The summer transfer window is always an exciting time for managers and fans who welcome new players to the club ahead of the new season. However, there are also a few farewells and here are just a few players we’ve been accustomed to watching in the Premier League who’ll be gone for the upcoming 2016-17 season. Some were great, some were good and others were awful but nonetheless, they will be missed!
Kolo Toure
The former Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back was a huge personality in the Premier League. He was recently on the books at Liverpool and played a bit-part role under Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. The tall Ivorian defender was often used as a replacement for Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho but played an important squad role as the Reds reached the final of the Europa League and League Cup last season. He was a likeable figure in Merseyside and his bubbly personality will be sure to leave a hole in the Liverpool dressing room. The centre-back was part of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles which won the Premier League title in 2004, going 38 games unbeaten and alongside Sol Campbell; Toure was a crucial part of that winning side. He captained the Manchester City squad before being banned from football after a drugs scandal where the defender was proven to be guilty of taking diet pills whilst with the Blues. Overall though, Toure has had a magnificent career and he was one of Arsenal’s last remaining Invincibles still playing in the Premier League.
Graziano Pelle
One of Southampton’s star strikers last season, Pelle, has made the audacious switch to Chinese football in a big money move away from the Premier League. The Italian will become one of the world’s highest paid footballer, earning around £250k a week. He scored 19 goals for the Saints last season and after losing Sadio Mane to Liverpool, Southampton will be looking to replace both of their star men.
Mikel Arteta
The former Arsenal captain’s career came to an end last season as his contract with the Gunners ran out but the former Everton man has had a successful Premier League career. The 34 year-old midfielder was Everton’s main man before making a £10 million switch to Arsenal in 2011 after six years with the Blues. Under Arsene Wenger, he was given the captaincy armband and Arteta provided consistency and experience in the Gunners’ midfield. However, injuries plagued his final seasons and he was let go at the end of last season.
Emmanuel Adebayor
The former Tottenham and Arsenal striker has had an up and down career in the Premier League; moving from club to club in search for success. The tall Togo-born footballer has bags of pace when he uses it and can be a terrific goal-scorer when on form. He did well for Arsenal during the 2008/9 season, scoring 16 goals in 37 appearances but his lack of consistency prevented him from becoming a regular first team starter at most of his clubs. The 17 league goals he scored for Tottenham during the 2011-12 season was an indication of his talent but he was a temperamental character and he was better at making enemies than friends – much like Mario Balotelli. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Monaco, Metz and Tottenham but he spent his last season with Crystal Palace. The striker only made 12 appearances though and was released at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.
Tim Howard
The USA goal-keeper seems to have been around the Premier League for years but after signing on for Colorado Rapids, he’s finally left England. The former Manchester United keeper was one of the best shot-stoppers in his prime and spent ten great years with Everton (including a season on loan.) He was by no means an excellent keeper, but his professionalism and consistency meant his send off was often a pleasant one. Howard made 25 appearances last season for the Blues but was released following a Premier League career spanning 13 seasons.
Mark Schwarzer
Last season’s oldest player in the Premier League called time on his career when his contract ran out with Leicester City at the end of the campaign. The 43 year old has been with four clubs throughout his Premier League career, spending 11 years at Middlesborough between 1997 and 2008. He was always regarded as a ‘solid’ goalkeeper and his lack of presence will be felt this season.
Martin Skrtel
The Slovakian ended his Liverpool career on a bit of a sour note; the centre-back’s poor performances towards the end of his career alienated his relationship with fans. In his prime, he built a highly successful partnership with Daniel Agger and was voted the club’s Player of the Year in 2008 after a wonderful season. Under Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp, his form was often poor and his performance in the second-half defeat against Southampton will forever be remembered by fans as one of the worst ever in a Liverpool shirt.
Wes Brown
The former Manchester United centre-back grew up in during the era of the Class of 92 and was a hard-working footballer under Sir Alex Ferguson. He was never a great player, but was always willing to provide back-up and consistency in defence and he made over 200 league appearances for them. He made a valuable contribution during his time at Sunderland too but his career will certainly not be one remembered by many.
