What is the best out of contract Premier League XI

With only ten games of the season remaining, there is a huge number of quality players who are still yet to sign a new contract. We are going to look over the best Premier League XI who will be out of contract for the 2025/2026 season.

Formation: 4-2-4

Goalkeeper

Lukasz Fabianski

The Polish goalkeeper is not enjoying the best season, only keeping three clean sheets from 13 appearances while conceding 20 goals.

However, Lukasz Fabianski has entered his 18th season in the Premier League having begun his career at Arsenal back in 2007. He has since gone on to make 375 appearances in the Premier League, keeping 92 clean sheets and recording two assists.

The early stages of his West Ham career were terrific, with Fabianski proving the difference maker in important matches and his composure in goal allowed for him to maintain respect from both coaches and teammates.

This was a tough decision between Martin Dubravka and Lukasz Fabianski with both goalkeepers racking up good career stats in the Premier League.

Dubravka has recorded 162 appearances so far for Newcastle United since joining the club back in 2018, with the Slovakian goalkeeper managing 46 clean sheets and cementing himself second of all time goalkeepers for clean sheets at Newcastle.

Defenders

LB: Tyrick Mitchell

At 25 years old, Tyrick Mitchell is entering his sixth Premier League season, and he has been a reliable player for Crystal Palace since joining the academy back in 2015. Making his first team debut in July 2020, Mitchell has become a regular starter for Crystal Palace.

The English left back has charted 160 appearances so far Crystal Palace and at the age of 25 he still has his whole career in front of him. Through these 160 games, Mitchell has recorded 36 clean sheets and boasts a 59% tackle success rate.

He is widely regarded for his box-to-box capabilities, ensuring the crucial tackles and interceptions are made but also has proven his ability to provide attacking width with overlapping runs of the left which has ensured his legacy already as a key figure for both Palace and the England U21 team.

CB: Virgil Van Dijk

Yes, that is correct. Liverpool’s record signing and arguably one of if not the greatest defender to play in the Premier League is currently shaping up to be leaving the Reds on a free, if they cannot sort out contracts between him and other huge names at the club.

Virgil Van Dijk has racked up quite the trophy cabinet since signing for Liverpool back in 2018, as the Dutch defender collected Liverpools first ever Premier League trophy as well as Liverpool’s first Champions League since the miracle of Istanbul in 2005.

On top of club success, Van Dijk has also picked up a few solo awards, being named UEFA’s Best Player in Europe in 2019 as well as Player of the Year for the 18/19 season.

Totalling a huge 293 appearances in the Premier League, the Dutch centre back has managed 114 clean sheets on top of a 64% tackle success rate. Since his arrival to Merseyside seven years ago, he has gone on to manage a 69.9%-win rate and find the back of the net 25 times across all competitions.

While it is highly likely that Virgil Van Dijk will resign with the club in the next coming months, rumours are circling that the Dutchman’s time at Liverpool could be over. After Liverpools Champions League exit last night, Van Dijk was spotted conversing with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, further raising questions to fans over Van Dijk potentially going to PSG on a free in the summer.

CB: Fabian Schar

Although now 33 years old, Fabian Schar is still performing brilliantly and continues to be a first team choice for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle. While he is a centre back, the Swiss man is known mostly for scoring absolute screamers from impressive distances, completing a very rememorable one against Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the Premier League season in 2022/2023.

Since joining Newcastle in 2018, Schar has represented the Geordies 185 times in the Premier League, racking up a tremendous 81 wins and managing 46 clean sheets.

This season is set to be Fabian Schar’s second Wembley appearance for Newcastle United as his side have made it to the EFL Cup final where they will take on Liverpool, although the Swiss man has only ever tasted defeat at Wembley losing 2-0 to Manchester City in 2019 EFL Cup final.

With Schar only resigning a contract extension last season for one more year, Newcastle fans are concerned Schar’s time in Newcastle is over.

RB: Trent Alexander Arnold

Another pivotal player to Liverpool’s defence is out of contract at the end of the season. Widley regarded as one of the best current right backs in world football, Trent Alexander Arnold looks set on leaving Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Trent rose through the ranks at the Merseyside club, joining the academy at aged six and would make his debut for the first team 12 years later at the age of 18, as he will go down as one of the best products of the Liverpool academy.

He has since gone on to make 254 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, ensuring 72 clean sheets and a whopping 64 assists as he has becoming widely known for his heightened crossing ability. He also played a vital role in Liverpools Champions League winning campaign and for their first ever Premier League trophy.

There is no finalised renewal between Alexander Arnold and Liverpool, and it has been recently reported that Real Madrid are confident they will be the team to get the signature of the 26-year-old.

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne has put his name in the history books, cementing himself as one of the great midfielders of all time as he has been paramount to Manchester City’s success across world football.

