The ultimate XI we wish we’d seen in the Premier League…
The Daily Mail recently revealed that Wesley Sneijder rejected the chance to join Manchester United in the summer because he wanted to play Champions League football. But he’s not the only player football purists wish they could have seen in England.
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Check out our ultimate XI of current players that now look set to complete their careers without ever playing in the Premier League:
GK) Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
The veteran Italian goalkeeper – arguably one of the best shot stoppers of all time – has been with Juventus since 2001, and at the age of 36 will surely finish his career in his homeland.
RB) Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Germany’s World Cup winning captain is among the contenders for the best right back of all time, but has never looked likely to leave Bayern Munich, whom he joined in 1995 at the age of 12.
LB) Eric Abidal (Olympiakos)
An underrated cog in Barcelona’s well-oiled machine of dominance between 2007 and 2013, now finishing his career in Greece at the age of 35.
CB) Thiago Silva (Paris Saint Germain)
One of the best central defenders of the modern era, Brazil’s captain looks well settled and PSG, and if he were to move again it would likely be home to Brazil before his retirement.
CM) Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray)
Sneijder has been regularly linked with United over the years, but a move has never materialised. The Dutchman has thrived in Turkey after spells with Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
CM) Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Both he, and his midfield partner Xavi Hernandez would be equally adept for this slot. Both players are about as likely to leave Barcelona for the Premier League as they are to play in the Conference.
CM) Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
The midfield maestro who just seems to get better and better with age. But surely at 35, any chance of him ever leaving Italy has evaporated. The ex-AC Milan and Juventus star will stay in Turin.
RW) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Pushed out wide in this team, but the Argentine magician has proved effective all over the pitch for both club and country over the years. There is little doubt that he will finish his career with Barcelona.
LW) Ronaldinho (Queretaro)
How we would have loved the rumours linking the Brazilian icon with a move to Stoke City or Basingstoke Town this summer to prove true. Alas, the former Barcelona star moved to Mexico instead, and the chance of ever seeing him play for an English club surely went with him.
ST) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain)
He’s played in Sweden, Holland, Italy, Spain and France – and proved a success everywhere he’s been – but it seems he will never test his strength in the Premier League. Oh, to think what that would have been like!
ST) Francesco Totti (Roma)
The Italian legend is a true one-club man having been with Roma since 1989 as a youth team player. He will go down in history as one of football’s most loyal servants, as well as being an excellent player.
SEE ALSO: The Best Manchester United players of all time