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Cristiano Ronaldo and Jamie Vardy among the starters in a Premier League veterans XI

Cristiano Ronaldo Jamie Vardy Oct21

The Premier League stars that are still turning it on in the veteran stages of their careers.

Liverpool midfielder James Milner has signed a new one-year deal with Reds which will take him past his 37th birthday.
The former England international was an integral part of Liverpool's side last season, making 24 Premier League appearances despite having long been eligible to play veterans' football (35).

However, Milner is not the only top-flight player to have passed the age threshold for veterans' football.

And while many of them are keepers, Planet Sport has managed to pick a pretty decent team of players who will be over 35 or turning 35 during the course of the 2022/23 season. Including, of course, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Goalkeeper - Hugo Lloris (born: Dec 26, 1986)

There were no shortage of candidates for this position, with West Ham providing two alone - Lukasz Fabianski and Darren Randolph.

Everton have just handed a new contract to 38-year-old Andy Lonergan and extended Asmir Begovic's deal (born: June 20, 1987), while the still youthful-looking Kasper Schmeichel is 35.
However, Lloris gets the nod after playing all 38 Premier League games for Tottenham last season, even playing through illness against Burnley in May.

Right-back - James Milner (born: Jan 4, 1986)

We can't have a Premier League veterans' team without including Milner who could slot in anywhere and do a seven-out-of-ten job.

Milner joined Liverpool from Man City on a free transfer in 2015 and has since gone on to make nearly 300 appearances for the Anfield club.

Centre-back - Thiago Silva (born: Sep 22, 1984)

Thiago Silva appeared 57 times for club and country last season - the most games he has ever played in a season. And at 37 he shows no sign of slowing down, or losing his love for the game, as evidenced by this clip…

Centre-back - Tim Ream (born: Oct 5, 1987)

Gary Cahill's release from Bournemouth means the 36-year-old won't get another crack at the Premier League. However, one player who will is Fulham's USA-born stopper Tim Ream.
Ream was consigned to the bench for most of the Cottagers' 2020/21 relegation season, making just seven appearances. Nevertheless, he bounced back last season, playing all 46 games as Fulham won the Championship at a canter. He turns 35 in October.

Left-back - Ashley Young (born: Jul 9, 1985)

Villa have just announced their released list, and with Young's one-year deal set to expire at the end of the month, the former England international was one of eight names on it.

Young played 22 times for Villa last season and is just seven short of 400 Premier League appearances.

However, it might not be the end of the road for the 36-year-old at Villa Park. Despite sizable wage demands, there is talk of a new deal for Young who would provide a useful option off the bench with the change to five active substitutions next season.

Midfield - Joao Moutinho (born: Sep 8, 1986)

The Wolves midfielder is out-of-contract at Molineux in the summer and is believed to want a two-year deal to stay. The West Midlands club, meanwhile, are said to only be offering one year.

A leader in the dressing room, he would be a hard man to replace having made 35 appearances for Bruno Lage's side in 2021/22.

Midfield - James McArthur (born: Oct 7, 1987)

One of ten Crystal Palace players aged over 30, McArthur made 21 appearances for Patrick Vieira's side last term. Signed for a then-club record £7million in 2014, he recently signed a one-year contract extension.

Midfield - Cristiano Ronaldo (born: Feb 5, 1985)

An embarrassment of attacking riches means Ronaldo will have to slot into the midfield of our veterans' XI though we are definitely not expecting him to get up and down the pitch.

Still he should be thankful we can find a spot for him, with the Portuguese making just 27 Premier League starts for Manchester United last season. He still scored 18, mind.

Forward - Lewis Grabban (born: Jan 12, 1988)

Grabban is back in the Premier League after his 12 goals helped Nottingham Forest reach the play-offs under Steve Cooper. Or is he?

The striker is out of contract in the summer and though he has been offered a new deal he has yet to sign it. Grabban missed the conclusion of last season through injury and will likely be a bit-part player should he stay at the City Ground. Nevertheless, his experience will be crucial as Forest try to establish themselves in the top flight.

Forward - Jamie Vardy (born: Jan 11, 1987)

Vardy ended last season with 15 goals in 25 appearances and despite worries about his age, is still Leicester City's go-to striker.

Finished the season with five goals in four games to show he was well over the hamstring and knee injuries which blighted his campaign.

Forward - Shane Long (born: Jan 22, 1987)

The Republic of Ireland forward has shown no signs of slowing down as he creeps into the veteran stage of his career.

However, while his pace may not have diminished his, goal output certainly has. After a season-high ten goals for Southampton in 2015/16, the forward has subsequently scored just 15 in the following six seasons combined.

But who needs more goals when you've got Ronaldo and Vardy in the side? Long's just in for his pressing.

READ MORE: Which Premier League club has spent the most money since Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool?

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