5. Daniele De Rossi – Roma
It’s always handy having a World Cup winner in the squad and De Rossi’s availability over the summer came as a shock.
The 30-year-old Italian international has been linked with a switch to Chelsea over the summer window and they have been tipped to make a big money big at some point in the near future. De Rossi finished the 2012-13 season with 29 appearances in all competitions but was often dropped and criticised by then coach Zdenek Zeman, causing him to reassess his options and consider a move away from the side where he has spent his entire career.
Many thought he would follow in the footsteps of Francesco Totti and stay with the Roman side for his entire career – and he still might, but whereas Totti never really looked as though he would go there is a genuine concern that De Rossi will. Mourinho has been a noted fan of De Rossi since his time in Italy, first attempting to sign him during his reign at Inter Milan and then again with Real Madrid.
However, though he may have stayed, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he will still be there in January, and Wenger would be landing himself a truly world class protector for the back four.