Premier League Players Who Could Play Farewell Game on Season's Final Day
The Premier League is coming to an end on Sunday, and while for many it will be a sad to see their club not play competitively for a while (again) it will also see a number of players bid farewell to the league entirely.
A number of stars have their contracts coming to an end this summer so, for many, Sunday will be their last chance for a fitting send off.
It's sure to be an emotional affair, with tears shed and goodbyes had. But who is set for pastures new? Quite a few, in fact.
Jan Vertonghen & Michel Vorm - Tottenham
Eight long years of service are finally coming to an end for Vertonghen, who will play his final game in a Spurs shirt on Sunday when the club travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.
Since joining from Ajax in 2012, the Belgian has played over 300 times for the club, scoring 12 goals and finishing as runner up in the Champions League and EFL Cup finals.
Vorm has been used fleetingly - just 48 times - since joining in 2014, with his only outing this season coming in the EFL Cup.
Adam Lallana & Andy Lonergan - Liverpool
He wasn't granted an Anfield send off, but Lallana may have a chance of playing one final game for Liverpool as the champions make the journey up to Newcastle on Sunday.
Four trophies and 178 appearances later, he will take on a new adventure at Brighton, but not without being fondly remembered for six years of service.
In regards to Lonergan, his addition was only made as a contingency plan in case of further injuries to goalkeepers, and has not played a single minute for the club this season.
Nampalys Mendy - Leicester
Signed as N'Golo Kante's replacement, injury and form have prevented Mendy from making the impact he would have liked. He played 31 times in the league last season, but has only featured seven times this term.
The Frenchman could make his 50th Foxes outing on Sunday against Manchester United.
Matty Longstaff - Newcastle
An interesting one if you're an outsider, and a worrying one if you're affiliated in any way with Newcastle. Longstaff has undoubted talent, but has been unable to agree on a new deal with his boyhood club that could spell the end of his Tyneside adventure.
Expect to see him in top flight football next season, whatever jersey he may be donning.
Scott Dann - Crystal Palace
A veteran of the game at 33 years old, Dann's career spans over 450 games, 165 of which have come with Crystal Palace.
The club's 2014/15 Player of the Year is set for a new challenge next up as he prepares for his seventh and final Eagles season to come to a close.
Andrew Surman, Simon Francis & Artur Boruc - Bournemouth
It could very easily be a doubly sad farewell for Surman at Bournemouth on Sunday, with the Cherries facing the genuine prospect of being relegated from the top flight.
The midfielder has spent more time at Dean Court than at any other club, but at 33 years of age, his career is winding down and he is set for pastures new. The same applies for Francis, whose 300+ appearances have seen him help take the club up into the top tier from League One, during which time he's cemented his place as a fan favourite.
Polish stopper Boruc is yet to feature this season, so his goodbyes will likely be made in the dressing room.
Leighton Baines - Everton
There is still a chance Baines could remain with Everton next season as he continues to mull over a contract extension offered to him. As it is now though, Sunday will be his Toffees swansong.
Since arriving from Wigan in 2007, the defender has made 419 outings for the club, scoring 39 goals, with his time spent at Goodison Park seeing him called up to play for England on 30 occasions. A legendary figure on Merseyside.
Adrian Mariappa, Jose Holebas & Heurelho Gomes - Watford
Just like Cherries contingent, Mariappa's final Watford game could go either way. Surpassing Aston Villa and staying in the division will feel like a job well done for the defender, although his final appearance could end in a tragic relegation. The club he began his career with will be hoping it's the former.
36-year-old Holebas and 39-year-old Gomes will also be departing the club following Sunday's fixture against Arsenal, between them making nearly 300 outings for the club.
Jack Rodwell, Phil Jagielka, Kieron Freeman & Leon Clarke - Sheffield United
Rodwell's inclusion is an intriguing one, since he only joined the Blades on a short-term deal in January and played a grand total of 73 minutes across two appearances. It looks unlikely that he'll be there next season, so his short and sweet time at Bramall Lane should come to an end on Sunday.
A one-year deal that was signed to bring Jagielka back to Yorkshire concludes after Sunday, Freeman will hope to be making just his third Premier League appearance of the season and journeyman Clarke will call time on four seasons with the club.
Ezequiel Schelotto & Beram Kayal - Brighton
Brighton have two players whose contracts are up this summer, with Schelotto the only one of the pair to have played for the club this season. Kayal spent time on loan at Charlton, featuring six times, while the Italian defender has made eight top flight outings.
David Silva & Claudio Bravo - Manchester City
There is a (very) strong case for Silva being the finest Spaniard ever to play in the Premier League. Sunday will be his 309th and final appearance in the English top flight, during which time he's won no less than 11 trophies. He will be sorely missed, not just by City, but by English football as a whole.
Bravo, on the other hand, never quite lived up to his billing when he arrived, losing his place in the starting lineup less than one season into his City career. He still made 61 appearances across his four seasons, but will embark on a new challenge after this season concludes.
