5 established players who are likely to be replaced soon

There is a somewhat funny saying in my mother-tongue, Bangla, which, when roughly translated, goes, “when an old thing goes, a new one comes.” It is indeed the truth since nothing lasts forever, no matter how hard we try for that to happen.The rubber-band fights during school days, hangouts with pals after college and late night last-minute project preparations for University- all these will fade with time. New people will take those roles, they will fade too and the same thing will happen over and over again.We gaze at the world of football and we can see a similar scenario. Some world class players, who are established members of the first team, have reached the point where time is weaving its harshness on them and hence they can no longer operate at the level that is required.Hence, as a result, they are going to be replaced by younger blood and here are 5 such scenarios.

#5 Morgan Schneiderlin - Michael Carrick

Schneiderlin has been the most valuable addition to United’s midfield this season

While the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger was the more celebrated one, the Frenchman’s signature was perhaps the more important one as he is set to the pluck the chords from midfield for the Red Devils for the foreseeable future.

Michael Carrick has been, and still is, one of United’s most consistent players. The fans adore him for his work-ethic and simplicity, but with him reaching the latter part of 30s, it won’t be long before he is replaced for the Frenchman.

Carrick’s intelligent passing from deep is an asset for the Manchester club, but the former Southampton man’s sturdy presence in the deep guards the defense better and allows the likes of Ander Herrera and Schweinsteiger to be more expressive.

And it seems like van Gaal might incorporate him into the team on this factor alone as he has started in all games this season except Liverpool.

#4 Raphael Varane - Kepler Pepe

Raphael Varane is highly rated and is the ideal replacement for an ageing Pepe

This was supposed to have happened a couple of years ago, but the knee of Raphael Varane had other plans. After a one-man show against Barcelona, he was set to take over from Pepe as the first-choice center-half of the team—which he did until a knee injury kept him out for an extended period.

After his return, he wasn’t the same player and hence had to sit on the bench and wait for opportunities. Slowly and steadily, however, he is regaining the composure that he showed in the initial stages of his career and it is for this reason that he looks set to take over from Pepe once again—and this time permanently.

It is not that Pepe has done badly, but it seems as though Rafa Benitez likes Varane a lot and could eventually integrate him into the team as the season progresses as he has already featured in all the 3 games so far this season.

The former Liverpool manager is reputed to be good with rotations and this policy will see the 3 center-backs- Raphael Varane, Pepe and Sergio Ramos- been given ample amount of rest as well as playing time.

#3 Kurt Zouma - John Terry

Zouma has played well in Chelsea’s four games so far despite of the Blues’ awful start to the season

This process has already begun. As John Terry has suddenly given in to old age, Chelsea’s defense has become a laughing stock and is more easily breakable than wafers. With 12 goals conceded in 5 games, it is time for Jose Mourinho to play Zouma for Terry instead of with Terry.

The Englishman has looked out of his depth and doesn’t look like improving as the season progresses. Gary Cahill has also been equally atrocious, but he is the younger one and is quicker at reacting than his captain.

Kurt Zouma, on the other hand, is one of the most talented young defenders and looks set to carry the French defense on his shoulders, along with the supremely talented Raphael Varane, for the next decade or so.

With John Terry looking hopelessly out of sorts, Zouma gives fans a ray of optimism and has done really well in the 4 games that he played thus far—covering exceptionally well for another suddenly declining team-mate, Branislav Ivanovic, while holding his own zone strong as well.

#2 Daniele Rugani - Andrea Barzagli

Rugani impressed for Italy U21 Euros this year

Some might suggest this to be a premature call, but with just a point from 3 games, the champions of Italy have some thinking to do.

The Old Lady have struggled to undo the opponents like they have done over the last 4 years, but they have the best squad in the country by a long distance and a bit of tweaks here and there could put them back on track.

One tweak, which could have happened eventually anyway, would be to put the young and incredibly talented Daniele Rugani for the experienced, but aging, Andrea Barzagli. The latter has hit the wrong part of 30s and it is only a matter of time before he falls prey to pangs of time.

He might not yet have played for Juve this season, but in Daniele Rugani Juventus already have a defender who is not only good enough, but could take the defense to the next level—as he showed with his performances for Italy in the U21 Euros this year—by forging an immovable partnership with either one of Giorgio Chiellini or Leonardo Bonucci.

#1 Douglas Costa - Franck Ribery

With Costa being the best purchase of Bayern this season, Ribery seems to have lost his place already in the starting XI

Two years ago, Franck Ribery was among the top 3 players in the world. He was so good that Bayern Munich won the treble that season and he was convinced that only he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or that year.

However, the fact that he is playing in the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo makes him more unlucky than people whose food option is limited to only McDonalds.

With constant struggles against injuries, Pep Guardiola decided that it would be best if someone is bought as an eventual successor the star man—and the Spaniard chose Douglas Costa.

Ever since hitting the big scene with Bayern Munich, his name has exploded like the Big Bang and he looks set to have a great time with the Bavarians as he has assisted twice and scored once in the 4 times he has represented them.

And it doesn’t look like Ribery will be the first name on the team sheet anymore.