The Top 15 Premier League players well past their 'sell by date'

Football FanCast

By Taylor-Williams

Published May 12, 2012

FFC

For as many precocious and fledgling talents coming through in the Premier League this term, there is as many wily old heads of experience and those battling competitors that continue to struggle on despite being written off in several quarters as calamitous, past it and playing beyond their sell by date. Let’s be honest; football is a relatively short career and who can blame the elder pros for sticking around a little while longer, earning a decent wage and engaging in the game they love.

Nevertheless, this is where the rose tinted picture stops for the following fifteen pros. Maintaining their playing days yes, but in terms of performances, it has been a downward spiral for some, with tired legs, lacklustre performances and consistency seen a far rarer basis than more prosperous times in their career.

Injury has curtailed some careers, but the willingness to remain contracted despite a cynical essence of embracement from the supporter’s shows some players might be hanging on just too long.

Whilst Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and even Kevin Phillips down in the Championship continue to roll back the years with their ever-consistent displays, for these guys they might be better sitting up with a cup of tea spectating Match of the Day rather than watching themselves back from the afternoons action. So without further ado, here are the top 15 ‘past it’ Premier League pros.