With Pep Guardiola in charge and De Bruyne pulling the strings, Manchester City have managed four Premier Leagues in a row and Manchester City’s first ever treble with the Belgians superhuman vision and attractive passing style playing a key role.

The Belgian was also a crucial member in winning Manchester City their first ever Champions League trophy.

Recording 279 Premier League matches games for Manchester City, De Bruyne has accumulated 193 wins, on top of 70 goals and 118 assists since joining the Sky Blues.

However, De Bruyne has suffered serious injuries in recent seasons and with Manchester City not as dominant as they have been, De Bruyne may choose not to resign and look elsewhere as the midfielder is not getting any younger.

Ilkay Gundogan

De Bruyne’s midfielder partner is also facing his contract expiring with the season drawing to an end.

Ilkay Gundogan racked up a whopping 304 matches for Manchester City after signing for the team back in July 2016, scoring 60 goals and being the centre piece to encourage Manchester City on their journey to success.

The German midfielder was also the captain that led Manchester City to a continental treble in the 2022/2023 season, as Gundagon became a Champions League winner, a fifth time Premier League champion and a two-time FA Cup champion.

After a short trip in Barcelona, Gundogan returned to the Manchester giants on a one season option where he has since recorded 24 Premier League appearances and is still without a goal as Manchester City have lost their dominant stature, sitting fifth in the Premier League.

With tough competition in his spot, Gundogan has ensured he can remain on the team and with the positive impact he has brought to the club over the years, it is likely he will resign and continue at the Etihad.

Forwards

LW: Adama Traore

While not technically a left winger, the right winger option is simply a no brainer so Traore is pushed to the left.

Only 29 years of age, Spanish winger Adama Traore is on his ninth season in the Premier League. Competing for the likes of Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers and now Fulham, Traore has showcased an incredible mix of speed and power to cement himself as a danger down the flanks.

While he has been critiqued for inconsistency and decision-making, the Spanish forward has made 237 appearances and has become a regular starter for Fulham an has encouraged them to success as they sit tenth in the league, separated from Europe by five points.

Reports have said that Fulham are keen to offer Traore a long-term deal as they want to secure the Spaniard for the future and wit his contribution this season, it is likely a deal will be done. However, there is still no announcement that negotiations have begun.

ST: Raul Jimenez

Similar to Adam Traore, Raul Jimenez enjoyed success at Wolves before making the move to Fulham. Competing in his ninth season in the Premier League, Jimenez is well regarded for his ability in the air and his composure in the box, as the Mexican began turning heads for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Jimenez would suffer a serious head injury in November 2020 which saw him out of action for several months. Returning to Wolves, Jimenez was unable to recapture his previous form and secured a move to Fulham.

He has regained his confidence at Fulham, currently hitting the ten-goal mark for the first time since the 2019/2020 season as he continues to battle with Rodrigo Muniz for starting striker.

With over 150 appearances in the league and continued success for Fulham, it is likely that Raul Jimenez will continue his journey at Craven Cottage.

ST: Jamie Vardy

Who can forget that unforgettable season in 2015/2016 when Leicester won the Premier League, and it was this man who was at the helm.

38-year-old Jamie Vardy has spent 11 years at Leicester City and has cemented himself in the history books for the club. While his age is certainly a factor, Vardy is continuing to prove he still has the quality to compete in the Premier League.

Recording 333 appearances in the Premier League, the English forward has found the back of the net on 143 different occasions on top of holding the record for scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games, besting the record set by his current manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

It is uncertain as to whether Jamie Vardy could consider retirement at the end of the season, Vardy has adapted his game around to ensure that his recovery is better as his body is getting older. He has still got what it takes to compete in the Premier League but with Leicester facing the drop, is Vardy’s time over.

RW: Mohamed Salah

Capping off this list is one of if not the greatest player in world football currently, Mohamed Salah.

‘The Egyptian King’ has been running riot in the Premier League since his arrival in Merseyside in 2017. Having been regarded as a Premier League flop after his short stint at Chelsea, Liverpool received a completely different player who has since become their franchise player, following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard and Ian Rush.

Instantly becoming a fan favourite, Salah managed 32 goals from 36 Premier league appearances as he hit the ground running and this was only the beginning of what has been a fantastic career for the Reds.

Salah currently boasts a record of 292 Premier League appearances with 184 goals. He has also in that time become a Premier League winner, has the joint most Player Of the Months and has won the Premier League golden boot on three separate occasions (soon to be four).

This season is set to finish his best, breaking multiple records and has racked up a resounding 44 goal contributions so far in the Premier League with the next closest being 24 for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.

Liverpool have some it names who are without a contract for next season so it will be interesting to see what is to be the future of the Reds as they are cruising to their second Premier League title.