Last week the Premier League's list of released players was published, and there is some serious talent available on for free on the market this summer. But how good a team could you put together if you wanted to start a team with no transfer budget?
For the sake of disclaiming ourselves just a little here, we are more than aware of the sweeping issues our centre-back pairing may face if this team were to come to fruition, or the fact that a certain right-midfielder isn't too fond of the rain in England, but you take what you can get for free.
Obviously, some tough decisions that had to be made, so to all those released players who didn't make the cut we thank you for coming to the trials and hopefully next season you won't be battling for a place on this team.
Goalkeeper -Willie Caballero
@ChelseaFC make shock offer for former @ManCity ace @willy_caballero according to reports. #CFC pic.twitter.com/Vv89o3OOG8
— Chelseafanpage (@Chelseafanpag11) June 7, 2017
He may have formerly held Man City's number 13, but he's our number 1, Willie was trailed closely by Victor Valdes and Shay Given but came up trumps on the basis that he still managed to clock up 26 appearances for City this season which is more than decent for any goalkeeping understudy.
His recent success in previous years (particularly his League Cup shoot-out heroics) also added to his favourability along with the fact that he is now strongly rumoured to join Chelsea for the coming season.
Right-back - Bacary Sagna
We initially had Pablo Zabaleta all day long for this spot, but during the writing of this article, the Argentinian has been snapped up by West Ham forcing us to call in Bacary Sagna instead.
Centre-back - John Terry
John Terry on Chelsea: "Hopefully one day I'll be back here as a manager, that's kind of the ambition." pic.twitter.com/LPGiWONNvc
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 29, 2017
He didn't exactly leave with dignity, but he was still a damn good player. Despite the lack of games this season (possibly not enough to even warrant a medal) we need somebody to keep the rest of the freebies organised and we couldn't possibly look any further than the Chelsea legend.
Centre-back - John O'Shea
John o Shea used to look like Peter Kay but now looks like Paddy McGuinness. Bit suss if you ask me. pic.twitter.com/8aVnhlBLBS
— Ron Hamilton (@hamiltard) June 13, 2016
O'Shea needs to be snapped up if anybody has any sense, he's got leadership qualities, a huge amount of accolades on his CV, and has played in every position on the pitch at least once.
It hasn't been the best of seasons for the Waterford man as he captained a sinking ship down to the Championship but we feel he even if he didn't do a great job in centre-back we could just flip him around to every other spot and he'd be bound to be decent at one of them.
Left-back - Gael Clichy
It's been nine years since the three-time Premier League Winner was named in the PFA Team Of The Year and this summer Man City had finally decided they had enough of him. Clichy managed 25 appearances in the league this year and overall wasn't too bad at all. He was statistically one of the most accurate passers of the ball whilst he kept his discipline in the back only picking up two yellows.
Right-midfield - Jesus Navas
BREAKING: Jesus Navas banned from polling station in Manchester after he failed to successfully put a cross in the box. pic.twitter.com/pWz1CpUjSi
— EPL Bible (@EPLBible) June 8, 2017
Navas probably won't play for our team unless we move to somewhere a bit warmer, I'll take that up with the boss. We're judging Jesus purely on the old guy that used to play for Sevilla, we'd like to think that there's still the player of old lurking and with rumours escalating of a return to Seville we might just be on the verge of seeing it.
Centre-midfield - Joey Barton
As long as he's not gambling on our games we'll take him, the midfielder would surely have one more season in him at least. Barton's career has hit turbulence since joining Rangers before returning to Burnley where it appeared he had somewhat managed to resurrect his status, that was until he done for betting on games, some of which he was involved in and was subsequently handed an 18-month suspension. But our imaginary team is not subject to League rules.
Centre-midfield - Joe Ledley
Joe Ledley knows a thing or two about bouncing back when he needs to, the Welsh midfielder fractured a bone in his foot 3 weeks before he was due to compete in Wales' first ever European Championships but he didn't let that stop him. He even postponed his own wedding when they went on their remarkable run to the semi-finals.
Despite a clear hunger to play football, Ledley had been out of favour with Alan Pardew and Big Sam with Palace this season and his release will have come as no surprise for any of their fans, but being 30 makes you somewhat of a youngster in the Free Agent XI and the former Celtic man.
Left midfield - Aroune Kone
Aroune Kone can't wait to put injury nightmare behind him as #EFC face Krasnodar http://t.co/EtQCK6Yxfw #EuropaLeague pic.twitter.com/6BYZU0hYHA
— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) December 11, 2014
The Ivorian hasn't been given the chance of late, but still just about good enough to squeeze into our eleven. We we're kind of stuck on the left wing and Kone, despite being extremely injury prone, is pretty evasive when he gets on the pitch. We're willing to give him a shot with the hope that he rekindles the kind of form that earned him the big move to Everton in the first place.
Attacking-midfield - Seb Larsson
Gossip: #SAFC's Seb Larsson has interest from Italy. Out of contract this summer https://t.co/lFrjcdCbPc pic.twitter.com/buliO5mNIA
— Craig Johns (@craig_johns) May 12, 2017
He's not as pacy as he used to be and has generally played in a more holding position this year, but we're very stuck for our striker's back up and Seb did the job under O'Neil before so we're going to have him summon the phoenix from the flames once again. No matter how old you are if you can take a free kick then that will also stand to you well, and Larsson certainly can hit them.
Striker -Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it's been an honour having you at United. So heartbreaking that it's ending this way. Have a speedy recovery, you lion 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ZWtOs0kRvf
— Suhaymah (@Suhaymaaah) June 9, 2017
The 35-year-old has truly earned his place on this team, a whopping 17 goals and 5 assists just shows despite his age he hasn't really lost it. Although he is injury prone and set to be out from anywhere between 6-12 months, the striker is worth the risk and will be a mouthwatering target for any MLS team given their summer season structure.
