingham Mail. "Without getting on the pitch, he's not going to be an attractive proposition to anybody."

11. Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid's German defensive midfielder Sami Khedira, 28, is a world-class footballer when he is playing without pain and is fully fit.

However, his dynamic playing style has taken its toll.

His body is waving the white flag, which is why it is a red flag for suitors interested in Khedira.

It is risky to gamble that he will play out an entire season.

Khedira has confirmed his decision to leave Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, per Kicker (h/t the Guardian).

10. Sergio Romero (Sampdoria)

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Sampdoria's Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, 28, has failed to replicate his 2014 FIFA World Cup heroics at club level.

Romero becoming a breakout star was reminiscent of compatriots Carlos Roa and Sergio Goycochea.

What connects all three is starring at the FIFA World Cup and then having a nondescript club career.

Romero is backing up Emiliano Viviano, who is on loan from Palermo and was a squad player at Arsenal.

9. Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

Liverpool's English right/left-back Glen Johnson, 30, has scored once and is yet to provide an assist in 977 minutes over 15 Premier League games this season.

So much for being an attacking threat.

At the back, he is suspect, and while he is a decent player, Liverpool need to move on. 

He has reached his ceiling and will only decline from now on.

8. Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon)

Lyon's French central attacking midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, 28, is flaming out.

He is benefiting from playing alongside Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir, as opposed to being an indispensable part of Lyon.

To think Gourcuff was once considered Zinedine Zidane 2.0.

Inconsistency, injuries and a confidence crisis mean it is difficult to envision Gourcuff grinding another season in Europe's elite leagues, especially when he will have to take another pay cut.

Why not play in a foreign league where he will be overpaid and be treated like a star?

How about the Chinese Super League?

7. Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina)

Fiorentina's Italian central midfielder Alberto Aquilani, 30, has gone from a €23.3/£20 million-valued footballer to a serviceable player.

Aquilani is neither a ball winner, a creative outlet nor a dominant orchestrator of play like team-mate Milan Badelj.

It would not be a surprise if Fiorentina offer Aquilani reduced wages to keep him as a rotation player.

6. Stephane Mbia (Sevilla)

Sevilla's Cameroonian defensive midfielder Stephane Mbia, 28, is a flawed footballer, but he should be able to get another contract.

Defensively, he is a liability. 

He is constantly out of position which is why he overcompensates in trying to win back the ball. He has completed 26 tackles while conceding 39 fouls which is inefficient. 

Mbia is better playing more forward where he can sneak in goals. 

He is relaxed about the uncertain future he faces.

"I'm just enjoying the moment," Mbia said, per Nick Aitken at UEFA.com. "I want to wait until the end of the season then we'll see."

5. Zakaria Bakkali (PSV Eindhoven)

PSV Eindhoven's Belgian right-forward Zakaria Bakkali, 19, was overhyped based on one sensational game.

He scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over NEC Nijmegen, and seemingly he bought into his own hype, as opposed to putting his head down and working hard. 

Bakkali turning down a contract extension is why he has been frozen out of the first team. 

It is detrimental to his development that he has not done anything substantial since the NEC Nijmegen game, which was August 10, 2013.

4. Mustafa Amini (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund's Australian defensive midfielder Mustafa Amini, 21, has yet to start a Bundesliga game.

He has been playing for Borussia Dortmund II and will be moving on to a team willing to give him more chances.

"I have been in Germany a while now, I've learned my trade and have experienced life at a top club," Amini said, per David Lewis at SBS. "My next move has to be about playing first-team football in Europe at a club where I can stamp my mark."

Amini is placed at No. 166 in Kicker's 3. Liga player rankings.

That said, Amini is technically excellent and possesses outstanding passing vision.

3. Jon Flanagan (Liverpool)

Liverpool's English left/right-back Jon Flanagan, 22, is working his way back to fitness after knee surgery.

Flanagan averaged 3.7 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per 90 minutes last season.

While he does not look like an elite full-back, he is a gritty and tough footballer who should have a lengthy career in the Premier League if his body holds up.

Despite not playing a single minute for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, Flanagan "hasn't been able to reach an agreement with the club over wages," per James Pearce and Kristian Walsh at the Liverpool Echo.

It is brazen how Flanagan presumably wants more money when he is devoid of form and fitness.

2. Tommy Oar (Utrecht)

Utrecht's Australian left-forward Tommy Oar, 23, is in and out of the first team after informing the Eredivisie club that he will run down his contract.

"What's happening now is not really surprising, but of course it's disappointing and frustrating," Oar said, per David Lewis at SBS. "There are some offers there for me and I am hopeful that sooner rather than later things will be sorted out."

Oar is the most prolific and incisive passer in the Eredivisie, leading the league in key passes per game (3.2).

Unable to finish the season playing week in, week out is not ideal for Oar.

1. Mitchell Weiser (Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich's German right-winger Mitchell Weiser, 20, has not turned out to be the star many projected him to be.

When Bayern Munich II were preparing against Fortuna Koln during the 2014 Regionalliga play-off, Weiser was on vacation.

He should have taken the initiative to play at a lower level to increase his reps. 

Also, there are concerns over Weiser's durability having endured knee ligament and ankle problems.

Despite question marks over Weiser's dedication and his fitness, he has been handy.

In seven Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich, he has scored once and provided two assists this season.

Kicker (h/t a tweet via Bleacher Report's German football correspondent Clark Whitney) are reporting that Bayern Munich will not extend Weiser's contract.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.